Eminem’s latest achievement is a huge stepping stone in his sobriety journey.
The Grammy-winning artist, who has previously discussed his struggle with prescription pill addiction, recently revealed he’s been sober for 18 years.
On April 20th, Eminem, whose full name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, posted a close-up photo on Instagram. In the picture, he’s wearing a graphic t-shirt and holding a coin to celebrate a special occasion.
Okay, so I finally got my hands on one, and it’s even more amazing up close! Around the rim, it says “To thine own self be true,” which, seriously, chills are running down my spine just thinking about it. But the center… oh, the center! It’s this perfect triangle, and inside, it has “unity, service, recovery” all around the number 18, written in Roman numerals – XVIII! It’s like, everything about it just means something, you know? I could stare at it all day.
As Eminem, 53, captioned the snap alongside a gold medal emoji, “XVIII.”
Eminem has previously discussed his struggle with prescription drug addiction, including medications like Vicodin, Valium, Ambien, and Xanax. This addiction began in the late 1990s and lasted until around 2008, eventually causing a serious health issue.
In his 2025 documentary, Stans, Eminem explained he fell into a dangerous pattern: he’d feel depressed and take more pills, but eventually, he needed higher and higher doses, which led to an overdose, according to Us Weekly.
He said he woke up in the hospital, completely disoriented and unsure of what had happened. He remembered being surrounded by medical equipment and feeling unable to move.
Eminem, who has three children – Hailie Jade (30), Alaina Marie (33), and Stevie Laine (24) – with his ex-wife Kim Scott, recently shared that he felt a strong need for change when he got home and felt like he wouldn’t survive if he didn’t make one.
The rapper, known for his song “Stepping Stone,” shared that missing his oldest daughter’s birthday party was a turning point for him.
Eminem said he cried because he realized he’d been missing out on life. He described a moment of self-reflection where he repeatedly asked himself if he wanted to repeat past mistakes and miss out again. He pushed himself, even using harsh language, to prioritize his loved ones if he couldn’t do it for himself.
As a result, he recalled, “I realized I’m never doing this again.”
His history of drug use impacted more than just his family. The musician explained that when he first got sober, he essentially had to relearn basic skills – how to walk, talk, and even rap.
He explained that his writing skills had declined significantly, but he found it really energizing when he started to regain them. He realized this improvement came from simply interacting with others – whether through conversations or even watching television.
While creating his 2009 album, Relapse, which explored his journey to sobriety, he felt strong enough to overcome the shame he felt about his past addiction.
Eminem explained that something happened that made him feel differently. ‘It turned the light on,’ he said, meaning he finally felt comfortable with being sober. He began to see his sobriety as a strength, and he was proud of overcoming his addiction.
For more stars who have opened up about their struggles with addiction, read on…
Following his DUI arrest in January 2026, the two-time NBA champion began seeking help for his addiction issues.
He explained on Page Six Radio that addiction is a brain disease, similar to cancer, and that no one would willingly choose to have such an illness.
Lamar explained that the more he learns about disease, the easier it becomes for him to maintain his sobriety.
The basketball star, who nearly died from a drug overdose in 2015, has spoken about wanting to be a positive influence on others, especially after reaching 60 days of sobriety.
He explained to USA Today in March 2026 that while he’s naturally strong mentally and physically, he still struggles with the desire to escape through substance use, just like anyone else. He believes his survival was meant to inspire others and give them the confidence to overcome their own challenges.
In October 2018, the actor known for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a year, marking the occasion with a positive and hopeful message.
He first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, realizing his addiction had become overwhelming. He quickly discovered it wasn’t easy.
He shared that he’s been sober for a year, something he’s incredibly proud of after a difficult journey. He encouraged anyone struggling with addiction to seek help, reminding them that there’s no shame in asking and that recovery is possible.
Looking back on his battle with addiction, he thought about how far he’d gone to keep it a secret.
He shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast, All the Fails, that he was in therapy but still struggled with unhealthy coping mechanisms. He described a cycle where he’d leave a productive therapy session and immediately go buy a bottle of vodka, drink it, and then drive home. He admitted he knew how to drink enough to disconnect from his feelings and avoid dealing with his life and the present moment.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much he’d drink, wanting to stay coherent enough to talk to me. He mentioned he was constantly swapping out the alcohol bottles at the bar.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall improperly while recovering from injuries during her time playing college soccer.
Let me tell you, I went through a really tough time with Adderall. I became seriously addicted and was misusing it constantly. I was taking it all the time, barely sleeping for days, and honestly, it was a really reckless period. I was crushing and snorting it, which, looking back, was incredibly dangerous and problematic. I genuinely felt like I was pushing my body way too far and risking my health.
However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.
I went through a really tough time, and honestly, things felt incredibly bleak. I had to completely rethink how I was approaching life. A friend, Anson, suggested I start reading, and I picked up Man’s Search for Meaning. It’s a book about finding purpose even in the midst of suffering, and it genuinely changed my perspective. It helped me reframe my challenges and ultimately, it changed my life for the better. It’s a book I recommend to everyone going through a difficult patch.
In October 2025, Migos member Quavo revealed he had been sober from codeine—an opioid often mixed with soda to create the drink known as sizzurp—for four years. He credited a serious conversation with his teenage son, Jordan, as the turning point that led to his recovery.
Offset shared a story on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer show about his son repeatedly asking for pineapple Fanta, even though he rarely drinks soda. What really got to Offset, though, was when his son noticed his Fanta was a different color and asked why, which Offset found incredibly touching.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really bothered him, adding, “I almost cried when I went to my room.”
The rapper explained he felt guilty as a parent. He was worried his son didn’t realize he was using drugs and was particularly troubled by small things, like his son wanting the same drink as him. He feared he was unintentionally setting a bad example.
The Academy Award-winning actor has often openly discussed December 29, 1975, the date he stopped drinking.
In an October 2025 interview on The New York Times‘ podcast, The Interview, he admitted he was driving drunk in California and essentially lost consciousness at the wheel. He said he had no idea where he was going until he understood the danger he posed – he could have seriously injured or killed someone, or even himself, a possibility he hadn’t worried about at the time. This realization led him to acknowledge he had a problem with alcohol.
By turning to a friend for support, he started a journey of recovery. In December 2025, he celebrated 50 years of sobriety and shared a message of hope with others who are struggling with similar challenges to those he faced decades ago.
He urged people to embrace life in an Instagram message, repeating simply, “Life, life, life and more life.”
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
Let me be really open with you all. I’m sharing something personal: I’m dealing with addiction. Specifically, I’ve struggled with cocaine, and it’s honestly been incredibly difficult to even admit that out loud. I wanted to be honest about my journey, and that means acknowledging this part of my life.
He explained that he’s struggled with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues to come and go. He’d sometimes stop the behavior, but then other times, he’d engage in it heavily.
Jax also stopped drinking, explaining that while he didn’t believe he had a serious alcohol issue, it was linked to his cocaine use. He couldn’t use cocaine without drinking alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s proud to have been sober for over 82 days – the longest stretch of his life without using either substance.
Oh my gosh, you guys, did you hear?! Tom Holland – the Spider-Man! – actually stopped drinking in 2022! He was on this podcast with Jay Shetty, and he was so honest. He said he was totally addicted to alcohol, which, honestly, I didn’t even know, but he wasn’t afraid to admit it. He even said if you have a beer every single day, you probably have a problem! I’m so proud of him for getting sober, he’s just the best and I admire him so much!
The actor explained that you eventually reach a point where you regret having that extra drink. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache.
After changing his lifestyle, Holland found that he slept more soundly and was better equipped to deal with challenges.
He explained that he was much calmer and more able to handle problems on set. He felt mentally clear, healthier, and in better physical shape.
Sean Connery, known for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly forty years ago.
He revealed in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only bringing it up when relevant. He shared that he’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described a difficult period after his move to Los Angeles in 1983, admitting to a severe cocaine addiction. He said he used a large amount of the drug daily for two years, comparing its prevalence at the time to that of coffee – everyone seemed to be using it constantly.
