Rosie O’Donnell is not hiding her struggles.
More than six months after Chelsea Belle O’Donnell, the daughter of actress Rosie O’Donnell, had her probation canceled and began serving time in prison for several felony offenses, she expressed her emotions in a poem called “the visit.”
Rosie wrote on Substack on June 12th that she hadn’t heard from the person in over a week, which she found unusual since they had been transferred from jail to prison.
Chelsea, Rosie’s adopted daughter since 1997 (along with Kelli Carpenter), was sent to jail in October after pleading guilty to drug possession, resisting arrest, and skipping bail. These charges stemmed from three separate arrests earlier in 2024.
Rosie acknowledged her daughter’s arrest and recently shared that families experience pain when someone they care about is imprisoned.
The 64-year-old, who is a mother to Parker (31), Blake (26), and Vivienne (23) with Kelli, and Clay (12) with her late ex-wife Michelle Rounds, showed how difficult things are for her right now.
Honestly, it’s been months since she’s really lived. She’s essentially confined, spending 23 hours a day indoors with only about 24 minutes of sunlight. And even then, she has to rush a shower in alongside it all. It’s a really strange feeling, like I’ve stepped into someone else’s story, watching another person’s childhood unfold. I just find myself going through the motions, answering the phone… it doesn’t feel like my life, you know?
Visiting my daughter in prison is always incredibly difficult – it breaks my heart every time. But honestly, our most recent visit actually gave me a little bit of hope, which I wasn’t expecting at all.
You know, as someone who’s navigated a lot of family dynamics, I’ve learned that unconditional love really is everything. I’ve been telling my daughter, no matter what happens, I’m here for her – I’ll always be by her side to support and guide her. And honestly, seeing her embrace recovery has been such a gift. It’s not a struggle anymore, we have a really beautiful connection, and her progress gives me so much hope for the future.
Rosie admitted that while hope is important, it has its limits when someone you care about is battling addiction. She explained, “It’s a never-ending cycle of ups and downs.”
Oh my gosh, she calls me every single day! It’s unbelievable. We’ve really connected, especially with everything that’s been going on. I’m just so thankful for that, honestly. The fact that she’s okay, that she’s alive… it means the world. I’m already picturing her life after she gets out, and she’s determined to stay clean, to be completely drug-free. It’s just… amazing. I’m so excited for her new beginning!
Rosie responded to Chelsea, a mother of four who expressed a desire for peace and reconciliation with her children, simply saying, “Me too.”
Rosie later described going to visit her daughter at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, a prison in Wisconsin.
Rosie remembered thinking, ‘When Chelsea won, my heart raced! She looked amazing – healthy, peaceful, with bright blue eyes and clear skin, especially in her green uniform.’
The former The View host also shared insight into her feelings after the visit with her daughter.
Rosie reflected, “The storm raged as we drove to the hotel, and I tried to make sense of everything that had occurred. It was an important day for both of us.” She added, “Unconditional love is the only path forward—especially through motherhood—and requires both love and forgiveness.”
If you’re interested in hearing from more celebrities who have openly discussed their experiences with addiction and recovery, continue reading.
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 celebrating 60 days of sobriety.
He explained to USA Today in March 2026 that while he’s naturally resilient both mentally and physically, he’s just as vulnerable to wanting to escape through substance use as anyone else. He believes his survival was meant to inspire others to overcome their own challenges and find hope, and that’s likely why he was spared.
In October 2018, the actor known for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a year, marking the milestone with a positive and uplifting message.
He shared that he first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, realizing his addiction had become 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 that accomplishment. He encouraged anyone who is struggling with addiction to seek help, reminding them that there’s no shame in asking for support and that recovery is possible.
Looking back on his experiences, he thought about his battle with addiction and how far he had gone to keep it secret.
As a lifestyle expert, I often talk about balance and healthy coping mechanisms, so this story really struck me. Actor Jason Biggs recently shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast how he was caught in a difficult cycle: He’d be actively in therapy, making progress, then immediately afterward sabotage it all by going to buy vodka, drinking heavily, and driving home. He admitted he knew exactly what he was doing – essentially numbing himself with alcohol to avoid dealing with his feelings and disconnecting from the present moment. It’s a raw and honest portrayal of how easily we can undermine our own efforts to heal, even when we’re actively seeking help.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much to drink – just enough to stay coherent and be able to talk. He mentioned he was constantly refilling empty bottles at the bar.
