Sober Stars Who Have Shared Their Struggles With Addiction

Flavor Flav is opening up about his struggles on his sobriety journey.

Known as (William Jonathan Drayton Jr.), the rapper admitted to experiencing a brief lapse in his four-year sobriety journey.

On his Instagram story, April 3rd, he stated, ‘I stay true to myself and a significant chunk of the last 4.5 years has been about my sobriety journey. It seems I’ve inspired quite a few people by showing that if someone like me can achieve sobriety, anyone can do it.’

I want to share an honest moment with you all. Although it may seem smooth sailing, it’s not always the case. Regrettably, I stumbled briefly. I openly confess this error as a step towards accountability. Remember, we’re all humans, prone to mistakes. This doesn’t define my character negatively. I kindly ask for your support as I choose the path of sobriety.

The television figure, aged 66, remarked, “I restarted from day one once more. Time hasn’t paused; my voyage carries on.

In October, Flavor Flav shared a video on Instagram to mark his fourth year of being sober, as a tribute for World Mental Health Day.

He mentioned that October holds significant importance for his mental well-being. Next week marks four years of his sobriety from alcohol, and today is Mental Health Awareness Day. His mental health plays a crucial role in his journey towards sobriety.

Additionally, he decided to share the affection by providing an opportunity for others to experience a therapy program that he found beneficial, covering their costs.

He mentioned, “It’s my habit to be at the forefront of groundbreaking endeavors. This particular project holds immense potential to make a significant difference in many lives. I’ve contacted the Sonia team to waive subscription fees for those who join now. Let’s join forces to make a positive impact.

Apart from that instance, the ex-co-founder of Public Enemy, Flavor Flav, made headlines last year not just once but multiple times for promoting positivity. One such occasion was when he supported and praised Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles following the decision by the International Olympic Committee to take away her bronze medal.

At the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards during their presentation of Best Collaboration, he said to the gymnast, “Jordan, I understand they tried to strip your medal, but here’s something – something they can’t take away. I got you something special.

Next, he fastened an ornate, glittering timepiece around her neck, prompting her to exclaim, “Wow, I’m speechless! Thank you so very much.

At the 2024 Olympic Games, Flavor Flav lent his support to the U.S. Women’s Water Polo Team, further illuminating the spotlight on female athletics.

In an interview with NPR last August, he clarified that when these women aren’t engaged in water polo, they’re busy working multiple jobs. He noted, “One, two, even three jobs! These young ladies are putting in a tremendous effort to represent the United States well. However, their work commitments are compromised when they’re out here playing and training. So, I thought, why not offer assistance to these hardworking women?

Keep reading for more stars who have been candid about their sobriety journeys…

The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.

In his appearance on the March 4th episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, Jax confessed, “I’m a recovering addict.” He explained that he struggles with addiction, mainly concerning cocaine. Sharing this truth aloud is difficult for him.

He mentioned that he’s had periods of struggle with this issue, starting when he was 23 years old. At times, he managed to avoid it, but at other points, he found himself engaging in it quite intensely.

Alongside quitting drugs, Jax stated, “I’m not saying I have a drinking problem per se, but they tend to go together. I can’t use cocaine without having alcohol too. Therefore, I decided to quit both. Currently, I’m 82, 83 days clean, which is the longest stretch I’ve ever managed in my life without resorting to either.

In 2022, the actor who played Spider-Man in “No Way Home” decided to quit drinking alcohol after admitting he felt trapped by it. On the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, Holland admitted that he had an addiction and didn’t shy away from this fact. He stated that anyone who drinks daily might have a problem with alcohol.

Afterward, you’d find yourself in a state of realization, similar to saying, “Oh, I wish I hadn’t had that final drink,” the performer added. The following morning, you’d awaken with a throbbing headache.

After adopting the new lifestyle, Holland found that he was sleeping more soundly and managing issues more effectively.

He explained, “Issues on the set that used to bother me greatly, I was now able to handle more calmly.” He added, “My mind became clearer and stronger. I experienced an improvement in my overall health and fitness.

In simpler terms, the main character from “The Hunt for Red October” rarely discusses his long-standing struggle with sobriety, a battle he’s been fighting for nearly four decades.

He mentioned that the topic doesn’t come up frequently in conversations, but he does bring it up occasionally when it seems appropriate. He has been sober for 39 years now, achieving sobriety on February 23, 1985.

