People are often influenced by the rich and famous, and sadly that can mean normalizing their bad habits, like drug addiction. For this reason, it’s important to look for the positives and examine the successes instead of failures, like famous people who kicked cocaine addiction.
Cocaine has been the drug of choice for celebrities for decades with devastating effects. Love Island’s Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon are just two fatalities due to cocaine abuse.
And it’s not just the rich and famous who use cocaine, as a whopping one in five 16 to 24 year olds say that they have taken cocaine in the last year alone.
The good news is that there are many famous people who are now coming clean about their cocaine addiction and paving a road to recovery for their fans.
8 Celebrities Who Recovered From Cocaine Addiction
Here are the inspirational stories of 8 celebrities who sucessfully recovered from their cocaine addiction.
1. Robert Downey, Jr.
Robert Downey, Jr. is an American actor, producer, and singer, most famous for his role as the Marvel character in Iron Man.
Addiction and substance abuse can typically run in the family, and Downey’s father had substance use issues and famously allowed him to smoke marijuana at the age of 6. Downey has been in and out of jail and rehab due to his previous drug addiction.
Fortunately, Downey officially kicked his addiction to drugs in 2003 and has credited sobriety for his unrivaled success. Robert Downey, Jr. is now the highest-paid actor in Hollywood.
“Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.”
~ Robert Downey, Jr.
Related: 9 Celebrities Who Overcame Heroin Addiction
2. Zac Efron
Zachary David Alexander Efron is an American actor and singer, made famous for his role in High School Musical. Efron started taking drugs as a teenager and was sent to rehab twice for his cocaine addiction, before finally kicking the habit.
“I just started going. And I think it’s changed my life. I’m much more comfortable in my own skin. Things are so much easier now.”
~ Zac Efron
3. Johnny Depp
You’d have to be living under a rock to not be familiar with the work of Johnny Depp. John Christopher Depp II is an American actor, writer, and musician made famous by his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands, among many others.
Johnny Depp’s alcohol and drug abuse have been linked to childhood trauma from growing up in an abusive household. He has slipped in and out of addiction as a coping mechanism for difficult times in his life.
“I spent years poisoning myself…I was very, very good at it.”
~ Johnny Depp
4. Megan Fox
Megan Fox is an American actress and model, made famous through her role in the first Transformers movie. Fox had tried many illegal drugs such as ecstasy, heroin, and cocaine before deciding that the sober lifestyle suited her best.
“Self-loathing doesn’t keep me from being happy. But that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle.“
~ Megan Fox
5. Sir Elton John
Elton John is an iconic music artist in his early seventies. Sir Elton struggled for many years with his addiction before taking a leap of faith and asking for help.
Now three decades sober, he says that the battle with addiction never ends and he makes sure to avoid situations where drugs are involved.
“I realized that I only had two choices: I was either going to die or I was going to live, and which one did I want to do? And then I said those words, ‘I’ll get help,’ or, ‘I need help. I’ll get help.’ And my life turned around. Ridiculous for a human being to take 16 years to say, ‘I need help.’”
~ Sir Elton John
6. Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is an award-winning American actress. Jolie has struggled with substance abuse all of her life and has openly stated: “I’ve done coke, heroin, ecstasy, LSD, everything.”
Jolie has credited adopting her first child, Maddox, as the reason she is now sober. She has also devoted her life to humanitarian efforts, completing some 40 international UN missions.
“Nothing would mean anything if I didn’t live a life of use to others.”
~ Angelina Jolie
7. Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato is a millennial American singer and actress, who was first made famous by her appearance on Barney and Friends.
Like many other child stars, Lovato got addicted to cocaine at a young age. She even stated that she smuggled cocaine onto a plane due to not being able to go more than 30 minutes without a hit. Lovato famously had a drug overdose in 2018 that led to her recovery.
“Recovery is something that you have to work on every single day and it’s something that doesn’t get a day off.”
~ Demi Lovato
8. Mary-Kate Olsen
Mary-Kate Olsen is an American actress and fashion designer, made famous by her role in Full House when she was just a young child.
Olsen is another child star who turned to cocaine to cope with her fame. In 2004 Mary-Kate Olsen spent six weeks in rehab to overcome her eating disorder and addiction.
“The way I see it, you have to take every chance you get because there may not be another one. You have to learn from your mistakes because nobody’s perfect. You have to laugh, love and live every day as if it’s your last.”
~ Mary-Kate Olsen
Recovering From Cocaine Addiction
Many celebrities turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame. While there are many stories of untimely celebrity deaths connected to alcohol, drugs, and addiction, the above list of famous people offers hope that recovery is possible.
The first step to recovering from any substance misuse is to be open and honest with yourself and recognize that drugs or alcohol are running your life and you might be addicted to them.
Recovering from any substance abuse, including cocaine addiction, is entirely possible as these celebrities can attest.
Not only should we applaud their dedication and perseverance for turning their lives around and recovering from addiction, but we should also give thanks to them for sharing their stories so that others can see recovery is achievable for those who desire it.
Photo Credits:
- Robert Downey, Jr. by Georges Biard
- Zac Efron and Megan Fox by Eva Rinaldi
- Johnny Depp by Angela George
- Elton John by Georges Biard
- Demi Lovato by Marcen27
- Mary-Kate Olsen by David Shankbone
