Lucy Hale is honoring a major milestone.
The former Pretty Little Liars star marked four years of being sober by sharing thoughts on the challenging, but positive, path she’s taken to improve her health.
In an Instagram post from January 2nd, Lucy shared that four years ago, she went through a really difficult time – what she described as her lowest point. Surprisingly, she now sees that experience as a turning point that ultimately led to positive change and growth in her life.
It hasn’t been easy,” she said. “There have been times of pain, sadness, and feeling alone, forcing me to really look at myself. But getting sober gave me my life back, and I’m thankful for everything that led me here.
The 36-year-old also included an emotional message to anyone who is struggling with addiction.
She encouraged her followers to remember that it’s never too late to start fresh. She urged them to persevere, be true to themselves, and don’t hesitate to ask for support. You deserve a life you can be proud of, and your life and experiences are valuable. Things will improve, she assured them.
She even shared her own revelations since beginning her sobriety journey in 2022.
She finished by saying she’d come to understand that darkness isn’t necessarily frightening. In fact, it’s often what helps us find our way to hope and happiness.
Lucy posted a picture celebrating her sobriety and added some hopeful messages about what’s to come.
Cleo Wade writes in her book, In a World of Sunrises, that every new beginning offers possibilities. We aren’t stuck being who we were or living the way we have been. We have the power to change, break old habits, and move forward, leaving behind what holds us back to embrace new connections and a brighter future.
In a caption accompanying a photo on her Instagram, Matt Cooke wrote, “A future you is telling an amazing story about how everything worked out.”
Okay, so Lucy getting sober has been amazing to watch. Seriously, she’s always been incredible, but seeing her talk about how it helped her with social anxiety just… wow. She was on Call Her Daddy last October and said something that really stuck with me – she said she realized so many genuinely fascinating, deep, and wonderful people deal with the same kinds of struggles. It made me feel so connected to her, and honestly, it was really powerful.
She shared that she was really excited to discuss these topics, feeling confident in who she is. It’s a daily practice for her – a conscious choice to prioritize her own well-being and live a meaningful life. She explained that she actively chooses to focus on herself because she wants to be present and experience life to the fullest.
For more celebs who’ve shared their sobriety journeys, keep reading.
After the Backstreet Boys member relapsed in 2021, he noted he “got sober again for the last time.”
Okay, so he finally talked about it, and I’m losing it! He told People magazine back in July 2025 that he’s totally committed to this – it’s something he deals with every single day. But get this – he listened to us, the fans who’ve been encouraging him to get help, and he said it’s completely turned his life around for the better! I’m so incredibly proud of him; it’s amazing to hear!
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
Honestly, listening to him talk about finding ‘boundaries’… it just melted my heart. He said he never had them before, and now he does, and it’s like, a blessing to him. It’s so beautiful to see him grow. He explained that ‘AJ’ is almost like a character he plays, a persona, but it’s not him. The real him, the incredible, amazing man, is Alexander James. That’s who he truly is, and knowing that… it just gets me.
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 uplifting message.
He shared that he first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, when his addiction became overwhelming. He admitted it was a very difficult process.
He shared that after a challenging journey, he’s been sober for a year, and he’s incredibly proud of this accomplishment. He encouraged anyone who is struggling 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 struggling with alcohol. He described a cycle where he’d leave a productive therapy session and immediately go buy vodka, drink it to excess, and then drive home. He admitted he used alcohol to escape his feelings and disconnect from 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 switching out the alcohol bottles at the bar.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall inappropriately while recovering from injuries during her time playing college soccer.
She shared on the 2025 podcast Question Everything with Danielle Robay that she had become seriously addicted to Adderall and was using it in a dangerous way. She explained she was taking it constantly, often going for days without sleep. It was an incredibly chaotic period, and she worried about causing serious health problems like a heart attack. She admitted to taking the drug by crushing and snorting it, describing her behavior as deeply problematic.
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 a life-changing book called Man’s Search for Meaning. The book dealt with the topic of suffering and how to view it differently, and it had a profound impact on her.
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 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 struck Offset was when his son noticed the color of his Fanta was different 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 father. He was worried his son didn’t realize he was using drugs and that even something as simple as his son wanting the same drink made him feel responsible for potentially influencing him.
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 under the influence in California and essentially lost consciousness at the wheel. He said he had no idea where he was going until he realized the danger he posed to others – or himself, which he didn’t seem to care about at the time – and that moment made him recognize he had a problem with alcohol.
With support from a friend, 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 addiction, just as he once did.
He encouraged choosing life and embracing it fully, writing on Instagram, “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 struggled with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues to come and go. He’d sometimes stop, but then other times, it would become a significant focus again.
Jax stopped drinking and using cocaine at the same time. He explained that while he didn’t believe he had a serious drinking problem, he always used cocaine with alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s now been sober for over 82 days, which is the longest stretch of abstinence he’s ever experienced.
I’ve been a huge Tom Holland fan for years, and I was really moved by what he shared recently. He actually stopped drinking in 2022 because he felt like alcohol had too much control over his life. He was really open about it on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, admitting he was definitely addicted. He even said he thinks anyone who has a beer every day might have a bit of a problem, and honestly, it was so brave of him to talk about it.
