Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean Gives Sobriety Update After Relapse

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AJ McLeanis sober, and he wants it that way.

The Backstreet Boys band member, who has publicly spoken about his struggle with sobriety for quite some time now, recently expressed that he is experiencing the most positive mental state he’s ever had throughout his life, following his decision to get sober permanently in 2021.

In an interview published on July 10, AJ expressed to People that he is committed to this journey and experiences it every day. He followed advice from the sober community, and as a result, his life has undergone a remarkable transformation for the better.

The host of the show, “Building the Band,” who has children Elliot (age 12) and Lyric (age 8) with ex-partner Rochelle McLean, clarified that his current situation stemmed from a personal trip to Arizona he took as a brief break for his mental health.

He expressed his strong support for mental health issues, adding that he wished to delve more profoundly into his personal life, aiming to understand the core reasons behind actions that caused himself and those close to him harm.

AJ added, “I’ve come across fresh terminology, like ‘boundaries,’ something I hadn’t experienced before. Now that I do, it’s a source of joy for me. AJ is part of a group, yet he doesn’t shape my personal identity.

Now, as he noted, “Alexander James is who I am.”

During his sabbatical, the 47-year-old discovered he had very low self-worth and struggled with what he referred to as “feeling worthless,” but has since overcome that destructive mindset. In his words, “I’m continually learning and growing, but if you don’t appreciate me, it’s your loss, because I am genuinely a wonderful person.

With his refreshed mindset, AJ is gladly taking in the world around him with a new set of eyes. 

He shared with Fox News during an interview on July 10th that he often follows the timeless advice of taking time to appreciate the simple things in life, like stopping to enjoy the scent of roses. He feels a newfound self-assurance, distinct from arrogance or ego, and this confidence has given him a unique sense of strength.

As your trusted lifestyle guide, allow me to share my thoughts. The reason for my consistent progress and growth, dear reader, is due to the tireless efforts I invest daily, and I foresee myself continuing this dedicated work throughout the journey of my life.

Read on for more stars who have been open about their journeys with addiction and sobriety. 

After the Backstreet Boys member relapsed in 2021, he noted he “got sober again for the last time.”

He shared with People magazine in July 2025 that he was committed to seeing this through until the end. It’s a routine he follows every day now, but after adopting advice from the sober community, he’s experienced a significant turnaround in his life for the better.

While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.

He explained, “I’ve come across fresh phrases like ‘boundaries,’ something I never truly had before. But now I do, and it’s a great thing. AJ belongs to a group, he’s a character, but he doesn’t define me as an individual. Instead, Alexander James is who I am.

Back in October 2018, the actor known for his role in “American Pie” shared on Instagram that it had been a year since he stopped drinking alcohol, expressing joy and motivation in his post.

In my journey as a lifestyle guide, I can relate to the struggles shared by someone who penned about his attempt to break free from alcohol and substance abuse approximately five years back. He vividly expressed that the burden of his compulsion towards these vices had grown unbearable for him. Reflecting on his experience, he candidly admitted, “I didn’t realize just how difficult this journey would be.

He added, ‘Despite some initial hiccups, I’ve successfully completed a whole year without alcohol. This achievement fills me with immense pride. For anyone battling similar struggles, remember that assistance is available. There’s no need to feel embarrassed. Together, we can overcome this.’

Later on, he looked back at his experience with substance abuse and the great efforts he made to conceal his battle against it.

In a March 2024 episode of his wife Jenny Mollen’s “All the Fails” podcast, he admitted that while attending therapy and addressing various issues, he would sometimes leave after a positive session, head to a liquor store, buy a bottle of vodka, drink it excessively, and then drive home. He explained that getting drunk allowed him to disconnect from his life and avoid feelings in the moment.

He said, ‘I had everything planned perfectly. I made sure not to drink so much that I couldn’t talk to you. In fact, I kept refilling the bottles at the bar throughout the night.’

 

The twice-crowned FIFA Women’s World Cup winner has openly discussed her abuse of Adderall as she managed injuries during her university soccer years.

