Jesse Metcalfe is looking back at how far he’s come.
Nearly twenty years after getting help for addiction, the actor from John Tucker Must Die spoke about his battle with drugs and alcohol, which led him to enter treatment in 2007.
Jesse, 47, recently shared on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast that he’s battled with substance abuse. He explained that the intense pressure and public attention led him to seek an escape.
Eventually, addiction stops being about the feelings that caused it in the first place. It just is addiction. It’s like being drawn to alcohol or drugs whenever they’re available.
He didn’t just talk about his personal challenges; he also opened up about a history of drug and alcohol addiction within his family.
I was really hoping the pattern would stop with my generation,” the former Desperate Housewives star explained. “I talk about the fact that alcoholism is in my family history – both of my grandfathers struggled with it. Thankfully, my father has been sober for a while now.”
Since completing treatment, Jesse has experienced challenges in maintaining his sobriety, admitting to having relapses in the late 2010s.
He admitted he hadn’t been consistently sober, but shared that he is now doing well and focusing on his current positive state, which he feels is the most important thing.
He explained that after struggling with addiction for most of his adult life, even a single relapse feels devastating. He emphasized that those moments of giving in are never worth the resulting self-loathing.
Honestly, seeing Jesse get sober has been amazing, but it’s gone even further than just that! He’s actually started tackling other stuff in his life, things beyond just dealing with drugs and alcohol. And you know what he says is the biggest thing that’s helped? Asking for help! It’s so inspiring to see him actually reach out when he needs it – it makes me feel like anything is possible.
The actor from Dallas described the experience as deeply traumatic. He felt like he was reliving past trauma, as if a vulnerable part of himself – a hurt inner child – was responding to everything around him. He’s been in therapy for a long time, and it’s been expensive because the most effective therapists aren’t covered by his insurance.
Jesse added, “Therapy’s great.”
For more stars who have gotten candid about their addiction and sobriety, keep reading…
Oh my gosh, back in October 2018, my idol, the amazing guy from American Pie, shared the most incredible news on Instagram! He announced he’d been sober for a whole year! It was such a positive and inspiring post, I seriously teared up. It meant so much to me and I was just so proud of him!
He first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, realizing his addiction had become overwhelming. He quickly discovered it was a difficult process.
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, emphasizing 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.
Okay, so I heard him talk about this on Jenny Mollen’s podcast, and honestly, it broke my heart but I get it? He was in therapy, trying to deal with stuff, and then immediately after a good session, he’d just…go buy a whole bottle of vodka. Like, a fifth! And drink it. Then drive home. He basically admitted he figured out how to get completely wasted so he could just check out, disconnect from everything, and avoid actually feeling anything. It’s so sad, but I kind of understand needing to escape like that. He’s so honest, it’s devastating.
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 refilling the empty bottles at the bar.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall inappropriately while recovering from injuries she sustained in college.
She shared on the 2025 podcast Question Everything with Danielle Robay that she had become seriously addicted to Adderall and was using it improperly. She explained she was taking it constantly, often going days without sleep. It was a chaotic period, and she worried about her health, feeling like she was pushing herself to the point of a heart attack. She admitted to taking the drug by crushing and snorting it, acknowledging it was a very difficult time.
However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.
She described a difficult time where she had to adapt significantly. Anson encouraged her to read, and she found the book Man’s Search for Meaning particularly impactful. It helped her understand and cope with suffering, and ultimately changed her perspective on life.
In October 2025, Migos member Quavo revealed he had been sober from codeine—an opioid often mixed with soda to make “sizzurp”—for four years. He credited a serious conversation with his teenage son, Jordan, as the turning point that led him to get clean.
Offset shared a story on the show Baby, This Is Keke Palmer 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.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really upset 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 hadn’t realized there were drugs present and was particularly troubled by small things, like his son wanting the same drink as him. He feared even these innocent moments meant he was having a negative influence.
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 completely blacked out. He had no idea where he was going until he realized the danger he posed – he could have seriously injured or killed someone, or even himself, a possibility he hadn’t cared about at the time. This moment, he said, made him recognize 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 the same challenges he faced decades ago.
