As I delve into the lives of these extraordinary individuals, it becomes increasingly apparent that their struggles with addiction are as much a part of their stories as their triumphs. Each one has faced the daunting challenge of conquering their demons, not just for themselves, but also for those who love them and believe in them.
Denzel Washington is taking care of his body going into his final act.
The Oscar-winning individual, reaching 70 in December, openly discussed his prolonged connection with alcohol and the reasons behind his permanent choice to abstain from it.
In an interview with Esquire, published on November 20th, Denzel mentioned that his past actions have had a significant impact on his body. He added, “I’m sober now and will be celebrating ten years of sobriety this coming December.
He said, “I haven’t had a drop since I reached sixty, and that’s still true.” He went on to say, “Now, at this age of seventy, opportunities are blossoming for me – it’s genuine, and it feels right. This is the final phase of my life – if I am fortunate enough to have another thirty years, what would I like to accomplish? My mother lived to ninety-seven.
In a chat, the star of “Gladiator II” shared that during filming, he would temporarily abstain from drinking, but afterward, he would resume his drinking habits.
He clarified that he never drank alcohol while working or preparing for it. Instead, he would clean up and return to his job, managing both tasks efficiently. However, after prolonged periods of shooting, it was time to leave, followed by a break where he indulged in wine for about three months. Then, it was back to work again.
He continued, “But drinking was a fifteen-year pattern. And truth be told, it didn’t start in ’99.”
To be precise, he explained that his fondness for quality wines often masked the fact that he was slipping into harmful habits.
As an ardent enthusiast, I’ll put it this way: “Wine can be quite elusive,” the esteemed actor from Fences mused about his former associate. “It doesn’t explode suddenly, no, it’s a gradual process. And part of that was constructing a grand estate in 1999 with a colossal wine cellar holding ten thousand bottles. This journey led me to appreciate the finest vintages. So, I find myself savoring my ’61s, ’82s, and any other precious bottles we had.
As a wine enthusiast beyond compare, I once found myself savoring expensive bottles, having little choice but to settle for what remained, which happened to be a hefty $4,000. Fast forward through the years, I’d dial Gil Turner’s Fine Wines & Spirits on Sunset Boulevard, requesting two bottles, the crème de la crème of whatever variety caught my fancy at the moment. My wife often inquired, “Why do you always order just two?” To which I’d respond, “Because if I order more, I’ll simply drink more.
And he justified it by looking at it as a wine hobby.
He remarked, “My initial concept was centered around wine tastings and such, which is exactly what it started out as,” he explained. “It’s a nuanced point. To clarify, I tasted the finest wines. Yes, I tasted the best. After 15 years: Simply send me two bottles, but make sure they’re high-quality, and I would savor them both throughout the day.
For nearly a decade now, the star of “Glory” revealed that he’s been abstaining from alcohol and also took an initiative to improve his physical health in other ways. He credits his friend Lenny Kravitz for this transformation.
In an interview with Esquire, Denzel stated, “I’m giving it my all. Disregard the alcohol talk. It’s about strength now. About two years ago, my close friend and ‘little brother’, Lenny Kravitz, suggested I work with a trainer. He arranged it, and he’s another spiritual man. I began training with him last February, and he prepares my meals too. Now, I weigh around 190 pounds and am aiming for 185.
As I gazed upon a snapshot capturing me and my cherished partner of four decades, Pauletta Washington, at this year’s Academy Awards, I found myself nodding in heartfelt agreement – a testament to our timeless bond that continues to flourish.
He commented on some photos of him and Pauletta at the Academy Awards for “Macbeth”, stating, “I look quite heavy in these pictures.” Regarding his dyed hair, he added, “That era is behind us now.” Instead, he expressed a sense of renewal, emphasizing, “I feel I’m gaining strength. Being strong is crucial.
