You are not alone on your recovery journey. Learn about celebrities and their famous recovery stories.
Countless successful celebrities are in addiction recovery; their names may very well surprise you. Well-known athletes, musicians, authors, actors and television personalities experienced the challenges of substance use disorder and got help. While some are more vocal than others about their journeys, these famous recovery stories spark hope in the hearts of many.
“Recovery is an acceptance that your life is in shambles and you have to change.”- Jamie Lee Curtis
How Famous Recovery Stories Inspire Others
We tend to think very highly of the entertainers we see on our screens for years. They are attached to our favorite songs, television shows, movies, sports events and much more. So many of these celebrities were part of our formative years growing up; they almost feel like friends to us.
Although most of us have not met these celebs in person, we do feel a bit attached to their lives. That is why when someone famous comes out about overcoming addiction, it may come as a shock. Of course, Hollywood has almost always been synonymous with substance misuse. Still, hearing about a famous recovery stories shines a new light on the rich and famous.
Many with substance use disorder can draw inspiration from famous people in recovery. Those who speak candidly about their experiences and show support for addiction recovery advocacy have a vast outreach. Recovery success stories are always great to hear, but they can seem a bit more powerful coming from someone you admire.
“Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.”- Robert Downey Jr.
Celebrities Who Overcame Addiction
These inspiring recovery stories may sound like many others, except the person is famous. This offers a very humanizing look at the nature of addiction. It can truly happen to anyone from any walk of life. Despite the riches and fame, celebrities overcoming addiction all have their own story to tell. You may even discover some addiction recovery inspiration from the ones on this list!
Kat Von D: Tattoo artist, model and television personality Kat Von D realized one day that drinking got in the way of her work. Over a decade of recovery later, she is a beauty mogul with a beautiful family.
Michael Phelps: In 2014, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history entered rehab. Michael Phelps took part in a six-week recovery program after getting his second DUI. As a person in recovery, he had a successful 2016 Olympics and now advocates for people with mental health conditions.
Eric Clapton: Singer and songwriter Eric Clapton has an over 30-year history of recovery. During the 1970s, he dealt with heroin and alcohol addiction before committing to his journey. Today, he fiercely advocates for others in recovery and has his own addiction treatment center.
Stephen King: Legendary horror author Stephen King struggled with drug and alcohol misuse until the late 1980s. After his family urged him to get help, he dedicated himself to recovery. He saw his writing become clearer and penned famous works like The Green Mile.
Sia: Australian pop artist Sia celebrates many years in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Through ups and downs, her journey inspired her to take the unconventional approach to music we know her for today.
Danny Trejo: During his younger years, actor Danny Trejo had an addiction to drugs and multiple prison sentences. He now has more than 55 years in recovery and helps young adults find freedom from addiction.
Tim McGraw: Country star Tim McGraw knew he needed to stop drinking when his loved ones started to worry about his alcohol use. More than ten years later, he dedicates his free time to working out and staying healthy. Exercise gives him an alternative outlet for alcohol misuse.
Elizabeth Vargas: News anchor Elizabeth Vargas checked into alcohol addiction treatment in November 2013. She shared her experiences with anxiety and recovery in her memoir Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction. Today, she builds on that work by talking about her journey at a variety of events for addiction treatment support.
Robert Downey Jr.: Robert’s journey from Hollywood’s “bad boy” to recovery advocate was decades in the making. He decided to begin treatment in 2003 firmly and has not looked back since.
Eminem: Rapper Marshall Mathers once wrote songs about his pill addiction and affinity for alcohol. In 2007, he suffered a near-fatal overdose and decided to change his life. His more recent album, “Recovery,” is a tribute to his journey.
Elton John: Legendary singer and songwriter Elton John struggled with addiction for decades. It took a toll on his personal life until he reached a turning point in 1990. Since that point, he has become an outspoken recovery and HIV/AIDS activist who gives back to the community.
Bradley Cooper: After playing the role of a man struggling with mental health and addiction in “Silver Linings Playbook,” something clicked. Bradley realized he needed to make a change and entered addiction treatment at the age of 29.
Jamie Lee Curtis: Jamie has been a scream queen since the 70s. It was not until the 90s that she got help for her addiction. Since then, she has been outspoken about addiction recovery and helping the less fortunate and marginalized.
Famous Recovery Stories from AppleGate Recovery
While we cannot share our client list, we assure you that each AppleGate Recovery patient gets the celebrity treatment. Why not create your own recovery story to share one day? These celebrities took the path to recovery, and so can you.
At AppleGate Recovery, we help patients treat opioid addiction in a supportive environment. Our individualized, medication-assisted treatment plans address all aspects of addiction along with substance use counseling.
You do not have to be a celebrity to have an impact. Begin your journey today with one simple phone call. To learn more about our recovery services, contact us today.