Addiction is defined by the American Psychological Association as a state of psychological or physical dependence (or both) on the use of alcohol or other drugs. People can also be addicted to gambling, sex or the internet. Almost 21 million Americans identify as addicts according to the Addiction center. Addiction is a chronic disease, but it does not have to rule the life of an addict. There are many stories of people beating their addiction and living out successful, happy lives. Many people have personal connections to addicts, but there are also examples of addicts on red carpets. Countless celebrities have struggled with addiction and beaten it. Some of which might surprise you:
P!NK 
According to an article in the Los Angeles Times from 2013, singer P!NK struggled with addiction in the early days of her career. She claims to have been addicted to crystal meth, ecstacy and ketamine from the ages of 12-15. This led to a near-fatal overdose in her teen years. After recieving treatment, P!NK has continued to be an advocate to get help when facing an addiction.
Daniel Radcliffe
The actor we all know as Harry Potter never came across as an alcoholic. Unfortunately, even Radcliffe admits in an article for I Am Sober that he kept his alcoholism out of the press to maintain his image as a “nice guy.” However, Radcliffe also says he does not like watching his last two Harry Potter movies, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 and 2, because he is hungover or drunk in many of the scenes. Radcliffe stopped drinking in 2010 after his family and friends noticed he had a problem. However, his journey to sobriety hit a few roadbumps. He was kicked out of a New York City bar in 2012 and returned to treatment for his alcohol abuse. Radcliffe has been sober since 2013 and is vocal about the way his life has changed since.
Justin Bieber
The child star and pop singer broke into America’s hearts as a tween icon. However, after living life in the limelight, Bieber developed addictions to sex and drugs. He chronicled his experiences in an interview with Vogue magazine in 2019. Bieber explains that he began abusing Xanax to deal with his depression and anxiety. He went into treatment for his drug abuse and came out sober. However, his addiction to sex still lingered. Bieber checked himself into multiple treatment facilities to no avail. Finally, he found the treatment center that was right for him. In the Vogue article, Bieber says that his sobriety is something he is still working on every day with his wife, Hailey Bieber.
Beating addiction is not an easy road. There are times when addicts relapse and they must make the decision to become sober again. Recovery and living sober are possible, and these celebrities’ stories are just a drop in the bucket. Your story or the story of your loved one might be completely different, but it is important to know that with the right support and treatment there is always a way.
Cove can help you with any state of addiction use. We provide comprehensive mental health and addiction services with a focus on substance abuse and addiction disorders.
If you have a young person or family member that you are concerned about, contact us today at www.covebh.org/Contact-Us or call us at 813-384-4000.