Keep reading for more stars who have opened up about their sobriety journey…
In 2022, the actor who played Spider-Man in the movie “No Way Home” decided to quit drinking alcohol after realizing he had developed an addiction to it. As Holland explained on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, “I was truly addicted to alcohol, and I’m not trying to downplay that.” He added that even if someone drinks a beer every day, they might have a problem with alcohol.
The actor went on to say, “Then you arrive at a point when you think, ‘Geez, I wish I hadn’t had that final drink last night,'” adding, “The next morning, you find yourself with a pounding headache.
Ever since I embraced this life transformation, I find myself sleeping like a baby and tackling challenges with ease. It’s like a whole new me!
He confided, “Issues that typically upset me during filming, I found myself handling with ease. My mind was clearer than ever. I felt more robust and vigorous.
In simpler terms, the main character from “Hunt for Red October” seldom discusses his alcohol recovery that started about 40 years back.
He mentioned during his May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t bring up the topic frequently, but does so occasionally when it seems appropriate. He has been sober for 39 years now, achieving sobriety on February 23, 1985.
Regarding his life shift from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec described a challenging period that lasted approximately two years. He admitted to abusing cocaine extensively during this time, stating he might have snorted as much as from here to Saturn. Upon returning home, he likened the prevalence of cocaine use back then to coffee consumption today – it seemed everyone was using it throughout the day.
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 mentioned that New York holds a sense of tranquility for him, as his hometown. “I stroll around, discovering new facets of it that I’ve never observed before,” he explained. “I might gaze at a building and be taken aback by details I hadn’t noticed before, such as those doors. I spend my days having lunches and coffees with friends.
In an interview with the New York Times in April 2024, the actress from The Princess Diaries announced that she has been sober for over five years. She expressed that this achievement represents a significant milestone for her.
Her thoughts were straightforwardly expressed. She confided, “I instinctively sensed it wasn’t suitable for me,” she admitted. “It felt excessively challenging to say, ‘But nothing at all?’ Yet it was nothing at all. If you have an allergy or suffer a severe reaction to something, there’s no point debating it. So I decided not to debate it any longer.
And she’s happy she made that decision. “My personal experience with it is that everything is better,” she continued. “For me, it was wallowing fuel. And I don’t like to wallow.”
Back in May 2023, the former member of One Direction marked a milestone by completing 100 days free from alcohol. At that moment, he expressed his feelings, saying, “I feel fantastic! I feel genuinely great, and the support from fans and everyone has been tremendous.
His struggles started during the peak of One Direction fandom. Speaking candidly, he admitted, “It seems to me that, as part of the band, our safety—given its immense popularity—was best ensured by confining us in a room. And, inevitably, what was inside the room? A mini-bar.” He continued, “Eventually, I decided to throw a party for one, and it seemed this behavior persisted throughout several years of my life.
He’s been open about his recovery from addiction. In June 2021, he stated that he had been sober for over a month and shared, “It wasn’t until I saw photos of myself on a boat that I realized ‘Okay, I need to make a change.’ I call it the ‘pills-and-booze face,’ and my face looked significantly larger than it does now. I didn’t really care for myself much then, so I decided to turn things around.
At the 2018 Woman of the Year ceremony hosted by the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, a home providing recovery services for women battling substance and alcohol addiction, Moore shared insights on the potentially career-ending “self-sabotaging journey” she had once embarked upon.
In their own words, the individual expressed that life has pivotal moments which mold our identity and choices. At the outset of their professional journey, they found themselves on a self-destructive path. Despite achieving successes, they never felt worthy. They confessed to having no regard for their self-worth, and this destructive pattern swiftly led them to a critical juncture. The reason behind this predicament wasn’t immediately clear, but looking back, it seems as if some higher power may have been intervening.
In 2012, Moore expressed gratitude towards two individuals whom she barely knew for presenting her with a challenging choice. She humorously stated, “Unless I was deceased, I needed to appear,” implying an urgent demand. Furthermore, she disclosed that they offered her a chance to alter the trajectory of her life, preventing it from crumbling into ruin.
