Not everyone can withstand the trials of fame: sometimes, stars intoxicated by success seek higher ecstasy. For some, drugs and alcohol become a salvation from the inevitable stress associated with hard work. Others look for them as a source of inspiration and unearthly satisfaction.
In the last decade alone, illegal drugs have taken the lives of many brilliant talents: Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, Prince, and others. But there are celebrities who managed to overcome dangerous addiction, got treatment at luxury rehabs, and became an example for others: read their stories in this article.
Mel Gibson
The outstanding genius of modern cinema was awarded two Oscars for the historical drama Brave Heart – the best film and the best directorial work, and his other films The Man Without a Face, The Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto, For Reasons of Conscience had a stunning success at the box office. At the same time, he suffered from alcoholism for many years, which almost destroyed him. Gibson managed to cope with severe addiction thanks to the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps program: he has been sober for 12 years.
Lindsay Lohan
Previously, the actress often drank, and then got used to cocaine, as a result of which she began to drink even more alcohol. Because of bad habits, she ended up in the courtroom several times, and even served prison terms. In 2013, after the 6th course of rehabilitation in various luxury rehab facilities, Lindsay Lohan appeared on Oprah’s talk show, where she spoke frankly about her addiction and the treatment she underwent.
Robert Downey Jr.
The Iron Man got acquainted with drugs at the age of 8, at the suggestion of his own father. It all started with marijuana, soon cocaine joined in, then heroin. From 1996 to 2001, the actor was arrested more than once in an almost unconscious state, sentenced to prison terms and forced treatment, and his career was inexorably going downhill. However, in 2003, Downey Jr. decided to enter voluntary rehabilitation and was cured of drug addiction at a luxury rehab center. He has remained clean for 17 years and is considered one of the highest-paid Hollywood actors.
Courtney Love
The rock star got addicted to drugs at the age of 16. She tried heroin a couple of times, but settled on barbiturates and cocaine. Her re-acquaintance with heroin took place at a party at Charlie Sheen’s house in Malibu, where a friend offered her a dose. Kourtney quickly got used to the heavy opiate and used it even during pregnancy, because of which she was almost deprived of her parental rights. In 1996, she underwent rehabilitation at the request of director Milos Forman, who directed her in the film The People vs. Larry Flynt: for this work, she was nominated for a Golden Globe. However, in the mid-2000s, Courtney Love broke again and was sentenced to forced treatment, which helped overcome addiction.
Russell Brand
The British stand-up comedian, who voices Dr. Nefario in the cartoon Worthless Me is a former alcoholic and drug addict. He left home at the age of 16, after numerous conflicts with his stepfather, and started taking drugs at the same time. As Russell recalls, he discovered that heroin was an excellent pain reliever. Until now, the actor has to constantly make efforts not to give in to temptations, but since 2003 he has not used drugs or alcohol – thanks to the program 12 steps and the daily practice of yoga and meditation. After the death of Amy Winehouse, Russell Brand founded the charity Give It Up to support people struggling with chemical addictions.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The actress, known as the queen of screams, at the age of 35 got used to anti-inflammatory drugs, which she took after plastic surgery. Also, around the same time she started drinking heavily. In 1999, Jamie realized that she was turning into a ruin and decided to get treatment. Since then, there is no place for drugs and alcohol in her life, and she considers this her most significant achievement.
Keith Richards
The Rolling Stones guitarist sat for a long time on hard drugs – heroin and cocaine. It was possible to end heroin in 1978, but to give up cocaine, it was necessary to fall from a tree. It happened in 2006. The fall turned into a concussion and a complicated operation: the musician’s skull had to be patched with a metal plate. After the accident, Keith Richards did not touch drugs again.
Nicole Richie
The adopted daughter of the musician Lionel Richie and the star of the reality show Simple Life grew up in an atmosphere of luxury and permissiveness. At the age of 18, all she did was have fun at parties and along the way dabbled in cocaine, for which she was later treated. However, at the age of 20, she switched to heroin and again decided to undergo a course of treatment. Now she has finally gotten rid of drug addiction, and has not used cocaine since 1998, and heroin – since 2003. Looking back, Nicole Richie is glad that she was able to overcome addiction and never return to that state.
Matthew Perry
Chandler Bing, our favorite funny character from the cult series Friends, suffered from alcoholism. Later, the addiction to alcohol worsened with opioid painkillers: in 2013, Perry began taking Vicodin after a skiing injury. The actor sank lower and lower, and only rehabilitation in a luxury rehabilitation center brought him back to life. Matthew Perry not only successfully coped with the problems, but also began to help the luxury rehab facilities get patients back on their feet and spread information about drug addiction and its treatment methods.
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