He encouraged choosing life in an Instagram message, repeating the word ‘life’ several times to emphasize its importance: “Life, life, life, and more life.”
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
Jax revealed on the March 4th episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast that he’s struggling with addiction, specifically with cocaine. He admitted it was difficult to talk about.
He explained that he’s been struggling with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues. He’d have periods where he stopped, followed by times when it became much more intense.
Jax also stopped drinking, noting that while he didn’t believe he had a serious alcohol issue, it was connected to his cocaine use. He explained he couldn’t use cocaine without drinking alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s proud to have been sober for 82 or 83 days, which is the longest period of abstinence he’s ever achieved.
Tom Holland, known for his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, quit drinking in 2022 because he felt controlled by alcohol. He admitted on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that he was addicted. “I was definitely addicted to alcohol, and I’m not afraid to say that,” Holland shared, adding that he believes having a beer every day could be a sign of a problem.
The actor went on to explain that you eventually reach a point where you regret having one too many drinks. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache the next day.
After adopting a healthier lifestyle, Holland found he was sleeping more soundly and coping with challenges more effectively.
He explained that he was much more relaxed and able to handle problems on set. He felt mentally clear, healthier, and in better physical shape.
Sean Connery, famous for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly four decades ago.
He shared in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only bringing it up when relevant. He’s been sober since February 23, 1985 – a total of 39 years.
Alec described his early years in Los Angeles after leaving New York in 1983 as a period of intense struggle with cocaine use. He admitted to using a very large amount of the drug, comparing it to how common coffee was at the time, and said that many people were 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 calming. He loves simply walking around and discovering new details he’s never noticed before – like interesting features on buildings he’s passed countless times. He also really 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 felt like a significant achievement.
Honestly, hearing her say it just made everything click. She explained it like, she just knew it wasn’t right for her, deep down. It sounds so simple when she puts it that way! She kept getting hung up on having to say ‘absolutely none,’ like it felt so drastic. But then she said something that really hit me – it’s like being allergic to something! You don’t debate an allergic reaction, right? So she just…stopped fighting it. It’s brilliant, honestly. It all makes so much sense now!
She’s glad she made the change. “Personally, I’ve found things are much better since,” she explained. “It used to really bring me down, and I just don’t want to feel that way anymore.”
While receiving the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House – a home that helps women recover from substance and alcohol abuse – Moore discussed how she almost lost her career due to a period of self-destructive behavior.
I think we all have key moments that define us and change the course of our lives. Early in my career, I was heading down a really destructive path. Even when I achieved success, I never felt satisfied or good enough about myself. I had very little self-worth, and things quickly spiraled into a crisis. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but it almost felt like something – or someone – intervened to help.
In 2012, seeking help, Moore expressed gratitude to two people she hadn’t known well who essentially challenged her to change her ways. She joked that they told her she needed to get her life together or face the consequences, giving her “a chance to get back on track before I ruined everything.”
Looking back, it’s amazing how much potential they saw in me, even more than I recognized in myself at the time. I’m incredibly thankful for that – their belief in me and the chance they took truly made everything possible. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Oh my gosh, I was SO relieved when Cyrus finally opened up about her struggles! She revealed in 2022 that she’s been battling Xanax addiction since 2020, and honestly, it just made me love her even more. She told Rolling Stone that getting into recovery actually helped her, giving her the structure she desperately needed when she was just… lost in her own head. She said it gave her hope, and hearing that… it just meant everything. It’s amazing to see her being so honest and strong!
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to briefly escape their pain, it meant the end of something – likely a difficult period or relationship.
She explained that her friends back then seemed to accept her drug use, which led to a downward spiral. During the pandemic, she realized she was struggling and felt disconnected from her emotions. She remembers often falling asleep and being unable to stay awake, admitting she had gone too far.
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 revealed 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 became emotional realizing he had been missing out. He described a harsh internal pep talk, repeatedly asking himself if he wanted to repeat past mistakes and miss out on life again. He even used strong language, challenging himself to act, if not for his own sake, then for the sake of those he cared about.
Focusing on making music again was a key part of 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 view his sobriety as a strength and felt proud of his decision to quit.