Moore pointed out that they saw a side of him he wasn’t aware of himself. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude for this perspective, stating that without their trust and support, he wouldn’t be where he is now.
In 2022, it was disclosed that the former star of “Friends”, who has since passed away, admitted to spending approximately $9 million in his efforts to overcome an addiction to alcohol and narcotics which started when he was just a teenager. His battles with substance abuse can be traced back to the age of 14, during which time he developed a taste for beers like Budweiser and Andrès Baby Duck, eventually moving on to drugs such as Vicodin, Xanax, and OxyContin.
In a 2022 article published in The New York Times, Perry admitted that he had faked both back injuries and migraines for some time. This revelation came after 18 months of sobriety. He explained that during his addiction, he would wake up needing 55 Vicodin each day, and he had to devise ways to obtain them. As a drug addict, everything was about calculations: taking three pills at one place, five at another due to anticipated longer stays, all to avoid becoming extremely ill. It was an exhausting process but necessary for his wellbeing.
He mentioned that his actions weren’t driven by the desire to experience euphoria or happiness. Instead, he was more inclined towards solitude; preferring to relax on his sofa, consume five Vicodin pills, and enjoy a movie. That moment of peace was his idea of heaven, but it no longer holds that significance for him.
In 2022, Cyrus openly discussed her struggle with Xanax addiction, which she has been dealing with since 2020. Speaking to Rolling Stone, she explained that the medication provided her with a much-needed structure during a challenging period in her life. She added that it also offered her hope when she felt lost and uncertain.
The performer remarked, “When I realized there might be a momentary reprieve to mute the discomfort and dull the ache, that’s when it ended.
She mentioned that her friends at one point seemed to tacitly approve of her drug abuse, which led to a deep, bottomless pit of darkness. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus admitted she faced difficulties and felt emotionally detached. “I found myself constantly dozing off,” she reminisced, “unable to stay awake or keep 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 bike accident in 2020 prompted him to use Vicodin again.
Over the past eight weeks or so, he mentioned during his “Armchair Expert” podcast, “I’ve been using them quite frequently throughout the day,” he said. “Since I have a prescription, I’m allowed to take them at certain doses, but I also supplement that usage.
He went on to express his dislike for the situation, admitting he was deceiving others. He acknowledged he needed to stop, but his tolerance was escalating so rapidly that he found himself consuming around eight 30mg doses daily. He understood this quantity would lead to a severe withdrawal, causing fear and feelings of isolation to rise. He also confided that he had a significant secret weighing heavily on him.
In the year 2018, the actress who starred in Halloween opened up about her decade-long struggle with opiate addiction that started in the late ’80s, following a cosmetic surgery for her genetically puffy eyes. This prescription medication drastically altered her life. Speaking to People magazine, she admitted, “I had a 10-year spree of stealing and deceiving, all while keeping it hidden from everyone.
In the sweltering summer of 1998, when my sister graced our home with her presence, she carried a prescription for painkillers due to a rib injury. It was during this visit that I hit rock bottom, as I found myself unable to resist the temptation of those opiates hidden in our guest room closet.
On February 3, 1999, she went to her first meeting, marking the day she confided in her filmmaker spouse, Christopher Guest, about her struggle. He found it hard to believe he hadn’t picked up on it before, Curtis remarked, noting that she has remained sober since then.
In 2021, Barrymore publicly announced a significant achievement in her recovery journey. On the show CBS Mornings, she disclosed, “For the first time in a while, I’m going to share this: It’s been two and a half years since my last drink of alcohol.” She added that she came to understand that abstaining from alcohol was not beneficial for her life.
She commented, “It’s quite amusing. Uncovering ourselves, our secrets, and what we’ve labored on so much feels both empowering and exposing simultaneously.
Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she avoids using the term “sober” as she doesn’t want others to perceive her as a “spotless Puritan,” implying someone who is overly righteous or morally pure.