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 finds New York City incredibly relaxing. He loves simply walking around and discovering new details he’s never seen before – like noticing unique features on buildings he’s passed countless times. He also enjoys spending time with friends over lunch or coffee.
In April 2024, Anne Hathaway, known for her role in The Princess Diaries, revealed she’s been sober for over five years. She told The New York Times that reaching this point feels like a significant achievement.
She explained her decision simply. “I realized I didn’t want it,” she said. “It felt difficult to have to completely refuse, but I had to be firm. It’s like an allergy – if you have a serious reaction, you don’t question it. I just stopped trying to make it work.”
She’s glad she made the change. She explained, “For me, things are just better now. It used to really drag me down, and I don’t want to feel that way.”
When accepting the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House – a program helping women recover from addiction – Moore discussed how a period of self-destructive behavior almost ended her career.
I believe we all have key moments that define us and steer our lives. Early in my career, I was heading down a very destructive path. Despite any success I achieved, I constantly felt inadequate and had very little self-worth. This quickly led to a crisis, and at the time, I didn’t understand why it was happening – it almost felt like something greater was intervening.
In 2012, seeking help, Moore expressed gratitude to two people she hardly knew who gave her a wake-up call. She joked that they essentially told her she needed to get her life back on track or face the consequences, giving her “a chance to change direction before I ruined everything.”
Moore reflected that others recognized potential in her that she hadn’t seen in herself. She expressed deep gratitude for their belief in her, saying she wouldn’t be where she was today without their support.
Miley Cyrus revealed in 2022 that she’s been overcoming an addiction to Xanax since 2020. She told Rolling Stone that recovery provided much-needed stability during a difficult time. “It gave me structure when I really needed it, because I didn’t want to just dwell on things,” she explained. “It gave me hope.”
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to temporarily block out feelings and escape the pain, it marked the end of something.
She explained that her friends at the time didn’t discourage her drug use, and it quickly spiraled out of control, becoming a never-ending cycle. During the pandemic, Cyrus realized she was struggling and felt disconnected from her emotions. She remembers being constantly drowsy and falling asleep, unable to stay awake or even keep her eyes open because of how deeply affected she was.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
In his 2025 documentary, Stans, Eminem opened up about his past struggles with prescription pills. He shared that an overdose and missing his daughter Hailie Jade’s birthday were turning points that led him to change his life.
He explained that he started crying when he realized he was on the verge of repeating past mistakes. He described a harsh internal monologue, repeatedly asking himself if he really wanted to miss out on life again. He pushed himself, even using strong language, urging himself to prioritize the experience, if not for his own sake, then for the sake of those he cared about.
Focusing on making music again played a key role in the Oscar winner’s recovery from addiction.
He described how it activated a light. This made him realize he was no longer ashamed of being sober. Instead, he began to see his sobriety as a strength, and he felt proud of overcoming his addiction.
Oh my gosh, I was SO worried when I heard! Apparently, he’d been amazing – sixteen whole years sober! – but then he had that motorcycle accident in 2020 and, sadly, he started taking Vicodin again. It just broke my heart to hear it, but I’m still sending him all my support!
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medications consistently for about the past two months. He also mentioned he’s taking more than the prescribed amount.
He went on to say he was miserable and felt he had to keep lying to those around him. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing so fast that he was now using eight pills, thirty milligrams each, every day. He realized this was a dangerous amount and worried about the severe withdrawal symptoms he would face. He confessed to feeling increasingly scared and isolated, burdened by a huge secret he was keeping.
In 2018, the actress from Halloween openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opioid addiction. It began in the late 1980s after a small cosmetic procedure to address her naturally puffy eyes. The resulting prescription dramatically altered her life. She told People magazine that she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, and that no one suspected a thing.
In the summer of 1998, when her sister came to visit, Curtis reached her lowest point. Her sister had brought prescription painkillers for a broken rib, and Curtis admitted to taking them all. Remembering the moment, she explained that she knew her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving. She confessed in a note left on the suitcase. Thankfully, when her sister returned home that day, she embraced Curtis, telling her she loved her and was worried about her self-destructive behavior, refusing to stand by and watch her harm herself.