The former star of Parenthood had been sober for 16 years when they experienced a relapse in 2020. This happened after a motorcycle accident led to them taking Vicodin.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the past two months, and is also taking additional doses beyond what’s prescribed.
He went on to say he hated what was happening and felt he was deceiving everyone around him. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing so fast that he was now using eight pills a day. He realized this was a dangerous amount and worried about the severe withdrawal symptoms he’d face. He was becoming increasingly scared and isolated, burdened by a huge secret he was keeping.
In 2018, the actress known for her role in Halloween openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opioid addiction. It began in the late 1980s after she had a small cosmetic procedure to address puffy eyes, a family trait. The resulting prescription dramatically altered her life. She told People magazine that she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, all in secret. “No one knew,” she said. “No one.”
Curtis recalls the summer of 1998 as her lowest point. Her sister arrived with prescription painkillers for a broken rib, and Curtis ended up taking them all. Remembering the event brought her to tears as she explained that she knew her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving. She confessed in a note left on the suitcase. When her sister left, she embraced Curtis, expressing her love and concern, and stating she couldn’t bear to watch Curtis destroy herself.
Jamie Lee Curtis went to her first support group meeting on February 3, 1999, and that same day, she told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her struggles with addiction. She explained that he was surprised he hadn’t realized what she was going through, and she has remained sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has openly struggled with alcohol and drug addiction and sought treatment in the past, 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 helpful in her life.
She explained that sharing who you truly are and the things you’ve achieved is both freeing and makes you feel exposed, which is a really interesting combination.
Drew Barrymore later 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 in 2023, she had a breakthrough. After constantly telling herself she would eventually understand and conquer the challenge, she finally accepted that it wasn’t something she’d ever truly master.
Bradley Cooper battled a cocaine addiction in the early 2000s. His friend, Will Arnett, helped him by directly addressing his struggles and holding him accountable.
Cooper shared in a 2022 podcast interview on Smartless that it was the first moment he recognized he was struggling with substance use, an experience he said he’ll never forget.
Honestly, Arnett basically saved my life. I mean, he was the one who really got through to me about getting sober. He wasn’t afraid to be brutally honest, even if it was a tough conversation, and that’s what finally made me realize I needed to change things. I owe everything to him, seriously.
Oh my gosh, I was SO moved when I heard this! Edward Norton actually admitted that Bradley Cooper helped him get sober! He said it right there at the National Board of Review Awards – Bradley presented him with an award, and Edward just straight-up told everyone, ‘I got sober because of this guy!’ Can you believe it? And he added that every single day since then has been better. It’s just… everything. They’re both amazing, and this story just proves how incredible Bradley is. I’m seriously obsessed with their friendship!
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that she hadn’t used nicotine or marijuana—or any substances, really—for the longest time since her teenage years.
He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and substance dependency, saying that achieving sobriety, mental clarity, and a stronger spiritual connection feels incredibly good.
In 2018, the singer first celebrated six years of being sober while on tour. However, she surprised her fans later that year by releasing the song “Sober,” in which she admitted to having struggled with relapse.
As someone who often talks about navigating life’s challenges, I’ve always believed in the power of acknowledging when you’ve stumbled. This song really captures that raw honesty. It’s a vulnerable plea for forgiveness – a daughter admitting she’s lost control and asking for understanding from her parents and those who’ve stood by her, even when things got tough. It’s a heartbreaking confession, repeating the simple, painful truth: ‘I’m not sober anymore,’ and really speaks to the cycle of struggle and the courage it takes to ask for help.
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’s taking time to heal and focus on staying sober, and is incredibly grateful for all the support she’s received. She’s hopeful for the future and determined to continue fighting for her recovery.
Looking back on my life, I’ve definitely had to confront some challenging patterns. Around 2018, I realized I was struggling with addictive behaviors, and it’s been a journey of understanding how those manifested. It started with what I now recognize as a reliance on sex to feel okay – a way of trying to fix things that just wasn’t healthy. Over time, that shifted, and I found myself developing a really concerning relationship with alcohol. It’s been about recognizing these shifts and learning to address them in a healthier way.
