Ashlyn Harris is making a huge play at honesty.
The former professional soccer player has lately shared insights into her challenging history, discussing her abuse of amphetamines during her time grappling with sports-related injuries at the University of North Carolina.
Ashlyn shared on the March 21 episode of the Question Everything with Danielle Robay podcast that she had developed a severe addiction to Adderall and abused it excessively. She admitted to taking it frequently, often neglecting sleep, which became quite extreme. She described her behavior as reckless, fearing she might suffer a heart attack. She confessed to crushing and snorting the drug, acknowledging that this habit was causing significant issues for her.
39-years-old and publicly acknowledged her relationship with “One Tree Hill” actress Sophia Bush in April 2024. She continued discussing her college soccer days, stating, “I thought, ‘This helps me lose weight. It reduces my hunger.’ Unfortunately, it was a very harmful period for me as it was the first time I faced challenges to my character due to recurring injuries.
However, amidst her battle with addiction during her recovery from numerous ACL and labrum injuries, Ashlyn’s college soccer coach, Anson Dorrance, stood by her side offering his support.
She shared that the surroundings became extremely dim, requiring significant changes, to which Anson suggested reading books. One of these books was titled “Man’s Search for Meaning“, focusing on the theme of enduring hardship and finding new perspectives. This book profoundly impacted her life.
Following her time at college, the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner is now dedicated to applying the valuable insights she gained towards creating a brighter future for her young children: Sloane, aged 4, and Ocean, aged 2, whom she co-parents with former spouse Ali Krieger.
Ashlyn expressed, “I’ve experienced a great deal of pain and struggle in my life, leaving me with emotional wounds and physical scars. I don’t wish to burden my children with these experiences.” She continued, “When you become a mother, you’re shaping the future generation. You need to organize your life because they observe and absorb everything around them.
She expressed, “What I aim for is equipping my children with the finest resources so they can become whoever they aspire to be. However, at the heart of it all, they must be decent human beings. They need to be kind individuals. The way they contribute to their community, the support they offer to their friends, that truly makes a difference.
Read on for more stars who have been open about their personal struggles with addiction.
The twice-crowned FIFA Women’s World Cup winner has been candid about her abuse of Adderall as she grappled with injuries during her university soccer years.
She revealed on the Question Everything with Danielle Robay podcast that she had developed an intense addiction to Adderall and was abusing it excessively. She admitted to taking it constantly, even forgoing sleep for days at a time. She described her behavior as reckless, fearing she might have a heart attack. She confessed to crushing and snorting the drug, acknowledging that this was a significant issue.
However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.
She clarified, “It became incredibly dark, necessitating significant changes.” Anson often asked her to read books, and she began one titled “Man’s Search for Meaning” which explores the theme of suffering, redefining it, and remarkably altered her life.
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
In a recent episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast on March 4th, Jax opened up about his struggles and admitted, “I am dealing with an addiction.” He confessed that he has problems with substances, particularly cocaine, and finding the courage to verbalize it is challenging for him.
He said, “This issue has been a part of my life intermittently since I turned 23, and now I’m 45 years old. At certain points, I managed to step away from it, but at other times, I found myself becoming deeply involved with it.
Apart from quitting cocaine, Jax chose to abstain from alcohol too, stating, “I don’t believe I have a drinking problem per se, but they often go together. I can’t use cocaine without having a drink first. Consequently, I decided to give up both substances. I am happy to announce that I’ve been sober for 82, 83 days now, which is the longest stretch in my life without either of them.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: In 2022, I, much like Tom Holland in his portrayal of Spider-Man, made a conscious decision to quit alcohol after recognizing its hold over me. It wasn’t something I was proud of, but admitting the truth was essential. I was undeniably addicted, and if someone tells you they have a beer every day, chances are they might be grappling with a similar issue. On the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, I shared my journey, acknowledging that I was enslaved to the drink, and I’m not afraid to admit it.