Jamie Lee Curtis went to her first support group meeting on February 3, 1999, and on that same day, she told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her past struggles with addiction. She explained that he was surprised he hadn’t realized it before, and she has remained sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has openly discussed her past struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, revealed in 2021 that she had reached a significant point in her recovery. Speaking on CBS Mornings, she shared that she’d been sober for two and a half years, realizing that alcohol simply wasn’t beneficial to her life.
It’s really freeing and a bit scary to finally share who you are, what you believe in, and everything you’ve worked towards.
Drew Barrymore told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to be seen as overly strict or judgmental.
She explained that she used to tell herself, ‘I can learn this, I’ll get it,’ but eventually she came to a different conclusion. ‘I finally understood I wasn’t going to master it, and never would,’ she said in 2023.
Bradley Cooper battled a cocaine addiction in the early 2000s. His friend, Will Arnett, helped him by directly addressing the issue and confronting him about his struggles.
Cooper shared in a 2022 podcast interview that it was the first time he truly recognized his struggles with drugs and alcohol, a moment he said he’ll never forget.
Cooper explained that Arnett helped him get sober, saying, “Arnett was willing to have a difficult but necessary conversation with me, which ultimately led me to change my life.”
The actor, known for his role in Fight Club, battled alcohol addiction for years until Bradley Cooper helped him get sober. Accepting an award from Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, he shared, “I got sober because of this guy, and I’ve been happier every day since.”
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that they had gone longer without using nicotine or marijuana – or any substances, really – than they had since their teenage years.
He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and substance dependency, saying that achieving sobriety brings a sense of clarity and a deeper spiritual connection, which feels truly good.
In 2018, the singer first celebrated six years of being sober while on tour. However, she surprised her fans later that year with the release of her honest song “Sober,” in which she shared that she had unfortunately relapsed.
She sang, filled with regret, apologizing to her parents for losing control. ‘Mom, I’m so sorry I’m not sober,’ she pleaded, and ‘Dad, please forgive me for the mess I’ve made.’ She also acknowledged those who had stayed by her side, admitting they’d faced this struggle before, and repeating her apology for not being sober.
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
She shared on Instagram a couple of weeks ago that she’s been open about her struggles with addiction. She explained that it’s an ongoing battle, not something she’s simply overcome, and that she still needs to work on getting better. She asked for time to focus on healing and staying sober, and expressed her gratitude for the support she’s received. She’s hopeful about the future and determined to continue her journey to recovery.
In 2018, she spoke about her past struggles with sex and alcohol. She explained that her addictions tended to shift over time, and when she was younger, she believed sex could solve any problem. She later realized this had developed into a more serious issue with drinking.
She recalled a low point when she was home alone and had already finished two bottles of wine, about to open a third. That’s when she realized she might have a drinking problem.
I stopped abruptly. That’s just how I am – I can cut things out completely. I tend to get really into things, so I always have to be careful and monitor my behavior. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. The motivation behind your actions is what matters. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but you need to understand why you want that.
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean revealed he first experimented with drugs before shooting the music video for their 2000 hit, “The Call.” He later told Good Morning America that he was extremely out of control during the video shoot. After a setback, he achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced significant improvements in his health within a year, including losing 32 pounds over seven months by giving up alcohol and junk food.
He told People magazine in July 2025 that he’s committed to staying on his current path. He described it as an ongoing daily effort, but said he’s finally taken advice from others in recovery, which has dramatically improved his life.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
I’ve been learning to set personal boundaries, something I didn’t used to do. It’s been really helpful. I also understand now that ‘AJ’ is just a public image, a role I play, but it doesn’t change who I am as a person – I’m Alexander James.
Following the unexpected death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow—born Shad Moss—revealed on Twitter that he had once battled an addiction to cough syrup, often called ‘lean.’ He shared a series of tweets explaining that during the time he and Omarion worked on their album, FACE OFF, he was using lean daily. He admitted to being high on the substance during a memorable on-stage moment at BET, where he confronted Torae. He explained that his behavior changed, leading to a negative reaction from fans and family, despite never mentioning lean in his music.