She admitted on the 2025 episode of the Question Everything with Danielle Robay podcast that she had developed an extreme dependence on Adderall and abused it. She would consistently take it, often going without sleep for extended periods. It became quite extreme; she feared she might have a heart attack. She was not only swallowing it but also crushing and snorting it. The situation was clearly harmful.

However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.

She mentioned that it became incredibly dark and I needed to make significant changes,” she shared, “and Anson encouraged me to read books. I picked up a book titled ‘Man’s Search for Meaning‘ which discusses the topic of suffering and reinterpreting it, and it had a profound impact on my life.

The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.

During the March 4th episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, Jax confessed, “I struggle with addiction, and my main issue is with cocaine. Admitting it aloud is tough for me.

He mentioned that he’s had periods of struggling with something, off and on, since he was 23 years old, and now at the age of 45. There have been instances when he would abstain from it, but there have also been stretches where he became quite engrossed in it.

Apart from quitting cocaine, Jax has also decided to stop consuming alcohol. He clarified, “I’m not sure if I have an alcohol problem per se, but they often go together for me. I find it hard to use cocaine without drinking first. Therefore, I chose to give up both substances. I am happy to share that I am currently 82 or 83 days sober, which is the longest stretch in my life without using either substance.

The star of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” gave up alcohol in 2022, admitting he felt trapped by its grip. On the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, Holland admitted to his addiction, stating, “I wasn’t hiding it, I was definitely addicted.” He further added that anyone who drinks every day might have a hidden issue.

Afterward, you’d find yourself in a situation where you might think, “Gee, I wish I hadn’t had that final drink,” explained the actor. The following morning, you’d likely be plagued with a severe headache.

After adopting a new lifestyle, Holland observed that his sleep improved significantly and he found it easier to manage problems.

He confided, “Issues that used to upset me on set, I now handle with ease. I’ve experienced significantly improved mental clarity. I feel more robust and healthier.

The leading actor from “Hunt for the Red October” seldom discusses his nearly four-decade-long struggle with sobriety.

He mentioned that the topic doesn’t come up frequently but occasionally when it’s relevant. He has been sober for 39 years now, since February 23, 1985.

After relocating from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec described his life as follows: “For two years, I faced a blazing issue daily. To put it mildly, I ingested lines of cocaine that could be traced from here to Saturn. We even brought some back home. In essence, cocaine was like coffee during that era; everyone seemed to be using it around the clock.

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 brings him peace, revealing his home in an unusual way. “I stroll around, discovering details I’ve never seen before. A building might catch my eye, and I’ll think, ‘Wow, I didn’t realize that about that building, those doors.’ I spend time with friends over lunches and coffee.

Back in April 2024, the actress from The Princess Diaries announced she had been sober for over five years. In her conversation with the New York Times, she expressed that this achievement seemed significant to her, saying, “It’s a meaningful moment for me.

She made sense in her explanation, saying, “I felt inside that it wasn’t for me,” and she admitted this. It seemed too intense to have to say ‘absolutely not,’ but she said it. If you’re allergic or have severe reactions to something, you don’t debate the issue. So, she stopped debating it.

She’s pleased with her choice, and went on to say that things have improved significantly for her since then. In her own words, it served as a motivator for her, and she dislikes dwelling on negative emotions.

During her acceptance speech for the 2018 Woman of the Year Award at the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, a home offering recovery for women struggling with substance and alcohol addiction, Moore discussed the self-destructive journey that almost halted her professional progression.

In simpler terms, the person said that they believe there are significant experiences in life that mold us into who we become and the choices we make. Early on in their career, they found themselves moving towards self-destruction and despite achieving success, they never felt worthy. They had no sense of self-worth and this self-destructive behavior led them to a critical turning point, though at the time, they didn’t understand the cause. Later, they suggested it might have been some higher power guiding them.

In 2012, Moore acknowledged her gratitude towards two individuals who were not well-acquainted with her. She expressed that these people presented her with a sort of ultimatum, urging her to take steps to improve her life. In a lighthearted tone, she said, “Unless I was deceased, I needed to appear.” She also mentioned that this encounter offered her an opportunity to alter the trajectory of her life before it spiraled out of control.

