Within the past four years, more than 15 million American adults over 18 years-old qualified as having an alcohol use disorder, also known as an alcohol addiction or alcoholism. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the U.S. by far; celebrities are no exception! Oftentimes, they suffer unimaginable amounts of public scrutiny and pressure that lead to a variety of mental health disorders. These can also contribute to alcohol abuse as a way of coping.
Here is a list of celebrities who have struggled with alcoholism but fortunately found recovery.
Zac Efron
Zac Efron, 31, confesses that becoming a celebrity at such a young age propelled him into drug abuse and alcohol addiction. Efron entered rehab twice in one year when filming Seth Rogen’s Neighbors, after failing to control his alcohol intake while on a set that was essentially a party “every single day, more or less.” The High School Musical actor wants people to know that addiction is “a never-ending struggle” but therapy and Alcoholics Anonymous have helped change his life for the better.
Kat Von D
Every July, celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D anticipates celebrating another year of sobriety on social media. In 2018 on the 11th anniversary of her recovery from alcohol addiction, the 37-year-old artist wrote that she “hopes that someone out there in need of a way out from addiction might see this, and realize that you’re not alone.” When asked what helped her decide to seek treatment, Von D credits her art and leaving behind the “addiction to dysfunction” many artists, writers, and musicians harbor.
Johnny Depp
In 2016, following his divorce from actress Amber Heard, Johnny Depp says he felt he had reached a new low point in life. Then he began pouring himself “vodka in the morning and started writing until the tears filled my eyes and I couldn’t see the page anymore.” Spending “far more” than $30,000 on wine alone, Depp, 56, soon found himself in “personal and financial ruin.” Since, Depp says he tries to focus on writing (on an antique typewriter) and his music with a band, Hollywood Vampires (including bandmates Joe Perry and Alice Cooper).
Elizabeth Taylor
Hollywood legend, Elizabeth Taylor, battled an addiction to alcohol and prescription painkillers for much of her life. Often, the star would spend entire days on set too drunk to read her lines. Taylor eventually entered addiction treatment at the Betty Ford rehab center in 1983 and has said she was the first celebrity to do so. After leaving the program – 45 pounds lighter – Taylor was quoted saying, “Not being drunk is the only way I’m going to stay alive.” At 79, her failing health contributed to her death from congestive heart failure in 2011.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck, 46, attended rehab twice before he entered alcohol addiction treatment in 2018. In a post on Instagram, the Justice League actor admitted to completing a 40-day program before moving on to outpatient rehab – typically, where patients are allowed to return home, then attend treatment sessions at the facility each week. Affleck stated he hopes his openness about his illness will inspire others to have the courage to similarly seek proper treatment. At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break the dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addiction and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