I’ve been following Megan Rapinoe for years, and I was really struck by her recent honesty. She’s shared that she struggled with Adderall misuse when she was playing college soccer and dealing with some tough injuries. It takes a lot of courage to talk about things like that, and I admire her for being so open.
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 described taking it constantly, often going for days without sleep. It was a chaotic time, and she worried about seriously damaging her health – she felt like she was pushing herself to the point of a heart attack. She admitted to crushing and snorting the pills, acknowledging how dangerous and problematic her behavior was.
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 to challenging circumstances. Anson encouraged her to read, and she found a profound impact in the book Man’s Search for Meaning. It helped her understand and cope with suffering, ultimately changing her perspective on life.
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 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 difference in the color of their Fantas and asked why, which Offset found incredibly touching.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really bothered him, adding, “I almost started crying 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 simple – like his son wanting the same drink – felt like a bad influence. He was concerned about setting a poor 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 completely blacked out. He had no idea where he was going until he realized the danger he posed – he could have seriously hurt 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.
I was so incredibly proud to hear about my friend hitting 50 years of sobriety! It all started when he finally asked for help, which opened up a whole new life for him. And in December 2025, he celebrated this amazing milestone with a powerful message for anyone struggling like he once did – a message of hope and recovery.
He encouraged followers to embrace life, writing on Instagram, “Choose life! Live fully and experience everything it has to offer.”
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 is 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 of stopping, followed by times when it became a significant focus again.
Jax stopped drinking and using cocaine at the same time. He clarified that while he wasn’t sure if he had a serious alcohol issue, he always used to drink when he took cocaine, so quitting one meant quitting both. He shared proudly that he’s been sober for over 82 days – the longest stretch of his life without either substance.
Tom Holland, known for his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, quit drinking alcohol in 2022 because he felt controlled by it. He admitted on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that he was addicted and believes even having a beer every day can be a sign of an issue.
We’ve all been there, right? That point in the evening when you think, ‘Maybe one less drink would have been smarter.’ And then you pay for it the next morning with a really unpleasant headache. It’s a classic reminder to listen to your body and pace yourself!
After changing his habits, Holland found that he slept more soundly and was better equipped to deal with challenges.
He explained that things usually bothered him on set didn’t faze him as much anymore. He attributed this to improved mental focus, feeling both healthier and more physically fit.
Sean Connery, known for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly four decades ago.
He revealed in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only mentioning it occasionally when it feels relevant. He shared that he’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described his early days in Los Angeles after leaving New York City in 1983 as a period of intense struggle with drug use. He admitted to using an enormous amount of cocaine – so much that he joked it could have reached Saturn. Cocaine was incredibly prevalent at the time, and he said it felt as commonplace as drinking coffee, with many people 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 said New York City helps him unwind. He loves walking around and discovering new details he’s never seen before—like interesting features on buildings. 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 that she’s been sober for over five years. She told the New York Times it felt like a significant achievement.
She explained her decision simply: “I realized it wasn’t the right path for me.” She felt pressured to explain why she wanted absolutely none of it, but ultimately understood that just like a serious allergy, she shouldn’t try to force something that clearly didn’t work for her. So she decided to accept her feelings and stop questioning them.
She’s glad she chose to do things this way. She explained that, personally, she feels much better because of it. It stopped her from dwelling on negativity – something she actively avoids.
When receiving the 2018 Woman of the Year award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House—a home helping women recover from addiction—Moore discussed how close she came to losing everything due to harmful choices.
I believe we all have key moments that define us and determine our future. 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 wasn’t sure why it was happening – it almost felt like something bigger was at play.
Moore, who received treatment in 2012, expressed gratitude towards two people she hadn’t known well who essentially challenged her to get help. She joked that they told her she needed to show up – unless she wanted to die – and gave her an opportunity to change direction 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 be where she was today without it.
Okay, so I was so worried about Miley, but she revealed in 2022 that she’s been battling Xanax addiction since 2020, and honestly, I’m just so proud of her for being so open! She told Rolling Stone that getting sober actually helped her. She said she really needed structure in her life at the time, and she didn’t want to just be lost in her own thoughts, and that recovery gave her that…it gave her hope. It just makes me love her even more, knowing she’s been fighting this and sharing her journey.