Moore remarked, “They perceived more of my abilities than I did myself. And I’m incredibly thankful for this, as it was their faith in me that has led me to where I am now – standing right here today.

In 2022, Cyrus revealed that she has been in recovery from her Xanax dependency since 2020. She explained to Rolling Stone, “It provided me with the structure I desperately needed at a time when I was yearning for it, as I didn’t want to be idle and lost in my thoughts.” She added, “It gave me optimism.

The performer commented, “When I believed momentarily that you could mute the world and dull your suffering, it ended.

She mentioned that her friends during that period seemed to tacitly approve of her drug habit, which led to a deep, endless abyss. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus admitted she faced difficulties and felt emotionally detached. “I would constantly doze off and fall asleep,” she reminisced, “unable to maintain awareness or keep my eyes open because I was in such a state of decline.

She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”

16 years had passed since the former star of “Parenthood” had been abstinent from substances, but in 2020, they resumed usage following a motorcycle accident and began taking Vicodin again.

For the past eight weeks or so, he admitted on his “Armchair Expert” podcast, “I’ve been using them throughout the day, but I’m not certain… I can do this because I have a prescription, and at the same time, I’m increasing the effect with something else.

He went on, expressing his dislike for the situation. He confessed he was deceiving others. Recognizing he needed to stop, he lamented that his tolerance had skyrocketed so fast, leading him to consume eight 30-milligram doses daily. He acknowledged this quantity would lead to a harsh withdrawal. As fear crept in and loneliness settled, he carried an immense secret.

In the year 2018, I openly shared my struggle with an opiate addiction that spanned a decade, tracing its roots back to the late ’80s following a minor cosmetic surgery to address my genetically puffy eyes. This medical intervention unwittingly set me on a path that significantly altered my life. “For ten years, I resorted to stealing and deceiving,” I confessed to People magazine. “My secret was safe. Nobody knew.

In the summer of 1998, when her sister visited and brought painkillers prescribed for a rib injury, Curtis felt she had reached rock bottom. As she recalled to the publication, tears welling up, “I knew she kept them in our guest room closet during her stay.” She admitted to herself that she had taken all the opiates before her sister left. Upon realizing this, she wrote her a note and left it on her suitcase. When her sister returned home, she gave Curtis a hug and expressed her love and concern, unwilling to stand by while Curtis was taking her own life.

On February 3, 1999, she went to her first meeting, coincidentally also the day she shared her struggle with her filmmaker spouse, Christopher Guest. According to Curtis, he was astonished as he hadn’t suspected a thing before. Since then, she has remained sober.

In 2021, Barrymore announced a significant achievement in her personal journey. For the first time in a long while, she publicly declared that she has abstained from alcohol for over two and a half years. On CBS Mornings, she shared, “I haven’t had a drink of alcohol for two and a half years now. It’s something I came to understand no longer benefits me in my life.

I can’t help but feel exhilarated! Unveiling who we truly are, sharing our hidden passions, and exposing what we’ve tirelessly labored on – it’s a thrilling mix of liberation and vulnerability!

Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she prefers not to be labeled as “sober,” as she wants to avoid giving the impression that she is a flawless and pious individual.

In 2023, she reflected, “I’d been telling myself, ‘I’ll get the hang of this. I’ll find a solution,'” but eventually came to understand, “The truth is, I’ve never truly mastered this, and I probably never will.

During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” grappled with a cocaine addiction. However, his friend Will Arnett intervened and had an honest conversation with him regarding his actions at that time.

During his 2022 interview on the Smartless podcast, Cooper clearly remembered that moment as the time he first recognized he had issues with substance abuse, an experience he would never forget.

As a lifestyle expert looking back on my journey, I must credit Arnett for being the catalyst. He bravely engaged in a challenging conversation with me, one that ultimately led me to contemplate and decide to transform my life by embracing sobriety.

In simpler terms, the main character from Fight Club overcame his alcohol addiction thanks to Cooper. At the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, he expressed this gratitude to the audience, saying, “I’ve been happier every day since then, all because of this man.