Talking about his life post-relocation from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec described his struggle as a daily white-hot issue for two years. Essentially, he admitted to using an enormous amount of cocaine over this period, stating that it felt like he’d done lines from here to Saturn. He even went as far as saying that cocaine was similar to coffee in those days—it seemed everyone was consuming 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 mentioned that New York has a calming effect on him, describing it as his home. As he strolls around, he discovers new details in the cityscape that he’d never noticed before – like intricate doorways on buildings that had previously gone unnoticed. His days are filled with meals and coffee breaks spent with friends.

Back in the vibrant spring of 2024, I, Anne Hathaway – the one who once graced the world as Mia Thermopolis – proudly declared that it’s been over five years since I last took a sip. Sharing this momentous news with the esteemed New York Times, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment, saying, “This marks a significant milestone for me.

– Her understanding was straightforward. She admitted, “I instinctively knew it wasn’t for me,” and felt intensely about having to say ‘none.’ Yet, she didn’t argue; just as one wouldn’t debate an allergy or severe reaction, she chose not to contest her feelings any longer.

She’s pleased with her choice, as she put it, “I find things are improving since then.” For her, it served as a source of growth, which she prefers not to dwell on.

During her acceptance speech for the 2018 Woman of the Year Award at the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, a home offering recovery for women struggling with substance and alcohol addiction, Moore discussed the self-damaging course that came close to halting her professional journey.

Reflecting on my past, I believe there are pivotal moments in our lives that mold us into who we become and the paths we choose. During the initial stage of my career, I found myself heading towards a destructive path, one that threatened my very existence. Despite any achievements I attained, I always felt inadequate.

Looking back, I had no sense of self-worth and this self-destructive course led me to a critical juncture where my future was uncertain. At the time, it wasn’t clear what was driving this situation. Perhaps it was some form of divine intervention.

Moore expressed gratitude in 2012 to two individuals who weren’t very acquainted with her for presenting a sort of turning point. She jokingly stated, “Unless I was deceased, I had to show up,” implying that she was given a warning to change her ways before she ruined everything. In essence, she received an opportunity to alter the direction of her life before it was lost.

Moore pointed out that they noticed aspects of him he was unaware of himself. He expressed his deep gratitude for this insight, as it was their faith in him that allowed him to be where he is now.

In 2022, Cyrus disclosed that she has been recovering from her Xanax addiction since 2020. She explained to Rolling Stone that the medication provided her with a necessary structure during a time when she needed it most, as she didn’t want to be idle and lost in thought. She also mentioned that Xanax offered her hope.

The singer remarked, “When I discovered that you could momentarily mute the world and dull your sorrow, it was all done with.

She mentioned that her friends at one point tacitly supported her drug habits, and it eventually turned into a deep, seemingly endless abyss for her. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus acknowledged facing difficulties and feeling emotionally distant. “I would often find myself dozing off,” she reminisced. “Incapable of staying awake or maintaining focus, as I was so deeply ensnared.

She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”

16 years ago, the former star of “Parenthood” had been living a sober life until a motorcycle accident in 2020 led him to resume his Vicodin usage.

Over the past two months or so, I find myself immersed in these digital worlds almost constantly – day in, day out. Now, I can legally indulge in this extended stay due to my prescription, but I’ve also chosen to enhance the experience, if you will.

He went on to express his dislike of the situation, admitting he was deceiving others. He acknowledged the need to stop, but his tolerance for the substance was rising so fast that he found himself consuming eight 30-milligram doses daily. He understood this amount would lead to a harsh withdrawal, causing him fear and increasing feelings of isolation. He also confessed to carrying a heavy secret.

In the year 2018, the actress who became famous for Halloween openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opiate addiction that started in the late ’80s following a cosmetic surgery to correct her inherited puffy eyes. This led to a prescription that significantly altered her life. “I had a ten-year streak of stealing and deceiving,” she confessed to People, “without anyone suspecting a thing.

In the sweltering summer of 1998, when my sister paid a visit and carried prescription painkillers for her rib injury, I hit rock bottom. I confided this to a publication, tears streaming down as I recounted the memory. “I could sense those opiates hidden in her suitcase, tucked away in our guest room closet,” I admitted. Upon her departure, I knew she would repack her belongings and notice her missing pills. I felt compelled to confess my actions, and so I wrote her a heartfelt note and placed it on her suitcase. Returning home that day, she wrapped me in a warm embrace and expressed her love, concern, and refusal to stand by and watch as I took my own life.

On February 3, 1999, she participated in her initial gathering, coincidentally the same day she confided in her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her personal battle. He was astonished that he hadn’t noticed before, Curtis commented, and added that she has remained sober since then.

In 2021, Barrymore, who has previously sought help for alcohol and substance abuse issues, publicly announced a significant achievement in her recovery. On the show CBS Mornings, she stated, “I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in two and a half years. It’s something I’ve realized no longer benefits me in my life.

