01of 23Brad Pitt on “Exposing the Ugly Side of Yourself” in Alcoholics Anonymous.Splash News Online“I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges … You had all these men sitting around being open and honest in a way I have never heard. It was this safe space where there was little judgment, and therefore little judgment of yourself … It was actually really freeing just to expose the ugly sides of yourself. There’s great value in that.”—toThe New York Times
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Brad Pitt on “Exposing the Ugly Side of Yourself” in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Splash News Online
“I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges … You had all these men sitting around being open and honest in a way I have never heard. It was this safe space where there was little judgment, and therefore little judgment of yourself … It was actually really freeing just to expose the ugly sides of yourself. There’s great value in that.”
—toThe New York Times
02of 23Jason Wahler on Making AmendsJoe Scarnici/Getty Images“Part of the process of recovery and living your life sober is making amends and I made amends to Lauren [Conrad]… It’s freeing. When you can take ownership of your actions and let people know you truly want to make things right and you apologize and you take the actions to fix what you did, it feels good.”—on E! News’Just the Sip
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Jason Wahler on Making Amends
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images
“Part of the process of recovery and living your life sober is making amends and I made amends to Lauren [Conrad]… It’s freeing. When you can take ownership of your actions and let people know you truly want to make things right and you apologize and you take the actions to fix what you did, it feels good.”
—on E! News’Just the Sip
03of 23Elton John on Asking For HelpElton John.Stephane Cardinale /Corbis/Corbis/Getty"29 years ago today, I was a broken man. I finally summoned up the courage to say 3 words that would change my life: ‘I need help.’ Thank you to all the selfless people who have helped me on my journey through sobriety. I am eternally grateful."—onInstagram
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Elton John on Asking For Help
Elton John.Stephane Cardinale /Corbis/Corbis/Getty
“29 years ago today, I was a broken man. I finally summoned up the courage to say 3 words that would change my life: ‘I need help.’ Thank you to all the selfless people who have helped me on my journey through sobriety. I am eternally grateful.”
—onInstagram
04of 23Dylan McDermott on Sobriety Being His “Greatest Accomplishment"Vincent Sandoval/Getty"Staying sober has been my greatest accomplishment. I say that because I was able to show up for myself in every way possible. In the most turbulent and best of times I had the rock of the 12 steps to guide me. I was able to be a father, son, brother and friend."—onInstagram
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Dylan McDermott on Sobriety Being His “Greatest Accomplishment”
Vincent Sandoval/Getty
“Staying sober has been my greatest accomplishment. I say that because I was able to show up for myself in every way possible. In the most turbulent and best of times I had the rock of the 12 steps to guide me. I was able to be a father, son, brother and friend.”
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Demi Lovato on Looking Forward to The Day She Can Say She “Came Out On the Other Side”
Demi Lovato.Ari Perilstein/Getty Images
06of 23Nicole Richie on Her Former Drug UseJacqueline Romano/January Images/Shutterstock“I got so much so fast that nothing really excited me anymore. I kind of took matters into my own hands and was creating drama in a very dangerous way. I think I was just bored, and I had seen everything — especially when you’re young, you just want more … At 18, I had just been doing a lot of cocaine. [After becoming addicted to heroin in her early 20s], I, again, made the decision for myself, this is something I have to do. I have to get off drugs. This isn’t the life … this was heroin.”—toPEOPLE
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Nicole Richie on Her Former Drug Use
Jacqueline Romano/January Images/Shutterstock
“I got so much so fast that nothing really excited me anymore. I kind of took matters into my own hands and was creating drama in a very dangerous way. I think I was just bored, and I had seen everything — especially when you’re young, you just want more … At 18, I had just been doing a lot of cocaine. [After becoming addicted to heroin in her early 20s], I, again, made the decision for myself, this is something I have to do. I have to get off drugs. This isn’t the life … this was heroin.”
—toPEOPLE
07of 23Lil Xan on His Past Struggles With Drug Abuse Informing His MusicMatthew Eisman/Getty"In the beginning of 2017, I had my own demons with the drug Xanax. It got out of hand, so I wanted to make a movement, Xanarchy, about just nothing but anti-Xan use and that’s really what I’m trying to promote in ‘Betrayed.’ … You gotta get off that stuff, man, it’s not good for you.”—onTRL
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Lil Xan on His Past Struggles With Drug Abuse Informing His Music
Matthew Eisman/Getty
“In the beginning of 2017, I had my own demons with the drug Xanax. It got out of hand, so I wanted to make a movement, Xanarchy, about just nothing but anti-Xan use and that’s really what I’m trying to promote in ‘Betrayed.’ … You gotta get off that stuff, man, it’s not good for you.”