Then, you’d find yourself thinking, ‘Oh, I wish I hadn’t had that extra drink,'” the actor went on. “The next morning, you’re left with a pounding headache.
After adopting the new lifestyle, Holland observed that he “has been experiencing improved sleep quality” and “manages challenges more effectively.
As an over-the-moon fan, I’d rephrase it like this: “On-set hiccups that usually sent me into a tizzy, I found myself handling them with ease,” he confided. “My mind was remarkably clearer. I felt more vibrant and in top shape.
In a less frequent manner, the lead actor from the “Hunt for Red October” seldom discusses his nearly four-decade-long struggle with sobriety.
He mentioned that he doesn’t frequently delve into this topic, but occasionally does so when it seems appropriate. He has been sober for 39 years now, having achieved sobriety on February 23, 1985.
After relocating from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec described his subsequent years as a period where he faced an intense daily struggle. He admitted that for two years, he had a habit of using cocaine so frequently that it seemed like he could have traced a line from here to Saturn with the amount he consumed. Essentially, he brought this drug back home with him, implying its widespread use at the time was similar to how people consume coffee daily.
And after quitting the drug, he soon turned to alcohol—only to also quit that dependency.
Today, he relies on the city around him.
He expressed that New York leaves him feeling tranquil, mentioning, “I explore it and discover new aspects every time. A building might catch my eye, and I’ll think, ‘Wow, I didn’t realize that about that structure, those doors.’ I have meals and coffees with friends.
Back in April 2024, the actress who starred in The Princess Diaries announced that she has been sober for over five years. In an interview with The New York Times, she expressed that this achievement symbolizes a significant moment for her, stating, “This feels like a milestone to me.
Her thoughts were straightforward. She admitted, “I knew instinctively it wasn’t suitable for me.” And it seemed overly intense to have to express, ‘Absolutely not.’ But absolutely not. If you have an allergy or experience a severe reaction to something, you don’t debate it. So I stopped debating it.
She expressed satisfaction with her choice, saying, “I’ve found that things have improved significantly for me since then.” She added, “It was a source of self-pity for me, and I prefer not to dwell on negative feelings.
During her acceptance speech for the 2018 Woman of the Year Award at the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House – a home providing recovery for women struggling with substance and alcohol addiction – Moore shared insights about the self-damaging trajectory that almost halted her professional journey.
Reflecting on my life, I believe there are pivotal moments that significantly mold our identities and choices. During the initial phase of my career, I found myself slipping into a self-destructive pattern without any sense of fulfillment or worth, despite achieving success. No matter how many triumphs I experienced, I always felt inadequate. This destructive path led me to a critical juncture where it was unclear what was causing it. Perhaps it was a divine intervention that guided me through this challenging period.
Moore expressed gratitude in 2012 towards two individuals who were not well-acquainted with her for presenting a sort of turning point to her. Essentially, they told her she had to change her ways or face serious consequences. In a light-hearted manner, she said, “Unless I was deceased, I should appear.” She further mentioned that this encounter provided her an opportunity to alter the direction of her life before it fell apart completely.
Moore observed, “They perceived more about me than I was aware of myself.” He expressed his gratitude because without their recognition and belief in him, he would not be where he is today.
In 2022, Cyrus openly discussed her battle with an addiction to Xanax, revealing that she had been recovering since 2020. Speaking with Rolling Stone, she explained, “Xanax provided a structure I desperately needed during a difficult period in my life when I didn’t want to be stuck dwelling on my thoughts. It offered me a sense of hope.
The singer remarked, “When I discovered that you could momentarily mute the world and dull your suffering, that was the end of it.
She mentioned that her friends at one point tacitly supported her drug habit, which eventually turned into a deep, endless abyss for her. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus acknowledged facing difficulties and felt she wasn’t emotionally engaged. “I would frequently fall asleep,” she remembered, “and I couldn’t keep my head up or my eyes open because I was so deeply immersed.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
16 years ago, the former star of “Parenthood” had been living a sober life until a motorbike accident in 2020 led him to resume using Vicodin.