Bow Wow detailed that throughout the UCP tour with Chris Brown, he was consuming lean at least seven times a day. He hit rock bottom during a show in Cincinnati, collapsing backstage and waking up in the hospital experiencing withdrawal symptoms. He described the pain as unlike anything he’d ever felt, causing him to feel constantly cold and forcing him to miss shows in Chicago and Baltimore. He admitted he was using it to appear cool and urged others to avoid it, emphasizing the importance of being a good son or daughter and striving to be their best selves.
Bow Wow stated that he continues to suffer the physical consequences of his addiction, particularly with his stomach. He concluded by passionately advocating for a drug-free lifestyle, warning against following trends and encouraging young people to break the cycle of substance abuse. He expressed his love for his fans and his desire to see them live long, healthy lives, emphasizing the need for parents to educate their children about the dangers of drugs.
In 2018, the singer opened up about her struggles with addiction alongside the release of her album No Shame and her memoir, My Thoughts Exactly. She revealed she had been using cocaine and drinking heavily, describing herself as constantly intoxicated. Things came to a head when, after accidentally hitting Orlando Bloom with her head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and losing consciousness, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin organized an intervention to help her.
In an interview with The Guardian, she described feeling deeply unfulfilled. She recalled a particularly low point, saying she even considered trying heroin because nothing else seemed to alleviate her pain.
The actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction during the 1980s, leading him to seek treatment in 1990. He later shared on Today that he came of age in the 1960s and 70s, a time when attitudes toward drug use were very different.
He confessed that in the 1980s, his cocaine use was so extensive it rivaled some movie budgets. He described desperately pleading with God to help him stop, often right before work, only to find himself rationalizing his habit just hours later, thinking it wasn’t a big deal.
He described a powerful experience, what he called seeing a ‘white light,’ where he felt he was either dying or losing everything important in his life. He then had to explain this to his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan, and afterwards, he sought professional help. He says this marked the end of his struggle with cocaine.
Following an incident at a Newport Beach hotel where he attempted to break down his own door, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte began treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. According to his representative, Lochte had been struggling with addiction for years, leading to harmful behavior. He has recognized the need for professional help and is starting treatment right away.
The statement ended by saying Ryan understands overcoming this illness is crucial, not only to prevent future regrets, but also to be a good husband and father, and to have a chance at competing in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and regaining his position as a top swimmer.
Despite knowing you shouldn’t get sober for another person, actor Jason Ritter credits his relationship with Melanie Lynskey as a key factor in his decision to stop drinking.
He realized how wonderful she was and believed she deserved someone truly special. Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he admitted he didn’t think he was that person, feeling he was ‘a little bit too crazy’ for her.
However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.
Looking back on the beginning of their relationship, he explained that he often framed his actions as being for her benefit because he didn’t feel good about himself at the time. He prioritized avoiding her pain over his own, so it was simpler to say he was doing things ‘for her.’ Now, though, he’s motivated by his own well-being.
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but achieving that wasn’t easy. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started right after high school and continued even as his career grew. He admitted to People magazine that he always kept a black leather laptop bag nearby, filled with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka, and would drink from it every hour and a half to two hours. He also said he’d take a pill or two every three to four hours.
Despite everything, it didn’t hinder his achievements. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “Actually, I was more productive then – I wrote more songs back then than I do today, and that’s what really frightened me.”
In late 2011, he was hospitalized with pancreatitis and warned that his life was in danger if he didn’t stop drinking. He admitted he kept delaying getting help, trying to cut back himself. He’d tell himself things like, ‘I’ll only take two pills today,’ or ‘I’ll only drink this much,’ and he’d even mark his bottles to track his limits. This worked for a few days, but then he’d end up at a party and start drinking again.
Gilbert finally realized he needed help and checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. He explained, “I reached a point where I knew I couldn’t overcome it by myself.” He admitted it was frustrating and humiliating, saying, “I’m usually a very determined person, but this was the one thing I just couldn’t seem to control.”
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2026-04-21 16:55