In the year 2023, she reflected, “I’d been telling myself, ‘I’ll conquer this, I’ll find a solution,'” but eventually understood, “The truth is, I never truly mastered this skill, nor ever will.
During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” faced challenges with a cocaine addiction. Eventually, his friend, Will Arnett, intervened and addressed his concerning behavior directly.
During his 2022 interview on the Smartless podcast, Cooper vividly remembered that moment as the time when he first acknowledged his struggle with substance abuse, an experience he said he would never forget.
As a fervent admirer, I wholeheartedly credit Arnett for being the catalyst. His boldness in engaging me in a tough dialogue paved the way for me making the momentous decision to alter the course of my life.
The actor who starred in Fight Club battled alcohol addiction for many years, but later managed to get sober thanks to Cooper. He expressed his gratitude during the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, stating, “Every day has been happier since then,” after Cooper presented him with an award.
In September 2023, the former star of Cruel Intentions posted on Instagram that it had been the longest period since their teenage years that they hadn’t had any form of nicotine or cannabis, along with other substances, in their system.
He also expressed gratitude for the liberation experienced from overcoming addictions and freeing oneself from dependence on substances. For him, sobriety brings a sense of clarity, spiritual awareness, and simply feels fantastic.
In 2018, while touring and openly commemorating six years without alcohol, the singer took everyone by surprise when she disclosed her relapse through the release of the candid song “Sober.
Apologies to all, especially you, my loved ones, as I find myself unable to maintain sobriety once more. To Dad, please accept my sincere apologies for the accidents with the spilled drinks on our shared space. To those who have always stood by me, I’m truly sorry that we’ve tread this familiar path again, but know that I’m not in control at this moment.
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
Two weeks ago, she posted on Instagram that her struggle with addiction has always been an open book. What she’s discovered is that this condition doesn’t vanish or weaken as time passes; rather, it’s something she must persistently conquer and hasn’t managed to defeat yet…I currently require time to mend and concentrate on my sobriety and path to recovery. The affection you’ve all shown me will never be erased from my memory, and I eagerly anticipate the day when I can declare victory over it. I will keep battling.
In 2018, she spoke about her struggles with addictions to both sex and alcohol. “My addictions shift from one thing to another,” she explained. She admitted that in her younger years, she may have had a sexual addiction as she believed that all problems could be solved through sex. She also disclosed the moment she recognized she had developed an alarming drinking issue.
She recounted a moment when she was alone at home, about to open her third bottle of wine, and remarked, “Whoa there! It seems you’re drinking wine by yourself and about to finish your third bottle. Maybe it’s time to consider if this could be a sign of an issue.
She mentioned that she stopped something abruptly, which is typical for her. She’s a person who can quit things cold turkey. She’s prone to bingeing and needs to be mindful of herself because she can easily get carried away with things. It’s not about the action itself but the reason behind it. The behavior connected to it is important. If you want to have a lot of sex, that’s fine, but you should consider why you’re having so much of it. That’s what needs examination.
One of the Backstreet Boys bandmates experimented with drugs for the first time prior to filming the music video for “The Call” in 2000. In a later interview with Good Morning America, he admitted that he felt extremely energized during the shoot, describing himself as being “on the walls.” He achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced numerous positive changes within a year, such as shedding 32 pounds over a seven-month period by eliminating alcohol and fast food from his diet.
He mentioned during an interview with Today in September 2022 that consuming alcohol led to an increase in his weight, but it additionally took a toll on his emotional well-being.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share a personal reflection inspired by the tragic loss of Mac Miller. In a similar situation, Shad Moss, also known as Bow Wow, took to Twitter to warn his fans about the dangers of codeine addiction.
2018 saw the singer, Gwyneth Paltrow, revealing considerable honesty about her past struggles with addiction following the release of her fourth studio album, “No Shame,” as well as her memoir, “My Thoughts Exactly.” In these confessions, she admitted to excessive cocaine use and alcohol consumption that led to being “almost pathologically drunk.” The turning point came when an incident at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party, where she accidentally collided with Orlando Bloom, causing herself to faint, prompted an intervention by Paltrow and her then-husband, Chris Martin.