The actor from “Parenthood” had been abstaining from alcohol and drugs for 16 years, but following a motorcycle mishap in 2020, he resorted to taking Vicodin again.
Lastly:
For 16 years, the cast member of “Parenthood” managed his life without substance use until a motorbike accident in 2020 caused him to once more consume Vicodin.
For the past two months approximately, he mentioned on his “Armchair Expert” podcast that he’s been using these substances for long hours each day, as he has a prescription. However, he’s not just relying on the medication; he’s also increasing its effectiveness.
He went on to express his dislike for the situation, admitting he was deceiving others. He acknowledged the need to stop but found himself developing a higher tolerance, now consuming around eight 30mg doses daily, which he knew would lead to a difficult withdrawal. This realization filled him with fear and loneliness, carrying a heavy burden of secrecy.
2018 saw the actress known for “Halloween” openly discussing her decade-long struggle with opiate addiction that started in the late ’80s following a minor cosmetic procedure to address her genetically puffy eyes. This led to a prescription that significantly altered her life. In an interview with People, she admitted, “For ten years I was stealing, deceiving – nobody knew, nobody did.
In the summer of 1998, when her sister came for a visit and brought painkillers prescribed for a rib injury, Curtis admitted that this was her lowest point. She confessed to the publication, tears welling up as she recalled the moment, “I knew she had them in our guest room closet. I ended up taking most of her opiates. When she was preparing to leave, I knew she would repack her suitcase and notice her pills were missing. I felt compelled to confess to her what I’d done. So, I wrote her a note and left it on her suitcase. Upon her return home, she hugged me, expressing love and concern, and telling me she wouldn’t stand by while I was self-destructing.
On February 3, 1999, she participated in her initial gathering, which coincided with the time she shared her personal struggle with her spouse, filmmaker Christopher Guest. He was astonished to find out he hadn’t noticed before, as Curtis stated. Since then, she has maintained sobriety.
In 2021, Barrymore, who has previously dealt with alcohol and drug addiction issues, publicly announced a significant achievement in her recovery journey. On the show CBS Mornings, she declared for the first time in a while, “I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in two and a half years.” She further explained that this choice was beneficial for her life as it no longer served her positively.
She commented, “It’s quite amusing. When we expose who we are, our secrets, and the accomplishments we’ve striven for, it’s incredibly liberating and exposed, simultaneously.
Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she avoids the term “sober” as she doesn’t want others to perceive her as a flawless, self-righteous Puritan.
In 2023, she admitted, “For so long I told myself, ‘I’ll get a handle on this, I’ll find the answer.’ But then it dawned on me, ‘The truth is, I’ve never fully grasped this, and I may never will.’
During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” battled a cocaine addiction. At that time, his friend Will Arnett intervened and discussed his problematic behavior with him.
Cooper mentioned that it was the initial moment when he became aware of his struggle with substance abuse, particularly drugs and alcohol. This realization stood out to him distinctly during an interview on the Smartless podcast in 2022, a memory he will always remember vividly.
credit Arnett for being the catalyst, Cooper stated, “He bravely initiated a difficult discussion with me which led me to contemplate and eventually make the choice to alter the course of my life.
The main actor of Fight Club battled alcohol addiction for many years, but eventually, he managed to get sober thanks to Cooper’s assistance. During the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, he expressed his gratitude in front of the audience after receiving a trophy from Cooper: “I became sober because of this man, and every day since then has been happier.
In September 2023, the former star of Cruel Intentions posted on Instagram that it had been the longest period since his teenage years when he didn’t have any form of nicotine or cannabis in his system, among other substances.
He also mentioned that he was grateful for the liberation experienced from overcoming addictions and freeing himself from substance dependence. In his own words, sobriety, understanding, and a deep sense of spirituality are truly rewarding.