She recalled a moment when she was home alone and realized she was nearly finishing her third bottle of wine. That’s when she stopped and thought, ‘This isn’t good. Drinking this much alone could be a sign of a problem.’
I just completely stopped – that’s something I’m actually good at, going cold turkey. I’ve always been someone who gets really into things, almost obsessively, so I have to be careful. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how you approach it, and more importantly, why. It’s about the motivations behind your actions. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but you need to ask yourself why you want that – that’s the part you really need to examine.
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean revealed he first experimented with drugs before filming the music video for their 2000 hit, “The Call.” He later told Good Morning America that he was feeling extremely out of control during the video shoot. After a setback, he achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced significant improvements to his health within a year, including losing 32 pounds in 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 a daily effort, but said he’s finally taken advice from the recovery community, which has dramatically improved his life.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
You know, I’ve been doing a lot of self-work lately, and it’s been incredibly freeing. For a long time, I didn’t understand the importance of setting boundaries – I just didn’t have them! Now, I’m finally establishing those healthy limits, and it’s a real game-changer. People know me by different names – AJ, Alexander James – and while those are all parts of my public persona, at the end of the day, I’m Alexander James, and that’s who I truly am. It’s about reclaiming your identity and being authentic.
Following the tragic death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow—born Shad Moss—revealed on Twitter that he had previously battled an addiction to cough syrup, often called “lean.” He explained 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 confrontation with Torae on BET, and that it negatively impacted his behavior, relationships with fans and family. He emphasized he never glorified drug use in his music. He detailed being addicted throughout the UCP tour with Chris Brown, consuming it up to seven times a day, until a health scare during a show in Cincinnati led to hospitalization and withdrawal.
Bow Wow described the withdrawal as the worst pain he’d ever experienced, causing him to feel intensely cold and forcing him to miss shows in Chicago and Baltimore. He shared that he was using drugs to fit in and urged others to avoid the same mistake, encouraging them to be good children and strive to be their best selves. He vowed to speak out more about the dangers of drug use, hoping to prevent others from an early death. He asked parents to talk to their children about the risks. He confessed that his body, particularly his stomach, still suffers the effects of the addiction.
He concluded by reiterating his commitment to staying drug-free and pleaded with young people to break the cycle of drug use, emphasizing the importance of protecting the next generation and preventing further loss.
In 2018, the singer opened up about her struggles with addiction, coinciding with 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 a headbutt at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and losing consciousness, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin organized an intervention for 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 best known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction throughout 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 during the 1980s, he was using cocaine almost every day, to the point where it impacted his finances and work life. He described desperately pleading with God to help him stop, promising to quit, only to find himself using again just hours later, rationalizing that things weren’t so bad.
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 decided to get help. This, he said, 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 entered treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. According to his representative, Lochte had been struggling with alcohol for years, and it had become a harmful cycle. He recognized the need for professional help and began treatment immediately.
According to a statement, Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial – not just for avoiding future regrets, but also for being a good husband and father, and for having a chance to compete in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and reclaim his place 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 feel up to the task, saying he felt ‘a little bit too crazy’ to be with 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, because he didn’t feel good about himself at the time. He was more concerned with protecting her feelings than his own. Initially, it was simpler to justify his choices by saying, ‘I’m doing this for her.’ But now, he’s finally prioritizing his own well-being and doing things for himself.
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but reaching this point was a difficult journey. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school and continued even as his career gained momentum. 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 “every hour and a half to two hours.” He also said he’d take a pill or two every three to four hours.
It didn’t hinder his accomplishments at all. “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 worried me.”
In late 2011, he was hospitalized with pancreatitis and warned that his life was in danger if he continued to drink. He admitted he initially tried to cut back on his own, setting daily limits like only taking a couple of pills or drinking a certain amount from a bottle and marking it to keep track. He said this worked for a short time, but then social events would derail his progress.
Gilbert ultimately realized he needed professional help and checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. He explained, “I finally admitted I couldn’t overcome this on my own.” He added that it was incredibly frustrating and humiliating, especially because he considered himself a strong person, but this was one struggle he couldn’t conquer.
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2026-03-17 22:20