She remarked, “It’s quite amusing. When we expose who we truly are, our secrets, and the accomplishments we’ve striven for, it feels incredibly freeing yet exposing all at once.

Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she refrains from using the term “sober” as she doesn’t wish to be perceived as a flawless Puritan or someone who is considered perfect by others.

In the year 2023, she remarked, “For so long, I told myself, ‘I can conquer this, I will find a solution.’ But then it struck me: ‘I’ve never truly mastered this skill, and I probably never will.’

During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” battled an addiction to cocaine. Eventually, his friend Will Arnett took a stand and addressed his concerning behavior directly.

During his interview on the Smartless podcast in 2022, Cooper shared that it was the first moment he acknowledged his struggle with substance abuse, saying, “That experience will always be etched in my memory.

Attributing his sobriety to Arnett, Cooper stated, “He dared to have an honest discussion with me which led me to consider altering the course of my life.

In simpler terms, the main actor of Fight Club battled alcohol addiction for many years before being helped by Cooper to achieve sobriety. He publicly acknowledged this during the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards when Cooper presented him with an award. Since then, each day has been happier for him.

In September 2023, the former star of Cruel Intentions posted on Instagram that it had been the longest period since his teenage years that he hadn’t used some form of nicotine or cannabis, along with other substances.

He expressed gratitude for the liberation he experiences after overcoming addictions and no longer needing substances. He described feeling clear-headed, finding solace in sobriety, and a strong sense of spiritual well-being as truly satisfying.

Following a public celebration of six years without alcohol during her tour in 2018, the singer surprised fans by releasing the introspective song “Sober” later that year, which disclosed that she had experienced a relapse.

Mom, I regret that I’m no longer in control, and Dad, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for the spilled drinks on the floor. To those who have always stood by me, we’ve been here before, and I’m truly sorry, as I’m no longer sober,” she sang.

A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.

Two weeks ago, she posted on Instagram: “I’ve always been open about my struggle with addiction.” What I’ve discovered is that this illness doesn’t go away or diminish over time; rather, it’s an ongoing battle I’m still fighting. Currently, I need to take a step back and prioritize my sobriety and recovery journey. The support you’ve all given me will never be forgotten, and I eagerly anticipate the day when I can say I have conquered this. For now, I will keep battling on.

2018 marked a pivotal point in my journey where I confronted my struggles with sexual and alcohol dependencies. As I look back, I can say that these compulsions have been elusive, often shifting focus. In my younger years, I suspect I grappled with what I now recognize as a form of sex addiction – the belief that every problem could be solved through intimacy. It was during this time that I also came to terms with an escalating drinking issue, which ultimately led me to acknowledge its harmful nature.

She recalled hitting rock bottom when she was alone in the house, with two bottles of wine already consumed and about to open the third one, she stated. It made her think, “Wait a minute. Here you are, all alone in this house, on your third bottle of wine? You might be dealing with an issue.

She explained, “I decided to quit abruptly, or ‘go cold turkey.’ You see, I tend to indulge heavily in things and need to be cautious. I can easily become fixated on certain activities. It’s not just the action itself that matters, but the reason behind it and the behavior associated with it. If you enjoy having a lot of sex, that’s fine, but ask yourself why you’re doing it so much. That’s what you should examine.

A Backstreet Boys band member experimented with drugs for the first time prior to filming the music video for “The Call” in 2000. He revealed years later on Good Morning America that he felt extremely energetic during the shoot. After seeking sobriety in 2021, he experienced numerous positive changes within a year, such as shedding 32 pounds in just seven months by eliminating alcohol and fast food from his diet.

In an interview with Today in September 2022, he stated that alcohol consumption led to an increase in his weight, and furthermore, it negatively impacted his mental well-being.

Following the unexpected demise of Mac Miller, rapper Shad Moss publicly admitted on Twitter that he had previously battled an addiction to cough syrup. He shared his experience in a series of tweets:

“To all the young ones – Stop playing with these foolish drugs,” he initiated. “I’m revealing something now. During our collaboration on the FACE OFF album, I was high on lean every day! When you saw me going off on Torae during BET, I was under the influence of lean. My behavior, my attitude… Everything changed. My fans started turning against me, even my family. I never endorsed lean in my songs. The entire time I was on the UCP tour with Chris Brown [Brown], I was consuming 4’s at least 7 times a day. I was addicted until our show in Cincinnati… I came off stage, passed out and woke up in the hospital due to withdrawal symptoms.”