In 2018, the singer proudly marked six years without alcohol while on tour, but shocked fans later in the year with the unveiling of the soul-baring song “Sober”, revealing that she had unfortunately slipped back into old habits.
Mom, I’m truly sorry I’m no longer in control,
Dad, please find it in your heart to forgive me for the alcohol spilled on the floor,
To those who have always stood by me, I apologize, we’ve been here before, I’m not in control anymore,” she sang.
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
She expressed two weeks ago on Instagram that she’s been open about her struggle with addiction. What she’s discovered is that this ailment doesn’t vanish or weaken over time; instead, it’s something she must persistently conquer and hasn’t managed to beat yet…Currently, I need time to mend and concentrate on my sobriety and path to recovery. The affection you’ve all shown me will always be remembered, and I eagerly anticipate the day when I can announce that I have emerged victorious. I will continue to battle.
In 2018, she discussed her struggles with addictions to both sex and alcohol. “My addictive tendencies shift. They change over time. When I was younger, I believe I had a form of sexual addiction, yes, that I thought everything could be resolved through sex,” she explained, then went on to talk about the moment she recognized she’d developed an alarming drinking issue.
She stated, “That time when I was alone at home, I recall hitting a low point, having already drunk two bottles of wine and about to open the third. It made me pause and think, ‘Wait a minute, you’re drinking your third bottle of wine all by yourself at home? Maybe there’s an issue here that needs addressing.’
She mentioned, “I decided to quit cold turkey. You know, I can do that easily when I decide to. I’m a binger by nature and have to be mindful of myself, as I tend to get absorbed in things quickly.” She further explained, “It’s not just about the action itself, but the motivation behind it. The behavior associated with it. If you enjoy having a lot of sex, that’s fine, but consider why you’re engaging in so much of it. That’s what requires introspection.
One of the Backstreet Boys band members experimented with drugs for the first time prior to recording the music video for “The Call” in 2000. In a later interview with Good Morning America, he admitted that he felt extremely energetic during the filming. After seeking sobriety in 2021, he experienced numerous positive effects within a year, such as shedding 32 pounds over a period of seven months by giving up alcohol and fast food.
In September 2022, he shared with Today that excessive drinking led to an increase in his weight, but it also negatively impacted his emotional well-being.
Following Mac Miller’s tragic demise, rapper Bow Wow (formerly Shad Moss) shared on Twitter his past struggle with codeine addiction. In a series of tweets, he expressed:
“To the young ones – quit these foolish drugs.” He then opened up about his experience:
“I was high on lean every day while working on our ‘FACE OFF’ album with Omarion. When you saw me going off on Torae during BET, I was high on lean. My attitude and everything changed. My fans and even my family turned against me. I never promoted lean in my songs, but the whole time I was on the UCP tour with Chris Brown, I was sipping 4’s at least seven times a day. I was addicted until our show in Cincinnati… I came off stage and passed out; woke up in the hospital, suffering from withdrawals.”
He continued: “I have never felt pain like that before. I walked around with three hoodies on because I was so cold. I missed the Chicago show of that tour as well as the Baltimore show – all because I was high and sick! This isn’t cool; I did it to be cool! Kick that habit! Be a good son or daughter. Be the best version of yourself. I will start being more vocal. We must save our youth from an early demise. Parents, watch your children closely. Talk to them. We want you all to live, man. I almost died because of syrup.”
He concluded: “To this day, my stomach…will never be the same and it hasn’t been. STAY DRUG-FREE is the way to go. Smarten up, tighten up! We can’t afford to lose any more of you. Not one! I love all of you. The young artists, all the kids around the world – don’t follow a trend. Break the cycle. PEACE.
2018 saw the singer openly discussing her struggle with addiction, following the simultaneous releases of her fourth studio album “No Shame” and memoir “My Thoughts Exactly.” As revealed by Allen, she was heavily reliant on cocaine and alcohol, often reaching a state of being “alarmingly drunk.” A turning point came when Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin intervened after an incident at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party, where she accidentally collided with Orlando Bloom and sustained a concussion by headbutting him.