The singer explained, ‘When I realized I could briefly block everything out and stop feeling the hurt, that’s when I knew it was finished.’
She explained that her friends didn’t discourage her drug use at the time, which led to a downward spiral she described as a “bottomless pit.” However, during the pandemic, Miley Cyrus realized she was struggling and felt disconnected. She remembers often falling asleep and being unable to stay awake 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 upcoming 2025 documentary, Stans, Eminem opened up about struggling with prescription pill addiction. He shared that an overdose, combined with missing his daughter Hailie Jade’s birthday, was a turning point that led him to seek help.
He explained that he became emotional realizing he almost missed out. He recalled repeatedly asking himself, ‘Do you want to experience this again, or let it pass you by? If you can’t do this for yourself, do it for the people you care 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 switch. He then shared that he’d overcome his shame about being sober, explaining that he began to view his sobriety as a strength and felt proud of his decision to stop drinking.
The actor, known from Parenthood, had been sober for 16 years when they started using Vicodin again in 2020 following a motorcycle accident.
Okay, so listen, I’ve been obsessed with Dax Shepard lately, right? And he was talking on his podcast, ‘Armchair Expert,’ about… well, it sounds like he’s been taking something for maybe eight weeks now, honestly he wasn’t even sure. He said he’s basically on it all day! The really interesting part is he has a prescription, which is good, but then he admitted to also taking more than what the doctor ordered. It’s just…fascinating and I can’t stop thinking about it.
He went on to say he hated what was happening, and that he was keeping it hidden from everyone. He knew he needed to stop, but his body was getting used to the substance 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 starting to feel scared and incredibly isolated, burdened by a huge secret.
In 2018, the actress from Halloween openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opioid addiction. It started in the late 1980s after a small cosmetic procedure to address puffy eyes, which led to a life-altering prescription. She revealed to People magazine that she spent ten years secretly stealing and manipulating others. “No one had any idea,” she said.
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 experience, 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 returned, 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 the 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 before, and she has remained sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance use, 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 beneficial to her life.
It’s really freeing and a bit nerve-wracking to finally share who you are, what you believe, and everything you’ve accomplished. It’s a powerful mix of vulnerability and liberation.
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 for a long time, she told herself she would eventually succeed and understand everything. But in 2023, she came to the realization that she hadn’t mastered it, and wouldn’t ever be able to.
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 it.
Cooper said he first recognized his issues with substance use during a 2022 interview on the Smartless podcast, adding that the moment has stayed with him ever since.
Cooper explained that Arnett helped him get sober, saying, “Arnett was willing to have a difficult but necessary conversation with me, and that’s what ultimately led me to decide to turn my life around.”
Edward Norton credits Bradley Cooper with helping him overcome a long struggle with alcohol. Accepting an award from Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Awards, Norton shared that he’s been sober thanks to Cooper’s support, and has been happier every day since.
In September 2023, the former star of Cruel Intentions revealed on Instagram that she hadn’t used nicotine or marijuana – or any substances, really – for longer than she had since her teenage years.
He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and dependency, saying that achieving sobriety brings a sense of clarity and a deeper spiritual connection, which feels incredibly good.
In 2018, the singer openly 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: “Mom, I’m really sorry I’ve lost control again. And Dad, please forgive me for the mess I’ve made. To everyone who has stuck by me—we’ve faced this before—I am so sorry I’m not sober anymore.”
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’ll simply overcome and leave behind. Right now, she needs to prioritize healing and getting better, and she is incredibly grateful for all the support she’s received. She hopes to reach a point where she can confidently say she’s fully recovered, and she promises to keep working towards that goal.
In 2018, she spoke about her past struggles with sex and alcohol addiction. She explained that her addictions tended to shift over time, and when she was younger, she believed sex could solve any problem. She also described realizing she had developed a 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. It was then she realized she might have a drinking problem.
I just stopped completely. I’m good at doing that – cutting things out of my life abruptly. I tend to get really focused on things, almost obsessively, so I always have to be careful. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why. The motivation behind the behavior is what matters. For example, wanting a lot of sex isn’t bad in itself, but it’s important to understand why you want that.