—onTRL
08of 23DENNIS QUAID ON ENDING HIS ‘LOVE AFFAIR’ WITH COCAINEBrad Barket/Getty"I was basically doing cocaine pretty much on a daily basis during the ’80s… I had what I call a white light experience where I saw myself either dead or losing everything that meant anything to me. That was the end of the love affair with me and cocaine."— onMegyn Kelly TODAY
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DENNIS QUAID ON ENDING HIS ‘LOVE AFFAIR’ WITH COCAINE
Brad Barket/Getty
“I was basically doing cocaine pretty much on a daily basis during the ’80s… I had what I call a white light experience where I saw myself either dead or losing everything that meant anything to me. That was the end of the love affair with me and cocaine.”
— onMegyn Kelly TODAY
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SIMON PEGG ON HIDING HIS ADDICTION
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty
10of 23FRANCES BEAN COBAIN ON GETTING SOBERDia Dipasupil/Getty Images For Entertainment Weekly"Self-destruction and toxic consumption and deliverance from pain is a lot easier to adhere to. Undeniably, for myself and those around me becoming present is the best decision I have ever made."— onInstagram
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FRANCES BEAN COBAIN ON GETTING SOBER
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images For Entertainment Weekly
“Self-destruction and toxic consumption and deliverance from pain is a lot easier to adhere to. Undeniably, for myself and those around me becoming present is the best decision I have ever made.”
— onInstagram
11of 23JOHN MAYER ON TAKING A BREAKKevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bud Light"One year ago today, I decided to give drinking a break. A very personal thing for everyone. For me, a constant return on investment. I post this because I want people to know that ‘that’s enough for now’ is on the menu, so to speak.” — onTwitter
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JOHN MAYER ON TAKING A BREAK
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bud Light
“One year ago today, I decided to give drinking a break. A very personal thing for everyone. For me, a constant return on investment. I post this because I want people to know that ‘that’s enough for now’ is on the menu, so to speak.” — onTwitter
12of 23ED SHEERAN ON HIS WAKE UP CALLInvision/AP/REX/Shutterstock“I think you need to, when you get into the industry, adjust to it — and I didn’t adjust because I was constantly working on tour. And all the pitfalls that people read about, I just found myself slipping into all of them. Mostly, like, substance abuse. I never touched anything. I started slipping into it, and that’s why I took a year off and buggered off. I didn’t really notice it was happening. It just started gradually happening, and then some people took me to one side and were like, ‘Calm yourself down’… It’s all fun to begin with, it all starts off as a party and then you’re doing it on your own and it’s not, so that was a wake-up call and taking a year off.” —onThe Jonathan Ross Show
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ED SHEERAN ON HIS WAKE UP CALL
Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock
“I think you need to, when you get into the industry, adjust to it — and I didn’t adjust because I was constantly working on tour. And all the pitfalls that people read about, I just found myself slipping into all of them. Mostly, like, substance abuse. I never touched anything. I started slipping into it, and that’s why I took a year off and buggered off. I didn’t really notice it was happening. It just started gradually happening, and then some people took me to one side and were like, ‘Calm yourself down’… It’s all fun to begin with, it all starts off as a party and then you’re doing it on your own and it’s not, so that was a wake-up call and taking a year off." —onThe Jonathan Ross Show
13of 23ALEC BALDWIN ON GETTING SOBER AT A YOUNG AGEDennis van Tine/Sipa USA"I got sober when I was just about to turn 27. And those two years that I lived in that white, hot period, as a daily drug abuser, as a daily drinker … to my misery, boy, that was a tough time. There was really, really a lot of pain in there. A lot of pain. I think I was one of the people who was lucky that [sobriety] stuck, and therefore if I didn’t get it then, I think I would’ve got it eventually. Not many people get sober when they’re young." — toGood Morning America.
