He has spoken about how it affected his personal and professional life, and how it made him unreliable and difficult to work with. In 2012, Butler checked himself into rehab to address his addiction and has been sober ever since. Hemingway was an American writer and journalist known for his spare, minimalist prose and his adventurous lifestyle. What is not so widely known about the legendary Hemingway is that he is one of the many famous people who had bipolar disorder, paranoid delusions, and alcoholism. He has been open about his addiction and the role it played in his personal life, including his divorce and strained relationships with his family. Gerry Rafferty was a Scottish singer and musician, famous for such hits as “Stuck in the Middle with You” (as a member of Stealers Wheel) and “Baker Street”.
List of deaths through alcohol
Given that Del Rey’s songs are full of references to drugs and alcohol, it’s hard to think of her as a person who is battling to maintain her sobriety. However, many celebrities who are recovering alcoholics find it easier to talk about it through their work. Butler has shared that his addiction started in his early 20s and continued into his 30s.
Great Authors Who Struggled with Substance Addiction
Grant’s addiction began during his military career and continued into his presidency. He ultimately sought treatment and was able to overcome his addiction, but his struggles with alcoholism were a significant part of his legacy. Four years after her rehabilitation, she co-founded the Betty Ford Center, a treatment facility for substance abuse which is operational to this day.
HOOKED – An Exhibition on Addiction at the Science Gallery, London
Betty Ford, the wife of former President Gerald Ford, suffered from alcoholism and addiction to painkillers. She raised public awareness of addiction by confessing to her long-time battle with alcoholism in the 1970s. When she finally recovered, she established the famous people who died from alcoholism Betty Ford Center to help others overcome substance and alcohol abuse. World-famous horror novelist Stephen King struggled with drugs and alcohol for a considerable period of time. In 1987, King’s family and friends staged an intervention, dumping evidence of his addictions in front of him. King immediately sought help and quit all forms of drugs and alcohol in the late 1980s.
Drinking has, apparently, gotten in the way of his career and personal relationships. Fellow musician (and frequent touring partner) Elton John begged Joel to get treatment for alcoholism. In an early 2011 issue of Rolling Stone, John is quoted as saying that Joel needed to check into “tough” rehab, and that alcoholism was getting in the way of his life and career. The beloved star of the “Harry Potter”movies has struggled, like many other child actors, growing up in show business. While his character Harry was innocent and heroic, for Daniel Radcliffe, real-life challenges started affecting him, namely his addiction to alcohol. The stories of famous alcoholics we’ve outlined in this article demonstrate the impact that addiction can have on individuals, regardless of their fame, success, or social status.
In 2005, Colin Farell decided it was time to seek professional treatment to confront his addiction head-on. This choice wasn’t easy, but he needed to reclaim his life and career. He openly credited rehab for transforming his life, emphasising its role in helping him maintain sobriety. Since embracing sobriety, Colin Farrell has not only continued to thrive in his acting career but also became an outspoken advocate for addiction recovery. The model and actress says turning 40 inspired her to come forward with her story of addiction and recovery in hopes of helping others.
Famous Alcoholics Who Made History
Pitt joined the ranks of those who have successfully turned their lives around. As one of the powerful young actors in the “Brat Pack” of the 1980s, Lowe spent much of that decade living a lifestyle of excess. He says his drinking began when he was a teenager and grew more out-of-control the more famous he became.
Despite the hurdles, Lovato has made significant strides in their sobriety journey, including periods of complete abstinence from alcohol and drugs. Downey Jr.’s turning point came after hitting rock bottom, which included multiple arrests and the threat of serious prison time. It was this period of intense personal and legal turmoil that catalysed his commitment to sobriety.
- The Extra-Terrestrial,” Barrymore faced the pressures and challenges of Hollywood early in her life, leading to substance misuse, including alcohol, during her tumultuous childhood and teenage years.
- The singer Billie Holiday was a key influence in both jazz and popular music in the 1940s and 1950s, but this shining star lived a hard life.
- Early in the morning on July 23, 2011, she was laughing and watching TV happily.
- The scariest is when you go into a meeting and you’re like, ‘Where’s Steve?
He suffered from anxiety and other possible mental health problems, self-medicating himself with alcohol and drugs. After already having had part of his stomach removed, Clark passed in 1991 at the age of 46, only a few months after he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Byrds. They tear down the misconception that addiction only affects a certain type of person. Recovery isn’t only a possibility; it’s a reality for many, including those in the public eye. Their journeys to sobriety serve as a reminder that seeking help and support is a sign of strength, not weakness. You might think that celebrities, with their glamorous lives and resources, are immune to such challenges.
In 2012, she was found dead in a bathtub with bottles of prescription medicines scattered in her hotel room. According to reports, Houston took a combination of drugs including Xanax, marijuana, Flexeril, and cocaine. British singer Amy Winehouse was found dead in her apartment in London in 2011.