A member of the Backstreet Boys first experimented with drugs right before filming the music video for their 2000 song, “The Call.” He later shared on Good Morning America that he was feeling very disoriented during the shoot. After a setback, he achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced significant improvements to his health within a year – notably losing 32 pounds over seven months by giving up alcohol and fast food.
He shared with People magazine in July 2025 that he’s fully committed to staying on his current path. He described it as an ongoing daily effort, but explained that following advice from the recovery community has dramatically improved his life for the better.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
I’ve been learning to set healthy boundaries, which is something I never did before, and it’s really helped me. ‘AJ’ is a stage name or character I use, but it doesn’t represent who I truly am. My real name is Alexander James, and that’s who I am as a person.
Following the tragic passing of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow (born Shad Moss) shared his own past struggles with addiction on Twitter. He revealed that while working on the “FACE OFF” album with Omarion, he was regularly using lean – a code name for cough syrup mixed with soda – and even during a heated moment on BET with Torae. He explained how this affected his behavior, strained relationships with fans and family, and went unnoticed in his music. Bow Wow admitted to being addicted throughout the UCP tour with Chris Brown, consuming lean at least seven times daily until he collapsed backstage in Cincinnati and was hospitalized due to withdrawal symptoms.
He described the experience as incredibly painful, noting he felt intensely cold despite it being summer. He also confessed that his addiction caused him to miss shows in Chicago and Baltimore. Bow Wow emphasized he started using drugs simply to fit in and urged others to avoid that path, encouraging them to be their best selves and good family members. He stated his intention to speak out more about these issues, hoping to prevent other young people from facing similar dangers.
Bow Wow concluded by sharing that the effects of his addiction still impact his health today, specifically his stomach. He reiterated his commitment to a drug-free life and pleaded with fans – especially young artists – not to follow harmful trends, but instead break the cycle, adding “We can’t lose any more of you.”
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 heavily using cocaine and drinking to excess. 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 revealed a period of deep unhappiness where she felt unable to find fulfillment. She recalled a particularly low point when she even considered trying heroin, feeling that nothing else could 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 his cocaine use in the 1980s was so extensive it rivaled some movie budgets. He described a desperate cycle of pleading with God to stop, promising to quit before work, only to find himself using again by late afternoon. In a 2018 interview, he admitted, ‘I spent many nights screaming at God… I’d say, “Please take this away from me and I’ll never do it again, because I only have an hour before I have to be at work.” Then, around 4 o’clock in the afternoon, I’d think, “Oh, it’s not so bad.”’
He described a powerful experience – what he called seeing a white light – where he felt like he was either dying or losing everything important in his life. He then had to explain this to his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan, before seeking professional help. This moment marked the end of his struggle with cocaine.
Following an incident at a Newport Beach hotel where Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to break down his own door, he entered treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. According to a statement from his representative to TopMob News, Lochte had been struggling with alcohol abuse for years and it had become a damaging cycle. He recognized the need for professional help and began receiving treatment right away.
According to a recent statement, Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial – it will allow 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 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 significant factor in his decision to stop drinking.
He realized how wonderful she was and believed she deserved someone truly great. 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’ for her.
However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.
He remembered that in the beginning of their relationship, it was simpler to justify his actions by saying he was doing them for her. He admitted he didn’t value his own well-being much at the time and was more concerned with protecting her feelings than his own. So, it felt easier to frame everything as being done for her benefit. Now, he explained, he’s finally prioritizing his own needs and doing things for himself.
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but reaching that point was a difficult journey. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school and continued even as his music 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 from it every hour and a half to two hours. He also admitted to taking a pill or two every three to four hours.
Despite everything, it didn’t hinder his accomplishments. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “Actually, I was more productive then than I am today, and that’s what really worried me.”
In late 2011, he ended up in the hospital with pancreatitis and received a stark warning: unless he stopped drinking, his life was in danger. He admitted to delaying the inevitable, trying to cut back on his own. “I’d tell myself, ‘Okay, just two pills today, and I’ll only drink this much from the bottle,’ and I’d even mark the bottle to keep track,” he remembered. “It would work for a few days, but then someone would have a party and I’d start all over again.”
Eventually, Gilbert realized he needed help and checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. He explained, “I finally admitted I couldn’t overcome this on my own.” He was frustrated and ashamed, saying, “I’m usually very determined, but this was the one thing I just couldn’t control.”
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2026-06-15 18:54