8 Celebrities That Have Overcome Addiction

Celebrity Addiction

Addiction does not discriminate, we know that. It doesn’t matter who you are or who you know, how much or how little you have, or how young or old you are. Addiction can affect anyone. Movie stars, celebrities and other public figures are no exception. In fact, the lifestyle seems to encourage the excess of substance abuse.

For many celebrities, the constant scrutiny, attention, demands and overall excessive lifestyle do take a toll. Celebrities are often surrounded by people who don’t see them as just another person, but often view them as commodities. Being constantly on location, traveling or living far from home means not being surrounded by people who really know and understand you.

Addiction And Hollywood

Anyone who has ever read a tabloid cover in the supermarket line or watched an entertainment news show on television knows that celebrities and their drug or alcohol use is a favorite topic. This is especially true if the story involves some form of misfortune or scandal, such as an arrest, overdose or publicly embarrassing or controversial behavior.

In the past, scandals and tragedies were about as far as things went. Public figures and celebrities went to great lengths to clean up their reputations and cover up problems.

Today, things are changing, and more and more celebrities are coming forward to discuss their struggles instead of denying them or covering them up. This is partially because the stigma of substance abuse and addiction has lessened, but also because celebrities are feeling a sense of responsibility to promote awareness around addiction and recovery. While many stars continue to keep their private affairs private, which is also okay, others choose to take a more open approach. Here are eight celebrities who have done just that. Some you may be aware of, while others may come as a surprise.

Russell Brand

Russell Brand is a gifted comedian, actor and performer with a definite edge. He’s silly and irreverent and opinionated, and people seem to either adore him — or really not adore him. Regardless of what you feel about his sense of humor or his movies, Brand is also known for his openness regarding addiction, and recovery.

Jack Osbourne

The son of metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, Jack Osbourne grew up with the rock star lifestyle from day one. He no doubt witnessed a great deal of drug and alcohol use, and grew up with a lifestyle that might not be considered conventional. With that said, he found recovery early on, most likely inspired by his father’s own journey through addiction and recovery. Osbourne has over 12 years sober, and is married with two children.

Robert Downey, Jr.

Robert Downey, Jr. has a long history with substance abuse and recovery as well as everything that goes with it. He’s been in the news multiple times over the years, often due to legal trouble or other problems as a result of his addiction. At more than one point, he hit a bottom that threatened to not only destroy his career but also his entire life.

Downey is a perfect example of how an individual, even with a long history of addiction can turn things around, and after taking multiple losses, can recover and come back stronger and better than ever.

Daniel Radcliffe

Best known as the beloved character “Harry Potter” in the series of the same name, Daniel Radcliffe has stated that many would be surprised to know that he had a major drinking problem during the filming of several of the Harry Potter movies. The quick rise to fame was a huge challenge, and like many young stars, he turned to alcohol to help him cope with the unfamiliar attention and discomfort. He made the decision to get sober in 2010, and enjoys coffee with friends and reading books.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Also dubbed as the “scream queen” due to her performances in many “slasher” flicks of the 70’s and 80’s, Jamie Lee Curtis has enjoyed a long, accomplished and varied career in Hollywood. Her struggles with pain pills led her to finally get help, and she is now a wonderful example of a woman in Hollywood who has overcome many stereotypes and grown in her career while also growing in her sobriety.

Demi Lovato

The young actress, singer and songwriter is not only up front about her struggles with addiction, but also with mental illness. Demi Lovato talks on these subjects regularly, because she feels that they don’t get enough attention, especially when it comes to mental illness.

Edie Falco

Best known for her role as a mafia wife in The Sopranos, and as an addicted nurse in Nurse Jackie, Edie Falco has used her experiences with addiction and recovery to help her honestly portray her character. Sober for over two decades, Falco is open and honest about her addiction and her recovery, and proves that you can be a successful working celebrity who is also sober.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch is a successful actress, both on camera and onstage, and is a gifted comedian. She talks about her issues with alcohol and cough syrup, how she found recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous, and how her bottom wasn’t necessarily terrible, but it was enough to let her know she didn’t want to live that way anymore.

Addiction doesn’t care who you are or what you do for a living. But for a celebrity in recovery, talking about not just their drug or an alcohol problem, but how they overcame it is a powerful tool for fighting stigma and bringing awareness to substance abuse and addiction.

Rose Lockinger is passionate member of the recovery community. A rebel who found her cause, she uses blogging and social media to raise the awareness about the disease of addiction. She has visited all over North and South America. Single mom to two beautiful children she has learned parenting is without a doubt the most rewarding job in the world. Currently the Outreach Director at Stodzy Internet Marketing.

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