15 Celebrities Who Have Struggled With Alcohol Addiction

“This hasn’t been easy and there were a lot of ups and downs,” the Heroes alum said of her sobriety journey. “But I don’t regret even the ugliest things that have happened to me. I feel incredibly accomplished. And I feel like I have a second chance.” Spider-Man actress Kirsten Dunst has been caught with drugs and checked in and out of rehab for alcohol and drug abuse. The Dark Knight star Heath Ledger died in 2008 of a toxic combination of six prescription drugs. All-American beauty Farrah Fawcett suffered a drug and alcohol addiction that saw her promising acting career thrown into a series of tumultuous twists and turns. At press time, another example of celebrity substance abuse has surfaced. The death of pop star Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, is being investigated for this possibility.

Kelly Osbourne, who previously talked about being sober for six years, revealed in April 2021 that she had suffered a relapse and was working on next steps. From time to time, however, a celebrity will surprise the world and suddenly announce that they got sober. Marilyn Monroe’s barbiturate overdose was allegedly a suicide attempt, reflecting her tumultuous celebrities who died of alcoholism personal problems. Ed Harris had a slight drinking problem at the time he played the lead role in Pollock. As a result of dealing with her mentally unstable mother, Oscar winner Tatum O’Neal turned to cocaine by age twenty. In 2004, Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin was arrested for Xanax and marijuana possession during a rough patch in his life.

John Belushi (Speedball, Cocaine & Heroin)

By the 1940s, she had recorded numerous hits, most of which had found their way onto music charts. It wasn’t until 2009, when he was cast in Glee, that he rose to stardom. He ultimately played the role of the star quarterback for four seasons, up until his death.

In Ledger’s case, his untimely death brought a public spotlight on the issues surrounding prescription drug abuse in the United States. Like many celebrities, Heath Ledger lived with a drug abuse problem. Although it was never confirmed, he allegedly abused heroin and cocaine.

Famous Alcoholics

Lohan is among the celebrities affected by alcohol who have since made an inspiring comeback. Now in recovery for over 15 years, Robert Downey Jr.’s career seems to continue improving the longer he stays sober, making his comeback a very impressive and inspiring story. Family and friends stage an intervention to convince a person with alcohol dependence that they have a problem. Betty Ford’s frank approach to sex, drink, and addiction helped win her America’s admiration. Osbourne revealed in April 2021 that she relapsed again after almost four years of sobriety. The country crooner recalled how his wife, Faith Hill, helped inspire him to get sober, he wrote in an essay for Esquire magazine, published in August 2021. Barrymore was previously candid about her battle with drugs as a teenager.

• From Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse, to Cory Monteith and Philip Seymour Hoffman, celebrity deaths from drug and alcohol overdoses leave millions of fans in mourning.
• At press time, another example of celebrity substance abuse has surfaced.
• As long as he lived, he will occasionally have a relapse and go back on the drug.” Thus, Halsted led a life of controlled addiction.
• “It could be creatively fueling, but I think what’s really helped ground me is learning the difference between creative spontaneity and emotional recklessness in everyday life.”
• In July 2013, just a few months after another stay in rehab, he was found dead in his hotel room in Downtown Vancouver.

Official reports determined that at the time of the accident, Dunn’s blood alcohol levels were 0.196 g/dL, more than twice the state’s legal limit. Janis Joplin was a singer and musician who became one of the most successful female rockers of her time.

Famous Celebrities Who Have Done Drugs and Battled Addiction and Alcoholism

Taylor eventually entered an addiction treatment center in 1983. Famous pop/rock musician Billy Joel has admitted to struggling with alcohol abuse in his adult life. Drinking has, apparently, gotten in the way of his career and personal relationships. Fellow musician Elton John begged Joel to get treatment for alcoholism. In an early 2011 issue of Rolling Stone, John is quoted as saying that Joel needed to check into “tough” rehab, and that alcoholism was getting in the way of his life and career. The Glee alum recalled her struggles with alcohol addiction during an interview with The Guardian in February 2022, revealing she got sober for a second time after relapsing years ago. Lynch explained that after going to AA for years, having a successful career and doing therapy, she began drinking again — and quickly learned she couldn’t just have one drink.

He lost his life from asphyxia after choking on his own vomit, after spending hours drinking. Authorities stated that the drummer drank approximately 1-1.4 liters of vodka prior to his decease.