“I have never felt pain like that before,” Bow Wow continued. “Even though it was summer, I walked around wearing three hoodies because I was so cold. I missed the Chicago show of that tour and Baltimore show BECAUSE I WAS HIGH AND SICK! That’s not cool, and I was doing it to fit in! Quit that stuff! Be a good son or daughter. Be the best you. I will start being more vocal. We need to save the youth from an early demise. Parents, keep a close eye on your kids. Talk to them about it. We want you all to live, not die.”

“To this day, my stomach… Will never be the same, and it hasn’t been,” he concluded. “Drug-free is the way to go. Smarten up, tighten up! We can’t afford to lose any more of you. Not one! I love all of you. All the young artists around the world… Don’t follow a trend. Break the cycle. PEACE.

2018 saw the singer openly discussing her struggles with addiction, following the release of her fourth album “No Shame” and memoir “My Thoughts Exactly”. According to reports, she had been heavily using cocaine and alcohol, reaching a point where she was “almost parasitically drunk”. A turning point occurred when, at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party, she accidentally collided with Orlando Bloom, resulting in her losing consciousness. This incident prompted an intervention by her ex-partner Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin.

She shared with The Guardian, “I felt nothing could touch or fulfill me. One gloomy morning during those tough times, I found myself contemplating, ‘Perhaps it’s heroin, since nothing else appears to be effective.’

Throughout the 1980s, the actor known for his role in “The Parent Trap” struggled with a cocaine addiction that eventually led him to rehab in 1990. In an interview on “Today,” he shared that he grew up during the ’60s and ’70s, a time when there was a significantly different perspective towards drug use.

In 2018, he openly acknowledged that his daily routine during the 1980s often included using cocaine. He confessed to having a struggle with addiction, pleading with God for help and promising to quit, only to find himself using again just hours before work. However, in the afternoon, when it was time to go to work, he would think, “It’s not so bad.

He shared an event that he referred to as a ‘white light moment.’ During this experience, he felt like he either died or lost everything that mattered to him. Afterward, he needed to tell his fiancée, Meg Ryan, about what had happened. This marked the end of his relationship with drugs and cocaine.

Following an occurrence at a Newport Beach hotel where Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to force open his own room door, he opted for treatment in 2018. According to his representative, Lochte has been grappling with alcohol addiction for quite some time and unfortunately, this struggle has led to harmful behavior. He has admitted that he requires professional assistance to conquer this issue and will be seeking help right away.

Ryan understands that defeating this illness is crucial for him to prevent future mistakes, to become the best husband and father possible, and if he aims to compete again at the top level in swimming during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

It turns out that, despite knowing it’s generally advised against, the former Parenthood actor found his decision to quit drinking was significantly influenced by his relationship with Melanie Lynskey, his current spouse.

During an interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in March of 2023, I shared my thoughts, confessing, “At one moment, I recognized her extraordinary talent and believed she deserved someone truly exceptional. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel that I wasn’t worthy enough, a tad too obsessed perhaps.

However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.

In the beginning stages of their relationship, he found it simpler to claim that he was acting for her because, during that period, he didn’t have a high sense of self-worth. He didn’t worry as much about causing himself pain compared to causing her pain. Therefore, at first, it was easier for him to assert, “I’m doing this for her.” Now, however, he is doing it for his own sake.

As a lifestyle guide, I can share my personal journey with you, drawing parallels from a fellow artist who’s been sober for almost a decade. This road wasn’t easy; it was a challenging battle marked by an addiction to alcohol and painkillers that started shortly after high school graduation. The success of his music career didn’t shield him from this struggle. He confided that he always had a black leather laptop bag brimming with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka within easy reach. Throughout the day, he’d find himself needing two or three swigs every hour and a half to two hours, and popping a pill or two every three to four hours.

He confessed that it didn’t hinder his achievement in any way. “I wasn’t floundering about throughout the day,” he said. “I was operating at full capacity—I penned more songs back then than I do currently. That was the unsettling aspect.

Towards the end of 2011, he was admitted to the hospital due to pancreatitis, and doctors warned him that if he continued drinking, he might not live to see his next birthday. However, he tried to control his habit on his own, as he put it, “I thought I could manage myself, like, ‘Alright, I’ll just take two pills today. I’ll only drink this much from my bottle and make a mark on the bottle.'” This strategy worked for a few days, but then someone would throw a party.

Eventually, I hit rock bottom and realized I needed help. On December 18, 2011, I made the difficult decision to check myself into rehab. It had become painfully clear that this was something I couldn’t conquer alone. It enraged and humiliated me to no end. Despite being a determined individual, this was the one area in my life where I just couldn’t seem to make progress.

2025-04-05 01:21

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