In a conversation with The Guardian, she expressed, “It felt as if nothing could penetrate or fulfill me. One morning during those difficult times, I found myself contemplating, ‘Perhaps it’s the turn of heroin, since nothing else appears effective.’
In the 1980s, an actor from The Parent Trap struggled with a cocaine addiction, which eventually led him to rehabilitation in 1990. Later, during an interview on Today, he shared that he grew up in the ’60s and ’70s when there was a significantly different perception of the drug.
In 2018, he openly confessed that his daily routine during the ’80s included heavy use of cocaine. He admitted to a constant struggle, pleading with God for deliverance from this addiction, only to return to it hours before work. Yet, in the afternoon, he would convince himself that it wasn’t so bad.
“I had what I call a white light experience where I saw myself either dead or losing everything that meant anything to me,” he continued. He had to sit down then-fiancée Meg Ryan and explain what was going on. Then, he sought help. “That was the end of the love affair with me and cocaine.”
Following an occurrence at a Newport Beach hotel where Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to force open his own room door, Lochte opted for treatment in 2018. In a statement to TopMob News, his representative stated, “Ryan has been struggling with alcohol addiction for quite some time and unfortunately, this struggle has resulted in a harmful behavioral pattern for him. He has admitted that he needs professional intervention to conquer his issue and will be seeking help promptly.
Ryan understands that defeating this illness is crucial for him not to make regrettable choices later, so he can strive to be the best husband and father possible, and if he aims to compete again at the top level in swimming during his fifth Olympics in Tokyo 2020.
Despite understanding that it’s generally advised not to give up alcohol for someone else, his bond with current spouse Melanie Lynskey significantly influenced his decision to quit drinking.
He shared during his March 2023 interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, “At some stage, I realized how exceptional she was and believed she would be perfect for someone deserving. However, I didn’t feel like that person myself; I thought I was a bit too unstable.
However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.
In the beginning of their relationship, he found it simpler to claim that he was acting for her because, at that point in time, he didn’t think very highly of himself. He was more concerned about causing her pain than hurting himself. Therefore, it was easier for him to say, “I’m doing this for her.” Now, however, he is doing it for his own sake.
The country star has been sober for nearly a decade, but it was a hard-fought road getting there. His addiction to alcohol and pain pills began soon after graduating from high school and didn’t abate when his career began to take off. He kept a black leather laptop bag filled with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka “at arm’s reach at all times,” he told previously revealed to People, adding that throughout the day, “every hour and a half to two hours it’d be time to get two or three good pulls on the bottle. And every three or four hours it’s time for a pill or two.”
He acknowledged that it didn’t hinder his achievements, instead, he declared, “I wasn’t tripping over myself throughout the day.” He continued, “I was in top form — I penned more tunes back then than I do currently. That was the frightening aspect.
Towards the end of 2011, he ended up in the hospital due to pancreatitis, and was warned that if he continued drinking, he might not live to see his next birthday. However, he attempted to curb his drinking habits gradually, such as limiting himself to two pills per day or drinking only a certain amount from his bottle and making a mark on it. Yet, this strategy would work for just a few days before another party disrupted his efforts.
Eventually, 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 tackle alone,” Gilbert explained. “It enraged and humiliated me. I’m quite determined, but that was the one aspect of my life I just couldn’t conquer.
Watch
TopMob News
Read More
- DYM PREDICTION. DYM cryptocurrency
- CYBER PREDICTION. CYBER cryptocurrency
- ZK PREDICTION. ZK cryptocurrency
- JASMY PREDICTION. JASMY cryptocurrency
- SKEY PREDICTION. SKEY cryptocurrency
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- RUNE PREDICTION. RUNE cryptocurrency
- JESUS/USD
- Top gainers and losers
- EURC PREDICTION. EURC cryptocurrency
2024-11-20 20:51