It’s a known fact that addictions are common amongst Hollywood celebrities, but how high is the count of famous celebrities who needed rehab after partying too hard, for too long? There are at least 30 infamous names that struggled with drug and alcohol abuse throughout the past 20 years alone, but what about other issues?
Stardom has many pros and cons, and while most celebrities enjoy the glamorous lifestyle and extravagant flair of being in the spotlight, their personalities aren’t necessarily fit to deal with the adjacent pressures. Recently, we published an article about 9 celebrities who lost it in public, scoping out the singers and actors who embarrassingly suffered through mental disorders and psychotic episodes in public. Although I’d rather not repeat names and have therefore left our kooky stars off this list, there are others that have checked in to rehab over depression, anxiety, bulimia, anorexia, and exhaustion.
So the combination of an addictive personality, the wrong environment, and the need to comply with the Hollywood standards for beauty and talent rubbed these stars the wrong way, resulting in breakdowns and needed interventions. Let’s take a look at these famous celebrities who needed rehab, and why.
10. Demi Lovato
This young teen star and X-Factor judge shocked her fans in 2011 when she checked into rehab for several reasons that included bulimia, cocaine addiction, and self-mutilation through cutting. After spiraling out of control and hitting one of her backup dancers, Demi decided it was time to take matters into her own hands. While in rehab, the 22-year-old was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is now living a healthy life with adequate treatment.
There are nine more famous celebrities who needed rehab yet to come on our list, the next of which tragically succumbed to his addictions despite his stints in rehab.
9. Cory Monteith
The Glee actor who played the dreamy and noble love interest of protagonist Rachel (Lea Michele) struggled with drug abuse for many years, checking into rehab in 2011 and then again in March 2013. Cory’s addiction included heroin, and unfortunately he lost his battle, passing away from an overdose just a couple of months after being released from the recovery facility, in July 2013.
8. Daniel Radcliffe
Like many child-stars, the actor who came to fame through his role as Harry Potter, suffered from alcohol addiction for many years. In 2010 he finally checked into a rehab clinic and kicked his habit. In July, he then decided to tackle his nicotine addiction.
7. Nicole Richie
In 2003, the reality-TV-star-turned-fashion-designer, was arrested for possession of heroin. Shortly afterwards, Nicole checked into a rehab clinic where she fought her demons – including anorexia. Today, she’s a mother and has managed to stay sober. So let’s have a round of applause for this gal.
6. Billie Joe Armstrong
The Green Day lead singer was addicted to several anti-anxiety and insomnia drugs for so long that he eventually started losing touch with reality, mixing day pills with night pills. However, in September 2012 he faced his drug dependency and went to rehab.
5. Lindsay Lohan
This former child-star is an absolute must on any celebrity rehab list. Lindsay has battled an addiction to alcohol and drugs for the majority of her adult life, and has a collection of mug-shots to last a lifetime. With her most recent stunt – crashing her Porsche into a garbage truck on the Santa Monica freeway in Los Angeles – she barely escaped jail and was sentenced instead to 90 days in a closed rehab centre, 30 days of community service, as well as 18 months of additional psychological counseling.
4. Drew Barrymore
One of the youngest Hollywood actresses to succumb to the pressures of her environment was Drew Barrymore. The former child star started drinking at age 9, smoking marihuana a year later and was snorting cocaine by the time she was 12. Talk about growing up fast! By the time she was 13 she had already been to rehab twice, but has been sober throughout her adult life. We’re glad she kicked the habit early.
3. Angelina Jolie
While the UN peace ambassador, mother of six, and wife of Brad Pitt is healthy and happy today, Angelina Jolie had a long and complicated relationship with drug use in her adolescence. From LSD, to ecstasy, to heroin, the actress tried just about every drug, in addition to self-mutilating herself and suffering from anorexia. After several runs through rehab she finally got her life back on track and has now become one of the most remarkable female role models in Hollywood.
2. Jamie Lee Curtis
Stemming from a family where addictions run strung, the actress battled her own demons for most of her life. She was addicted to alcohol and pain killers, but has been sober for 13 years after several stints in rehab. She considers her recovery from drug abuse to be the single greatest accomplishment of her life.
1. Kelly Osbourne
Like so many other teenage celebrities born into a rock-and-roll family, Kelly suffered from alcohol and drug addiction, just like her brother Jack and both parents, Sharon and Ozzy. The Fashion Police star checked into rehab four times, the latest reported in 2009. Let’s hope the fourth one was a charm.