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ALEC BALDWIN ON GETTING SOBER AT A YOUNG AGE
Dennis van Tine/Sipa USA
“I got sober when I was just about to turn 27. And those two years that I lived in that white, hot period, as a daily drug abuser, as a daily drinker … to my misery, boy, that was a tough time. There was really, really a lot of pain in there. A lot of pain. I think I was one of the people who was lucky that [sobriety] stuck, and therefore if I didn’t get it then, I think I would’ve got it eventually. Not many people get sober when they’re young.” — toGood Morning America.
14of 23KATEY SAGAL ON HOW HER MOTHER’S STRUGGLE INFLUENCED HER OWNMaarten de Boer/Getty“When I was 12, we lived on the same block as Judy Garland. Her daughter Lorna Luft and I became neighborhood buddies. Lorna’s mom had a lot of pills on her bedside table and slept past noon just like my mom. We hung tight. And, of course, I thought everyone’s mom took a lot of pills." —in her memoirGrace Notes: My Recollections
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KATEY SAGAL ON HOW HER MOTHER’S STRUGGLE INFLUENCED HER OWN
Maarten de Boer/Getty
“When I was 12, we lived on the same block as Judy Garland. Her daughter Lorna Luft and I became neighborhood buddies. Lorna’s mom had a lot of pills on her bedside table and slept past noon just like my mom. We hung tight. And, of course, I thought everyone’s mom took a lot of pills." —in her memoirGrace Notes: My Recollections
15of 23DERYCK WHIBLEY ON REALIZING HE HAD A PROBLEMJason Merritt/FilmMagic"Before I went into the hospital, when I was still drinking every day, the clearest thought that I could have was that, ‘This is probably not good, and I’m going to have to deal with this eventually — just not right now.’ So I knew that it wasn’t great, I just thought I was going to fix it, like, tomorrow. When I woke up sober in the hospital, I knew instantly how bad it was and what had gotten me there and that I wasn’t going to drink anymore. I was so done with it. If anything, it almost felt like a bit of freedom: ‘Finally, something has stopped this whole cycle.’ " –to PEOPLE
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DERYCK WHIBLEY ON REALIZING HE HAD A PROBLEM
Jason Merritt/FilmMagic
“Before I went into the hospital, when I was still drinking every day, the clearest thought that I could have was that, ‘This is probably not good, and I’m going to have to deal with this eventually — just not right now.’ So I knew that it wasn’t great, I just thought I was going to fix it, like, tomorrow. When I woke up sober in the hospital, I knew instantly how bad it was and what had gotten me there and that I wasn’t going to drink anymore. I was so done with it. If anything, it almost felt like a bit of freedom: ‘Finally, something has stopped this whole cycle.’ " –to PEOPLE
16of 23THE WEEKND ON USING DRUGS AS ‘A CRUTCH’Noam Galai/WireImage"When I had nothing to dobutmake music, it was very heavy. Drugs were a crutch for me. There were songs on my first record that were seven minutes long, rambling – whatever thoughts I was having when I was under the influence at the time. I can’t see myself doing that now.” – toThe Guardian
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THE WEEKND ON USING DRUGS AS ‘A CRUTCH’
Noam Galai/WireImage
“When I had nothing to dobutmake music, it was very heavy. Drugs were a crutch for me. There were songs on my first record that were seven minutes long, rambling – whatever thoughts I was having when I was under the influence at the time. I can’t see myself doing that now.” – toThe Guardian
17of 23DEMI LOVATO ON SURVIVINGAdam Bettcher/Getty"I am one of the 1 in 7 people who has faced addiction, and I am grateful to be in recovery today. It’s time for us all to reflect, and start@facingaddiction. Let’s stop ignoring the biggest problem in our country we often don’t want to look at. We all are connected to this issue one way or another and we all need to be part of the solution. Together we can replace shame with support, hope, and healing." –on Instagram
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DEMI LOVATO ON SURVIVING
Adam Bettcher/Getty
“I am one of the 1 in 7 people who has faced addiction, and I am grateful to be in recovery today. It’s time for us all to reflect, and start@facingaddiction. Let’s stop ignoring the biggest problem in our country we often don’t want to look at. We all are connected to this issue one way or another and we all need to be part of the solution. Together we can replace shame with support, hope, and healing.” –on Instagram
18of 23JAMIE LEE CURTIS ON BEING IN RECOVERY FOR 17 YEARS"So, awaiting final toxicology, it has now been reported in theNew York Timesthat Prince was toxic. I can relate. I was toxic too. I too, waited anxiously for a prescription to be filled for the opiate I was secretly addicted to. I too, took too many at once. I too, sought to kill emotional and physical pain with painkillers. Kill it. Make it stop." – intheHuffington Post
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JAMIE LEE CURTIS ON BEING IN RECOVERY FOR 17 YEARS
