Peer Pressure….that awful phrase. We have all heard it, we have all experienced it in some form or another. No one wants to be the outcast. It’s human nature to want to be included and feel liked. So if 3 of your friends are going to the bar after work, it’s easier to say “yea I’ll come for a little while”. We want to be part of the “cool” group. Peer pressure in high school is stronger than gravity. What young and confused teen wants to be shunned by the group? No one?
In Hollywood, NYC, and other entertainment capitals around the globe partying comes with the territory. Lots of money mixed with good-looking people, plenty of egos, and insecurity. This is a peer pressure nightmare for stars in the entertainment biz. Picture a young actress/actor who is trying to make it, they see some big shots drinking or doing cocaine at a party. If they do some drugs, it’s an easy way to be part of the group and start talking with someone who can help their career. Many have succumbed to this pressure and went down the rabbit hole of addiction. Some of the greatest talents of our time died from drugs and alcohol.
It takes strength, discipline, and support to get clean and sober. Here are 31 celebrities who are clean and sober:
1. Robert Downey Jr.
“I Don’t Drink These Days. I’am Allergic To Alcohol And Narcotics. I break Out In Handcuffs”.
Robert Downey Jr’s addiction began at a young age: 6. His father, Robert Downey Sr, was a filmmaker and started his son’s film career and drug addiction. Downey Sr. gave his son a joint to try at the age of 6. “There was always a lot of pot and coke around… When my dad and I would do drugs together, it was like him trying to express his love for me is the only way he knew how.”
He spent the next 20+ years of his life in a tornado of destruction. Jails, rehabs, and eventually close to death. After spending over a year straight in prison, and countless rehabs he was ready to get sober. Finally in July 2003 Downey Jr had enough. He’s been sober since that day.
Robert Downey Jr is one of my favorite actors, his comeback and recovery is nothing short of remarkable.
2. Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has been clean and sober for 2 years. Demi had an apparent drug overdose last July after 6 years of sobriety. This scary incident should be a reminder to all of us recovering addicts out there. We have to maintain our sobriety every day. It is constant work on a daily basis that keeps people sober. I wish Demi the best of luck!!!
3. Zac Efron
Zac Efron entered rehab twice at the age of 25 due to his drinking. The star speaks about the constant pressure of having your whole life scrutinized by the media, this led to his excessive drinking. Efron is now a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. His movie career since he became sober has taken off!!!
Bonus Sober Celeb – Danny Trejo “Machete”
Danny Trejo is an incredible inspiration for anyone struggling thinking “I can’t do it”. Danny started drinking around the age of 6 and doing hard drugs by 10. He says “I’m pretty sure I did time in every prison in the state of California” That’s insane. Danny decided to try a new way of life, he started going to Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A. changed his life and Danny Trejo now has 53 years clean and sober!!! Absolutely Incredible.
↓↓ Here is Danny sharing his entire story at an A.A. meeting. This is a funny and inspirational story that is straight from the heart. ↓↓
4. Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper had become a household name. He’s stared in major hits such as his portrayal of Navy Seal Sniper Chris Kyle in American Sniper. Cooper got sober at age 29. He says his drinking started to affect his work and his life.
6. Elton John
Elton John…Everybody knows Elton John, his music has been played worldwide for decades. He’s one of the most recognizable names on the planet. Elton John has been sober for over 27 years. He explained how during the beginning, as his music career started to really take off, behind the scenes he was struggling with alcohol and drugs. The AIDS epidemic is one of the reasons John decided to get sober. He explains how he lost many friends in the ’80s due to AIDS.
7. Kristen Davis
“I don’t think I would be alive. I’m an addict. I’m a recovering alcoholic. If I hadn’t found acting… acting is the only thing that made me want to ever get sober.”
Kristen Davis is best known for her character Charlotte on HBO’s hit series Sex In The City. Davis who grew up in southern California says she started drinking young to deal with insecurities.
8. Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith grew up in an addiction riddled household. She’s opened up on her Facebook about seeing her mother use heroin when she was a child. Her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris is now 27 years sober. Pinkett Smith also talks about how her addictions jump around. She says she was addicted to sex at one point in her life, then alcohol and drugs. This is a common theme with addicts, we go from one extreme to the next. Real sobriety is about finding a positive equilibrium in your life. It looks like Jada has found a great balance!!!
9. Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey’s music career exploded when she released “Summertime Sadness”. The star has been very private about her struggles. She has hinted that she abused Crystal Meth in the past, but overcame her addiction.
10. Jack Osbourne
Jack Osbourne the famous son of rocker Ozzy Osbourne has been clean for over 15 years. Jack grew up in a family that all struggled with addiction. Jack credits AA for being a huge part of his recovery.
11. Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe got sober when he was 26 years old. He has had dozens of successful roles over the past few decades. He explains how none of that would have happened if not for being clean and sober. Lowe credits exercise for being a huge part of his recovery.
12. Calvin Harris
The world-famous DJ stopped drinking when he was 24. Harris explains how his drinking was affecting his live shows. His live shows and festivals are attended by thousands of people. Harris wanted to be 100% clean and focused on his fans.
13. Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes is a Cuban-American Knockout. Guys everywhere start drooling when Eva enters a movie scene. Her beauty usually takes up most of the headlines, so most people (including myself) were not aware that Mendes is in recovery.
14. Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe was cast as Harry Potter in 2000. The movie was a mega-hit. Radcliffe was thrust into the spotlight after the movie came out. He explains how his drinking got worse after the last Harry Potter movie finished shooting. He realized he needed to get clean and sober, which he did!!!
15. Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck who is best known for his role as Batman has had struggles with alcohol and drugs throughout his life. Alcoholism runs in Ben’s family, His father is an alcoholic and at least 2 of his grandparents were alcoholics. His father has been sober for over 30 years and his brother Casey has been sober for 6 years.
16. Macklemore
Macklemore has been very open about his struggles with addiction. His career exploded and thrust him into the spotlight very quickly. Macklemore had a relapse last year but has since got back on track.
17. Russell Brand
Russell Brand is an actor and comedian. Brand used heroin, crack, and cocaine during his using days. He celebrated 16 years of sobriety last December.
18. Blake Lively
Blake Lively has said during interviews that she never used drugs in her life and does not have a desire for alcohol anymore. She does not drink alcohol at all anymore.
19. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar, the Grammy-winning rapper, doesn’t use drugs or alcohol. He grew up in a household watching family members abuse drugs and is now an advocate for people living sober.
20. Mike Posner
Mike Posner the musician said alcohol and drugs were “robbing him of enjoying his life”. He has been clean and sober for over 6 years now.
21. Common
Common started his career as a rapper and then transitioned into movies. The rapper/actor has been clean and sober for most of his career.
22. Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is one of the most recognizable men in the world. His movie career has spanned decades. Pitt has recently opened up about his struggles with alcohol. He quit alcohol cold turkey.
23. Logic
The famous rapper has spoken about his past struggle with drugs and cigarettes.
24. Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry who is known for his role in Friends struggled with drinking during his early career. He has been sober for quite some time now and helps others get clean and sober.
25. Eminem
Eminem has rapped about drugs and alcohol throughout his whole career. His addiction was widely publicized during his worst days of using. He has recently come out with new songs while being completely clean and sober.
26. Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler, the 300 star, struggled with drug and alcohol addictions. He has been clean and sober for over 20 years now.
27. Kat Von D
Kat Von D the famous Tattoo artist struggled with drug and alcohol addictions in her past. She has since gotten clean and sober.
28. Chris Martin
Chris Martin, the Coldplay lead singer, says the band indulged in a lot of partying in their early days. The singer has since stopped drinking and is completely sober.
29. Ewan McGregor
Ewan Mcgregor, the Star Wars actor, used alcohol to cope during his early days as an actor. He came to his senses and has been sober ever since.
30. Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston explains how in the past she “used everything”. She says being a mother was a huge part of getting clean and sober.
31. Colin Ferrell
Colin Ferrell celebrated his 10 years of sobriety last year. He uses yoga, and exercise to stay sober.
