Famous Alcoholics Recovered, in Recovery, or Currently Struggling

Some historians attribute this behavior to alcoholism, which contributed to his untimely demise at age 32. Stephen King has published over 60 alcohol rehab books and almost 200 short stories from the 70s through today. Still, most of the late 70s and 80s went by in a haze of alcoholism for King, who wrote in his memoir On Writing that he “barely remembers writing” his 1981 novel Cujo. Despite this apparent fact, the book won numerous awards and was turned into a movie in 1983. Van Gogh was enamored with absinthe, and it featured in many of his paintings. During much of his most productive years, Van Gogh’s diet mainly consisted of bread, coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes.

All the Celebrities Who Have Struggled With Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Including Jack Kerouac, Billie Holiday, Richard Burton, Peter Cook, and Errol Flynn, this list shows the celebrities who, for whatever reason, couldn’t fight the addiction and lost their lives to the disease. Female silent movie star Julia Burns and Barbara Payton are also just a few of the famous women who died of alcholism. Mealtimes are often an excuse for the high-functioning alcoholic to start drinking.

Recovery Programs

Another legend that was ruined by drugs was Prince, who reportedly died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. The icon was due to see a specialist in addiction the day after he died, but he was taken too soon. This wasn’t a short alcoholic celebrities addiction, however, with claims that MJ relied on painkillers throughout most of his life. Throughout his ongoing wrongful death lawsuit, it was revealed that Michael was a “quite extensive” drug addict during the last 15 years of his life. Drew Barrymore, Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck — people from all different walks of life battle addiction, whether they’re doctors, lawyers, students, stay-at-home moms, professional athletes, or performers.

Famous Alcoholics: Addiction Among Artists

Others, including Dax Shepard and Kelly Osbourne, have been honest about the challenges of maintaining their sober lifestyle. Some celebrities are open about personal hardships, like efforts to abstain from alcohol and drugs. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that giving up alcohol comes with some serious health perks. With Dry January in full swing, perhaps you have been debating reducing your alcohol intake and following suit of the many teetotal celebrities who have done the same. In 2015, he told the Mirror“It is my responsibility to do the best I can and to take it one day at a time.

“I got to the point where I knew it was something I couldn’t do on my own,” Gilbert said. “Pissed me off to no end and embarrassed me. I’m a pretty strong-willed person but that was the one thing in my life that I couldn’t get to stick.” Although the Parenthood alum knows that “one of the things that you’re not supposed to do is get sober for somebody else,” his relationship with now-wife Melanie Lynskey was a major reason that led him to swearing off alcohol.

• Beyond his unconventional lyrics and distinctive style, Tyler’s personal convictions stand out.
• However, some celebrities have also been able to successfully overcome their addiction and achieve long-term recovery.
• The two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champ has been open about her misuse of Adderall while battling injuries during her college soccer career.
• The actor struggled with alcohol during his prime years on day-time-TV and relied on painkillers following a watercraft accident.
• In 2020, Shepard revealed on his podcast, “Armchair Expert,” that he relapsed after 16 years of sobriety following a motorcycle accident that resulted in him using painkillers.
• “1 year completely sober !” the “Smile” singer wrote via Instagram in July 2020 alongside a series of bikini selfies.

“It’s heartbreaking because I thought I was having fun, but at some point it was like, ‘Okay, I don’t look well’. Sometimes you need a reality check, so in a way those pictures were something to be grateful for.” Last year, Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine revealed in a Spotify Original podcast, The Way We Are with Munroe Bergdorf that she had been sober for eight years. It comes as she recalled her early days with the band, when she realised that – during their rise to fame – she had issues with alcohol.

• Understanding Tyler requires peeling back the layers, revealing an artist who is both a public provocateur and a deeply principled individual committed to his beliefs.
• In 2015, he described how alcohol affected virtually everything in his life, “I wouldn’t have been able to have access to myself or other people, or even been able to take in other people, if I hadn’t changed my life.
• “I don’t think I would be alive without acting,” she frankly said on the “Origins With James Andrew Miller” podcast in 2019.
• “I used to b sic happy when I was high. Now I’m happy when I’m sober,” the rapper tweeted in April 2022.
• “I said to myself, ‘If I can do six months without alcohol, then I can prove to myself that I don’t have a problem.’ And by the time I got to June 1, I was the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”

Serious Effects of Drug Addiction on Family Members

“If I can do two months off, then I can prove to myself that I don’t have a problem,” he recalled. At the weekend, Australian model Elle MacPherson took to Instagram to celebrate 20 years of sobriety. The 59-year-old proudly shared a snap of her blue and gold Alcoholics Anonymous tri-plate token, complete with ‘XX’ in the middle, which stands for 20 in Roman numerals.

• Robert’s addiction then progressed into his teenage and adult years which included the abuse of alcohol, cocaine and heroin.
• Click through our slideshow of celebrities who’ve struggled with drug and alcohol addictions — and don’t ever be afraid to reach out for help.
• Ben Affleck, 46, attended rehab twice before he entered alcohol addiction treatment in 2018.
• Elle MacPherson’s remarkable journey from supermodel to health advocate is a compelling testament to the transformative power of self-care and unwavering determination.

One of the most famous classic Hollywood stars, Elizabeth Taylor spent over three decades of her career addicted to alcohol and painkillers. She became the first celebrity to openly admit herself to rehab at the Betty Ford Center in 1983. The infographic below shares the story of ten of the most famous high-functioning alcoholics in history, and how they either turned their life around or succumbed to their alcoholism.

Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that the Martini is Takei’s favorite drink. It could be the simplicity of the drink, which is just a mixture of gin and vermouth. Or it could be the fact that it’s such a classic cocktail, one that has been enjoyed by celebrities and commoners alike for generations.