The actor explained that you eventually reach a point where you regret having one too many drinks. This usually results in a bad headache the next morning.
After changing his lifestyle, Holland found he was sleeping more soundly and coping with challenges more effectively.
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 decades-long journey with sobriety, which started nearly forty years ago.
He revealed in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only mentioning it when it feels relevant. He shared that he’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described his early years in Los Angeles after leaving New York in 1983 as a period of intense struggle with cocaine addiction. He admitted to using a significant amount of the drug daily, comparing its prevalence at the time to that of coffee, and said it was common for everyone around him 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 calming. 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 has 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 it wasn’t the right path for me,” she said. “It felt difficult to completely reject it, but I had to. It’s like an allergy – if you have a severe reaction, you don’t try to fight it. I finally stopped questioning my instincts.”
She’s glad she made the change. “Personally, I’ve found that things have improved in every way,” she explained. “It used to really bring me down, and I just don’t want to feel that way anymore.”
Oh my gosh, when I heard Demi accept the Woman of the Year award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, it just… wrecked me, in the best way. She talked about how close she came to losing everything, about this ‘self-destructive path’ she was on. It was so brave of her to share, and honestly, it just made me love her even MORE. Knowing she battled so much and still came out on top? Incredible. It’s like, she’s not just a talented actress, she’s a total inspiration for anyone struggling with addiction. I was completely floored.
I believe we all have key moments that shape our lives and future. Early in my career, I was heading down a very destructive path, and despite any success I achieved, I constantly felt inadequate. I had very little self-worth, and this quickly led to a major crisis. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but it felt like something—maybe fate—intervened.
Moore, who began receiving treatment in 2012, expressed gratitude to two people she hardly knew for challenging her to change her life. She joked that they essentially told her she needed to get help or face the consequences, and that they gave her an opportunity to get back on track before she 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 have achieved her current success 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 and purpose during a difficult time, helping her avoid overthinking and giving her a sense of optimism.
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to briefly escape pain, they were finished with something – implying a point of no return.
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, Miley realized she was struggling and felt disconnected. She remembered being constantly drowsy, unable to stay awake or even keep her head up 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 because he realized he was on the verge of repeating past mistakes. He described an internal monologue where he challenged himself, asking if he really wanted to miss out on life again. He urged himself to push forward, even if it was difficult, and to do it for the sake of his loved ones.
Focusing on making music again was a key part of the Oscar winner’s recovery from addiction.
He said it did something – it switched the light on. He realized he wasn’t ashamed of being sober anymore. Instead, he started to see his sobriety as a strength and felt proud of overcoming his addiction.
The actor, known for their role in Parenthood, had been sober for 16 years when they experienced a relapse in 2020. This happened after a motorcycle accident led them to take Vicodin.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the last two months, and is also taking extra doses beyond what’s prescribed.
He went on, saying he was miserable and felt he had to keep up appearances by lying to others. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing rapidly – he was now taking around eight pills a day. He realized this meant a difficult withdrawal was inevitable, and he was becoming increasingly frightened and isolated, burdened by a huge secret.
In 2018, the actress best 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 a family trait – puffy eyes. The resulting prescription dramatically altered her life. She told People magazine that she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, keeping it a secret from everyone.
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. She confessed in a note left on her sister’s suitcase, anticipating the missing pills would be discovered before her sister left. When her sister found the note, she responded with love and concern, telling Curtis she couldn’t bear to watch her self-destruct.
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 struggles with addiction. She explained that he was surprised he hadn’t realized she was going through this, and she has been sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance abuse, 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, explaining that alcohol simply wasn’t benefiting her life anymore.
You know, I’ve found something incredibly powerful in my work with people: sharing who you truly are – your passions, your struggles, everything you’ve poured your heart into – is this amazing mix of freedom and vulnerability. It’s like a weight lifts when you finally let yourself be seen, but it takes courage too. It’s a really beautiful thing to witness and experience.
Drew Barrymore later told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to come across as overly strict or judgmental.
She explained that she used to tell herself, ‘I’ll get the hang of this, I’ll find a way to make it work.’ But eventually, she came to a different conclusion: ‘I’m not going to master this, and that’s okay.’
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 that it was the first time he truly understood he was struggling with drugs and alcohol. He said he’ll never forget that moment of realization.
Cooper explained that Arnett was instrumental in his decision to get sober, saying, “Arnett bravely confronted me, which ultimately led me to change my life for the better.”
Oh my gosh, I was SO moved when I heard Edward Norton talk about Bradley Cooper! He revealed that Bradley literally saved his life. Norton has been open about his struggles with alcohol for years, and he said, right there at the National Board of Review Awards, that he got sober because of Bradley. He said it with so much emotion, and then he added that every single day since has been happier! It’s just… incredible. I mean, Bradley Cooper is a hero, and their friendship is everything. I’ve rewatched that clip a million times!
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that they hadn’t used nicotine or marijuana—or any substances, really—for the longest time since their 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 celebrated six years of being sober while on tour. However, she surprised her fans later that year with the release of her honest single, “Sober,” in which she admitted to having a relapse.
