Why Celebrities Experience Substance Abuse
Addiction does not discriminate based on your social status, socioeconomic group, age, gender, or race. Being a celebrity does not make a person more likely to develop an addiction than you or I, but certain personality traits drive a person to want to be a famous person, including novelty-seeking and being a risk taker, traits which stimulate the reward center in the brain, and that may also lead a person to try drugs or drink to excess. Some other reasons it may seem like celebrities are more likely to be addicted to drugs and alcohol include:
- They are under a lot of pressure to perform, look good, and act in certain ways as they perform in a fast-paced and competitive industry
- They often have more and freer access to alcohol and drugs at all times of the day and night, with more invites to events, parties, and celebrations where substances will be readily available to them, often for free
- Child stars may be dealing with pressure at too young of an age
- Celebrities often have access to large sums of money, giving them the ability to afford an addiction to expensive drugs
- Many celebrities have long stretches of time between filming or while on tour where they can get drunk or high with little to no consequence
- Limited privacy can cause immense pressure that may lead to substance abuse for relief
- Doctors and other people in the lives of celebrities may bend the rules to provide prescriptions or access to other drugs that the general public may not have easy access to
- Many celebrities are often lonely, as they are unable to go into public spaces and may question new people’s motives for trying to befriend them, leading to drug and alcohol use to fill the emptiness in their lives
- Peer pressure has a big effect on anybody’s self-perception and value, and this is multiplied exponentially in the life of a celebrity
- We simply see celebrity substance use disorders on full display thanks to predatory media coverage and paparazzi footage.
- The “high” of performing onstage can be difficult to come down from, and many performers will turn to drugs to replicate those feelings or to help relax after performing
30 Celebrities Who Are Now Sober
Fame does not always lead to addiction, and addiction can be overcome. Some popular and well-known sober celebrities are:
- Tobey Maguire
- Daniel Radcliffe
- Ed Sheeran
- Jessica Simpson
- Brad Pitt
- Gerard Butler
- Rob Lowe
- Sarah Silverman
- Kendrick Lamar
- Jennifer Hudson
- Kristin Davis
- Ben Affleck
- Eminem
- Russel Brand
- Matthew Perry
- Chris Martin
- Adele
- Josh Brolin
- James Corden
- Leona Lewis
- Kit Harington
- Edie Falco
- Tim McGraw
- Patricia Heaton
- Macklemore
- Lily Allen
- Blake Lively
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Margo Price
- Lucy Hale
Many of these celebrities hit very public rock bottoms, with scandals, embarrassing moments, and health issues on display for the whole world to see. Their recoveries inspire us all, and they remind us that no matter how difficult the road may seem, it is possible to reach a successful recovery and live a healthy, productive life after addiction.
See which celebrities in AA overcame addiction here:
Addiction Treatment for Substance Abuse
Getting treatment for substance abuse may seem like a big deal or an impossible hurdle to get past, especially if you have never been to rehab or are struggling financially. There are many ways to get the help you need. Most of the time, all it takes is a phone call to the rehab center because the person on the other line is trained to ask you the right questions so they can understand what type of help you need and provide access to information about insurance coverage, payment plans, and the kids of rehab you can choose from.
Some of the common types of addiction treatment you may want to try are:
- Medical detox – a medical detox program is an inpatient treatment program that lasts for an average of 5 to 10 days, depending on what substance you are quitting. You will move in and stay day and night, keeping you away from the temptation to drink or use drugs as your body detoxes. To avoid pain, distress, and other unpleasant symptoms that come with substance withdrawal, you will have the option to take prescription medications like anti-nausea medicine, painkillers, blood pressure meds, and psychiatric medication if you have a co-occurring mental illness, and other medications will be provided as needed for your safety, like seizure medications. There will be counselors and therapists there to help you through difficult emotions and to start you on the road to recovery and mental health.
- Inpatient rehab – a type of rehab where you move into the rehab facility for 30 to 90 days, live there full-time and participate in structured daily activities like group therapy, medical appointments, behavioral therapies like CBT, family therapy, exercise and nutrition programs, education, life skills programs and more. Every day will be filled with treatments that will help you gain healthy habits, learn how to avoid relapsing, and gain a new perspective on life.
- Partial hospitalization programs – these are also known as day programs and provide full days of treatment like inpatient rehab, with the difference being that you live at home or in a sober living home, leaving at the end of the day. This is a good option to help you stay on track, providing strong daily care and support as you begin to transition back to living at home.
- Intensive outpatient programs – these are customized and flexible outpatient programs, providing therapy, case management services, life skills programs, and 12-step integration, with peer support, usually in three-hour intervals three or four days a week. Treatments happen in the mornings or evenings so as not to affect your day-to-day work and family schedule
- Outpatient aftercare – most rehab programs will provide continued care, therapy, and access to recovery resources and groups for as long as you need so you are never alone when times are difficult. Recovery is not a straight line, and you will most likely hit a few bumps in the road, and an aftercare program will give you the help you need in these trying times
Reach Out to Us Today for Further Recovery Assistance
Celebrities are not the only people with easy access to help. At Muse Treatment, we provide drug and alcohol rehab programs with comprehensive care covering the full spectrum, from medical detox to inpatient rehab and outpatient programs tailored to your individual needs. All you need to do is give us a call, and we can get you started on your own personal road to recovery with treatments like:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Case management services
- One-on-one therapy
- Group therapy and process groups
- Educational programs and lectures
- Art therapy
- Mindfulness
- Dual diagnosis treatments for co-occurring disorders
- Life skills and vocational skills programs
- 12-step integration and spirituality
Please call us at (800) 426-1818 today if you have any questions about rehab, medical detox programs, or insurance coverage. We will help you find a program that fits your needs to heal your body, mind, and spirit and achieve long-term sobriety.