As an unabashed fanboy, I must confess, September 2023 marked the longest stretch since my teenage years where I didn’t have some form of nicotine or cannabis in my system, along with a few other vices. This fact was proudly shared by none other than the charismatic alum of Cruel Intentions on his Instagram!

As a dedicated follower, I am profoundly grateful for the liberation I’ve experienced by shedding the chains of addiction and substance dependence. The sense of sobriety, lucidity, and spiritual harmony I now enjoy is truly exhilarating.

In 2018, during a tour, the singer proudly marked six years without alcohol. However, later that year, she left her followers in shock when she disclosed her relapse through the release of the candid song “Sober.

In a heartfelt plea, echoing my deepest regrets, I confess, “Mama, I’m back to my old ways, I can’t hold myself together tonight. Daddy, I’ve stained the floor with the remnants of drinks once more. To those who stand by me, we’ve walked this path before, and I’m truly sorry, but I’m not in control anymore.

A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.

She shared on Instagram two weeks ago, “I’ve always been open about my struggle with addiction.” Over time, I’ve come to understand that this illness doesn’t simply vanish or weaken. Instead, it’s a battle I continue to fight and haven’t won just yet…Right now, I need time to mend and concentrate on my sobriety and path towards recovery. The affection you’ve all shown me will forever be etched in my memory, and I eagerly anticipate the day when I can say I’ve emerged victorious. I will keep battling this.

In 2018, she spoke about her struggles with addictions to both sex and alcohol. “My addictions can change, they shift from one thing to another,” she explained. At a younger age, she admitted that she may have had a sexual addiction, believing that all problems could be solved through sex. She then opened up about recognizing her issue with excessive drinking.

She recalled hitting an all-time low when she was alone at home, with two bottles of wine already consumed and about to open the third. It made her pause and think, ‘Wait a minute. Here you are, alone in this house, drinking your third bottle of wine? There could be a bigger issue here.’

Here’s my attempt:

“I went cold turkey on it, no question about it. You see, I’m the type who can just quit something cold turkey. I’m a binge-type person, always needing to keep myself in check, and I can easily get carried away with things.”

She continued, “It’s not just the action itself, but the reasons behind it that matter. Why are you doing it? It’s about the behavior attached to it. If you enjoy having a lot of sex, that’s fantastic, but you should ask yourself why you’re having all that sex. That’s what really counts.

One of the Backstreet Boys band members experimented with drugs for the first time prior to filming the music video for “The Call” in 2000. He confessed years later on Good Morning America that he felt incredibly energetic during the shoot, almost as if he was on the ceiling. After seeking help, he achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced numerous positive outcomes within a year, such as shedding 32 pounds over a seven-month period by eliminating alcohol and fast food from his diet.

In September 2022, he explained to Today that alcohol contributed to his weight increase, but it also had a detrimental impact on his emotional well-being.

Following Mac Miller’s tragic demise, Shad Moss (also known as Bow Wow) shared on Twitter his past struggles with codeine addiction. He admitted that during the production of the “Face Off” album with Omarion, he was under the influence of lean (a popular street name for a concoction made from cough syrup) every day. This affected his behavior, causing him to alienate fans and family members. He also revealed that while on tour with Chris Brown, he consumed 4-Hydrocodone pills at least seven times daily, and was addicted until the Cincinnati show, where he overdosed and ended up in the hospital.

Bow Wow described the pain of withdrawal as something he had never experienced before. He walked around with multiple hoodies on because he felt cold. He missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore due to his addiction. Bow Wow urged his followers to kick the habit, encouraging them to be good children and focus on becoming the best versions of themselves. He pledged to be more vocal about the issue, emphasizing the need to save young lives from premature deaths. He also encouraged parents to keep a close eye on their kids and educate them about the dangers of drug abuse.

In conclusion, Bow Wow warned his fans to stay away from drugs, saying that being drug-free is the path to success. He urged them to smarten up, tighten up, and break the cycle of drug abuse. “We can’t afford to lose any more of you,” he said, expressing his love for all his fans, particularly young artists around the world.