She shared with The Guardian, “I felt nothing could touch or fulfill me. One bleak morning, as I lay awake, I contemplated, ‘Perhaps heroin might be the answer, since nothing else seems effective.’
Throughout the 1980s, an actor from The Parent Trap struggled with a cocaine addiction, leading him to seek treatment at a rehab facility in 1990. In a later interview on Today, he shared that his upbringing in the ’60s and ’70s was marked by a significantly more permissive attitude towards drug use.
In a candid confession made in 2018, he acknowledged that his drug use was not uncommon even for some movie budgets. He admitted to using cocaine almost every day during the 1980s. He would often plead with God to take away his addiction, promising never to return to it again, as he knew he had to go to work soon. However, by the afternoon, at 4 o’clock, he would tell himself that it wasn’t so bad.
He described a profound moment he referred to as a “white light experience,” where he envisioned either his own death or losing everything valuable to him. He needed to sit down with his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan, and clarify what was happening in his life. Afterward, he sought professional help. This marked the end of his relationship with cocaine.
Following an occurrence in Newport Beach where the Olympic swimmer attempted to break down his hotel room door, Ryan Lochte decided to seek treatment in 2018. According to a statement made to TopMob News by his representative, “Ryan has been grappling with alcohol addiction for quite some time and unfortunately, it’s led him into harmful behaviors. He has come to terms with the fact that he needs professional help to conquer this challenge and will be receiving assistance promptly.
In my perspective, overcoming this ailment right away is crucial for me, as it will help me steer clear of future regrettable choices, enable me to be the best partner and father I can be, and if I aspire to reclaim my glory in the pool during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – my fifth time competing.
One significant factor that influenced him giving up alcohol was his relationship with Melanie Lynskey, despite the common advice that one shouldn’t get sober for someone else.
During his interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he stated, “At one point, I realized what an incredible person she was and I believed she deserved someone even more special than me. I felt a tad unsuitable, a touch too eccentric for her.
However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.
In the beginning of our relationship, he explained, he found it simpler to claim that his actions were for her because, during that period, he didn’t think very highly of himself. He didn’t worry as much about causing himself harm as he did about causing her pain. Therefore, at first, it was easier for him to say, “I’m doing this for her.” However, now, he does it for his own sake.
For almost a decade now, the nation’s music icon has maintained sobriety, but the journey to that point was challenging and fraught with difficulty. Following his high school graduation, his struggles with alcohol and pain medication commenced. Even as his career flourished, these issues persisted. He confessed that he kept a black leather laptop bag stocked with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka within easy reach at all times. In his own words to People, he admitted that every hour and a half to two hours, it was time for a couple of strong drinks from the bottle. Additionally, every three or four hours, he would take one or two pills.
As I reflect on my journey, I can honestly say that factor did not hinder my progress in any way. Instead, I found myself operating at peak efficiency, perhaps even more so than I do today. It’s ironic, isn’t it? The very thing that could have tripped me up, instead fueled my creativity. That was the truly terrifying aspect of it all.
Towards the end of 2011, he was admitted to the hospital due to pancreatitis, and doctors warned him that if he continued drinking, he might not live to see his next birthday. However, he hesitated to change and attempted to moderate his habits on his own, such as limiting himself to two pills per day or setting a specific amount for alcohol consumption and marking the bottle. This approach worked for a few days, but then someone would throw a party, disrupting his efforts.
In the end, he realized he needed assistance, admitting himself into rehab on December 18, 2011. “I reached a point where I understood it was something I couldn’t overcome alone,” Gilbert explained. “It infuriated me greatly and brought immense shame. I am a rather determined individual, but that was the one aspect of my life that I just couldn’t seem to master.
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2025-04-08 05:48