She sang, filled with regret, apologizing to her parents for losing control. “Mom, I’m truly sorry I’m not sober, and Dad, please forgive the mess I’ve made. To those who have always been there for me, I know we’ve faced this before, and I’m so sorry I’ve relapsed.”
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. She needs to focus on healing and staying sober, and she’s grateful for all the support she’s received. She hopes to fully recover and is determined to keep fighting for her sobriety.
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 then described realizing she had also developed a serious issue with drinking.
She recalled a particularly low point when she was home alone and nearly finished a third bottle of wine. It was then she realized she might have a drinking problem, thinking to herself, ‘Wait a minute – this isn’t right.’
I stopped abruptly, which I’m actually good at. I tend to get really fixated on things and fall into patterns, so I always need to be mindful of my behavior. It’s not necessarily what you do, but why you’re doing it, and the motivations behind it. For example, having a lot of sex is fine, but it’s important to examine why you’re engaging in that behavior.
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. McLean achieved sobriety in 2021, and within a year, he experienced significant improvements in his health, including losing 32 pounds in seven months by eliminating alcohol and fast food.
He told Today in September 2022 that drinking led to weight gain and also negatively affected his mental health.
Following the unexpected death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow—born Shad Moss—shared on Twitter that he had previously battled an addiction to cough syrup, often called “lean.” He explained that while working on the “FACE OFF” album with Omarion, he was using lean every day. He admitted to being high on the substance during a memorable on-stage confrontation with Torae on BET, and that it negatively impacted his attitude, his relationship with fans, and his family. Despite never mentioning lean in his music, he was heavily addicted, consuming it at least seven times a day during his UCP tour with Chris Brown. He described a frightening experience where he collapsed backstage in Cincinnati and woke up in the hospital experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Bow Wow emphasized the intense pain of withdrawal and the physical toll the addiction took on his body, even causing him to miss shows in Chicago and Baltimore. He admitted he was using it to appear cool, and urged others to avoid the same mistake, encouraging them to be good sons and daughters and strive to be their best selves. He vowed to speak out more about the dangers of drug use, particularly to protect young people, and asked parents to talk to their children about the risks. He revealed he almost died from his syrup use.
Bow Wow shared that he still experiences stomach problems as a result of his addiction, and stressed the importance of staying drug-free. He concluded by pleading with young people not to follow harmful trends, to break the cycle of drug use, and to prioritize their lives, expressing his love and support for fans around the world.
2018 was just… a lot. Lily Allen really laid everything bare with No Shame and My Thoughts Exactly, and honestly, it was heartbreaking hearing about how bad things had gotten with her addiction. She talked about being completely out of control, abusing cocaine and basically living as a ‘parasitically drunk’ person, which is just… devastating. But the craziest part? Apparently, it all came to a head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party! I read that she accidentally headbutted Orlando Bloom and knocked herself out! That’s when Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin finally stepped in and staged an intervention. Can you imagine?! It was such a mess, but I admire her so much for being so open about it all.
I was really struck by something she shared with The Guardian. She described feeling completely empty and unfulfilled, like nothing could make her feel better. It was heartbreaking to hear her say that she actually considered trying heroin because everything else had failed to bring her any relief. It just shows how incredibly lost and desperate she was at that time.
The actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction during the 1980s, eventually entering rehab 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 a few hours later, thinking it wasn’t that bad.
Let me tell you, I went through something incredibly intense – I call it a ‘white light experience.’ It was a moment where I truly confronted the possibility of losing everything I valued, or even facing death. It was so profound, I immediately needed to sit down with my then-fiancée, Meg Ryan, and explain what I was going through. That conversation, and the realization it brought, led me to seek help, and honestly, it marked the absolute end of my struggle with cocaine. It was a turning point, a real wake-up call.
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. A representative for Lochte told TopMob News that he’d been struggling with alcohol abuse for years, leading to a harmful cycle. Lochte recognized the need for professional help and began treatment immediately.
According to a recent statement, Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial for his future – allowing him to make good choices, be a devoted husband and father, and pursue his dream of competing in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
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 when they first started dating, he admitted it was simpler to justify his actions by saying he was doing them for her. He explained that he didn’t value his own well-being as much then and was more concerned with protecting her feelings. Initially, framing things as ‘for her’ felt easier, but now he’s motivated by his own needs.
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but achieving that wasn’t easy. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school and continued even as his career gained momentum. He confessed 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 admitted to taking pills “every three or four hours.”
Despite everything, it didn’t hinder his achievements. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “I was actually very productive – I wrote more songs during that time 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 at risk if he didn’t quit drinking. He admitted he kept delaying getting help, trying to cut back on his own. “I’d tell myself things like, ‘Okay, just two pills today,’ or ‘I’ll only drink this much from the bottle and mark the level,’” he remembered. “It would work for a couple of days, but then someone would have a party and I’d start again.”
Gilbert ultimately decided he needed help and checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. He explained, “I realized I couldn’t overcome this on my own.” He admitted it was frustrating and humiliating, saying, “I’m usually very determined, but this was the one thing I just couldn’t control.”
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2026-01-02 23:51