In 2018, the singer publicly revealed the truth about her struggles with addiction through the releases of her fourth album titled “No Shame” and her memoir “My Thoughts Exactly.” As she admitted, she had been heavily using cocaine and drinking excessively, even getting so intoxicated that she was described as being “parasitically drunk.” The turning point came when she accidentally headbutted Orlando Bloom at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party, causing herself to faint. This incident prompted an intervention by her then-husband Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow.

In an interview with The Guardian, she admitted, “I felt nothing could touch or fulfill me. One morning during those tough times, I found myself contemplating, ‘Perhaps heroin might be the solution, as nothing else seems effective.’

In the throes of my unwavering fandom, let me share a personal journey I’ve long admired – that of the beloved actor from The Parent Trap. Throughout the pulsating ’80s, he grappled with a relentless struggle against cocaine addiction, an ordeal that eventually led him to rehab in 1990. Later, during a heartfelt interview on Today, he eloquently described his upbringing in the free-spirited ’60s and ’70s, a time when society held a strikingly different perspective towards this drug.

During the 1980s, he admitted to using cocaine nearly every day. He would often pray for God to take away his addiction and vow never to do it again, only to find himself thinking it wasn’t so bad by late afternoon due to work commitments.

He shared an intense moment where he felt like he was either facing death or losing everything valuable to him, which I refer to as a profound, blinding-white-light experience. He had to take a seat and discuss this overwhelming event with his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan. After that, he sought professional help to cope with the situation. This marked the end of his tumultuous relationship with cocaine.

Following an incident at a Newport Beach hotel where Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to force open his own room door, Lochte chose to seek treatment in 2018. According to his representative’s statement given to TopMob News, “Ryan has been struggling with alcohol addiction for quite some time, and unfortunately it has developed into a harmful habit for him.” He has admitted that he requires professional assistance to tackle this issue and will be receiving help promptly.

Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial for him to prevent future mistakes, to become the best husband and father possible, and if he hopes to reach his aim of regaining dominance in the pool during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

In my fervent admiration, I can’t help but share the pivotal role my beloved, Melanie Lynskey, played in my life-changing decision to give up alcohol. Contrary to what they say about avoiding sobriety for others, her presence was a powerful force that propelled me towards this new path.

During his interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he expressed, “I realized she was exceptional and believed she’d be perfect for someone truly worthy. However, I didn’t think I fit the bill—I felt a tad unstable.

However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.

He mentioned that in the initial stages of their relationship, it felt simpler for him to claim he was acting for her because, during that period, he didn’t think highly of his own self-worth. At that time, he prioritized avoiding hurting her over causing harm to himself. Thus, it was easier for him to assert, ‘I’m doing this for her.’ Now, however, he is doing it for his own sake.

For almost a decade, the nation’s music sensation has maintained sobriety, but achieving this was no easy feat. His struggle with alcohol and prescription pain pills started shortly after he graduated from high school, persisting even as his career flourished. He confessed to always having a black leather laptop case brimming with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka within quick reach. Every hour and a half to two hours, he would take a few strong swigs from the bottle. Moreover, every three to four hours, he would need a couple of pills.

Despite having no impact on his achievements, he maintained that he was not struggling or faltering in any way. Instead, he functioned optimally during that time, producing more songs than he currently does. This was the truly alarming aspect for him.

By the end of 2011, he was admitted to the hospital due to pancreatitis, and doctors warned him that if he continued drinking, he wouldn’t live to see his next birthday. However, he hesitated to change and attempted self-control, such as limiting himself to two pills a day or only drinking a certain amount from his bottle and marking it. This strategy worked for a few days, but then someone would throw a party, causing him to fall off the wagon.

Eventually, he realized he needed assistance, admitting himself into rehab on December 18, 2011. “I had reached a point where I knew I couldn’t handle it alone,” Gilbert admitted. “It made me extremely angry and left me feeling humiliated. I’m usually quite determined, but this was the one aspect of my life that I just couldn’t manage.

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2025-07-11 06:19