“So, awaiting final toxicology, it has now been reported in theNew York Timesthat Prince was toxic. I can relate. I was toxic too. I too, waited anxiously for a prescription to be filled for the opiate I was secretly addicted to. I too, took too many at once. I too, sought to kill emotional and physical pain with painkillers. Kill it. Make it stop.” – intheHuffington Post
19of 23KRISTEN BELL ON LOVING SOMEONE WHO STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTIONJim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock“My husband is in recovery and is almost 13 years sober. Seeing the world through his eyes has really opened mine to knowing that it is a disease and nobody is choosing to drink more than others. They are doing it because of a variety of reasons and they deserve the attention of a mental health professional, and not the county jail or however else we’re choosing to pretend we’re fixing the problem." –toE! News
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KRISTEN BELL ON LOVING SOMEONE WHO STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock
“My husband is in recovery and is almost 13 years sober. Seeing the world through his eyes has really opened mine to knowing that it is a disease and nobody is choosing to drink more than others. They are doing it because of a variety of reasons and they deserve the attention of a mental health professional, and not the county jail or however else we’re choosing to pretend we’re fixing the problem." –toE! News
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MACKLEMORE ON GETTING HOOKED ON OXYCONTIN
“Within a week I was isolated in my room doing this drug just to stay alive in a way.” – toPresident Obama inPrescription for Change: Ending America’s Opioid Crisis
21of 23STACEY DASH ON BECOMING ADDICTED TO COCAINE AT AGE 16Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images"I couldn’t find happiness. It got to a point where I didn’t even want to live anymore. The voice in my head was saying, ‘There’s nothing here for you.’ " –to PEOPLE
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STACEY DASH ON BECOMING ADDICTED TO COCAINE AT AGE 16
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
“I couldn’t find happiness. It got to a point where I didn’t even want to live anymore. The voice in my head was saying, ‘There’s nothing here for you.’ " –to PEOPLE
22of 23LADY GAGA ON THE STRESSES OF FAMEKarwai Tang/WireImage"I’ve been addicted to various things since I was young. Most heavily over the past seven years. A friend gave me this term, ‘I lily pad from substance to substance,’ because I get to a point where I can’t go any further with one substance so I move to another. But, the truth is that it is very hard to be famous. It’s wonderful to be famous because I have amazing fans. But it is very, very hard to go out into the world when you are not feeling happy and act like you are because I am a human being too and I break, and I think there is an assumption … that I cannot break because I am an alien woman and I am unstoppable.” –to Z100
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LADY GAGA ON THE STRESSES OF FAME
Karwai Tang/WireImage
“I’ve been addicted to various things since I was young. Most heavily over the past seven years. A friend gave me this term, ‘I lily pad from substance to substance,’ because I get to a point where I can’t go any further with one substance so I move to another. But, the truth is that it is very hard to be famous. It’s wonderful to be famous because I have amazing fans. But it is very, very hard to go out into the world when you are not feeling happy and act like you are because I am a human being too and I break, and I think there is an assumption … that I cannot break because I am an alien woman and I am unstoppable.” –to Z100
23of 23RUSSELL BRAND ON SOCIETY’S TREATMENT OF ADDICTSAKM-GSI"Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death is a reminder, though, that addiction is indiscriminate. That it is sad, irrational and hard to understand. What it also clearly demonstrates is that we are a culture that does not know how to treat its addicts. Would Hoffman have died if this disease were not so enmeshed in stigma? If we weren’t invited to believe that people who suffer from addiction deserve to suffer? Would he have OD’d if drugs were regulated, controlled and professionally administered?” - inThe Guardian
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RUSSELL BRAND ON SOCIETY’S TREATMENT OF ADDICTS
AKM-GSI
“Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death is a reminder, though, that addiction is indiscriminate. That it is sad, irrational and hard to understand. What it also clearly demonstrates is that we are a culture that does not know how to treat its addicts. Would Hoffman have died if this disease were not so enmeshed in stigma? If we weren’t invited to believe that people who suffer from addiction deserve to suffer? Would he have OD’d if drugs were regulated, controlled and professionally administered?” - inThe Guardian
source: people.com
