Celebrities are often placed on pedestals as having perfect lives we should all aspire to.

But it turns out they face the same struggles as the rest of us.

One such struggle that knows no boundaries of fame or fortune is addiction.

From drug abuse to eating disorders, addiction has left its mark on many, including some of the most successful and beloved figures in Hollywood.

Here are five celebrities who have been open about their struggles with addiction.

5 Celebrities Who Struggled With Addiction:

Celebrity Story 1: Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most in demand actors today, starring in movies such as Iron Man and Oppenheimer.

But there was a time he was blacklisted in Hollywood due to his drug problems.

The actor was fired from the T.V. show Ally McBeal in 2001 after a drug related arrest.

The actor’s drug addiction is well documented. In 1999, he was sentenced to three years in prison after multiple parole violations stemming from an earlier arrest.

He has been sober since 2003 and continues his Hollywood comeback.

Robert Downey Jr.’s recovery from addiction is often used as a positive example.

Celebrity Story 2: Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry’s addiction story isn’t as uplifting.

Best known as ‘Chandler Bing’ from the sitcom Friends, Perry detailed his addiction in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing.

In the book, he revealed that he began drinking alcohol at age 14.

The actor further shared that his addiction to prescription drugs was at its worst during the time Friends was at the height of its popularity.

He planned to create a foundation to help recovering addicts. Unfortunately, he never got a chance. Matthew Perry died in October 2023 after drowning in a hot tub.

While Perry claimed to be sober before his death, the autopsy showed he had acute levels of ketamine in his system that contributed to his drowning.

Celebrity Story 3: Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato is one of many celebrities who got their start on the Disney Channel.

In 2008, she co starred in the movie Camp Rock with the Jonas Brothers.

The singer actress released her first album, Don’t Forget, that same year.

Lovato’s troubles began in her teenage years, leading to her entering rehab at the age of 18.

After a period of sobriety, Lovato suffered a highly publicized overdose in 2018.

She spent several weeks in the hospital and then entered an in patient rehab facility.

Lovato now openly discusses her journey to sobriety.

Celebrity Story 4: Elton John

Elton John has been sober for over 30 years.

The music legend struggled with addiction for over a decade.

In the late 1970s and 1980s, he had a severe addiction to alcohol and cocaine.

He credits Ryan White as the reason why he sought help for his addiction.

White, a teenager from Indiana, made headlines in the 1980s after contracting AIDS through a blood transfusion.

The young boy’s death spurred Elton John to enter rehab.

The singer now advocates for HIV awareness and uses his addiction struggles to help other addicts.

Celebrity Story 5: Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore shot to stardom at just seven years old when she was cast in the movie E.T. the Extra Terrestrial.

Her addiction problems started at an early age, too.

Barrymore previously revealed that she started drinking alcohol at age nine and smoking marijuana at 10.

By the time she was 12, Drew Barrymore was addicted to cocaine.

At the age of 14, she was institutionalized after a suicide attempt.

After being released, she was legally emancipated from her parents and began rebuilding her life and career.

Barrymore has been sober for many years and is an example of how it’s possible to overcome even the darkest of times.

What You Should Remember?

Addiction is not a joke, and there are many types of addictions.

More often than not, it’s not something you can overcome by yourself.

Most of these celebrities had someone actively working with them.

You need some support group of professionals to guide you through the process. So if there is someone you love that is going through addiction and you want to help them (or if it’s you), we strongly recommend to look for help.