10 Quotes from Celebrities Who Have Beaten Addiction

Celebrities and Addiction Recovery: Using Their Platform to Educate and Inspire

When you’re struggling with addiction and substance abuse, it’s easy to feel alone. You might think no one can truly understand what you’re going through, and worry you will never make it to the other side.

You may not realize it right now, but plenty of other people, including some of the most successful celebrities in the world, have been where you are right now and they have managed to transform their lives for the better. Many celebrities in recovery have decided to use their platform to share their experience, educate the public, and offer inspiration and encouragement to people currently in need of help.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Quotes from Celebrities in Recovery

If you’re in need of some inspiration, listening to the words of someone who has been where you are and successfully turned their life around is a great place to start. Plenty of well-known actors, musicians, and other celebrities have spoken out about the disease of addiction. Here are 10 inspiring quotes to guide you on your recovery journey.

Rob Lowe on What Really Matters 

Rob Lowe celebrated 30 years of recovery in 2020. He got sober at the age of 26 and at the time thought:

“I’m not giving up my fun! When I get married, I’m not gonna have a drink? When I have a kid, I’m not gonna have a whiskey? Guess what?  I didn’t have any of that, and it’s awesome… being in recovery has given me everything of value that I have in my life.” -Rob Lowe

Jamie Lee Curtis on Being Courageous 

After nursing a secret Vicodin addiction for 10 years, Jamie Lee Curtis got sober and came out stronger on the other side. She now has over 20 years of recovery under her belt. She’s been very open about her addiction to painkillers, which started after routine plastic surgery. She has these words of wisdom to share with others in recovery:

“Getting sober was the single bravest thing I’ve ever done, and will ever do, in my life. Being courageous enough to acknowledge it privately with my family and friends. Working really hard at solidifying it, getting support around it, and being healthy. And then talking about it publicly. That is the single greatest accomplishment of my life.” -Jamie Lee Curtis 

Robert Downey Jr. on Hitting Rock Bottom 

Robert Downey Jr. famously struggled with addiction for years. At his lowest point, he was arrested multiple times, was in and out of court-mandated rehabs, spent 12 months in jail, experienced homelessness, lost his job, and almost went bankrupt. He got sober in 2003 and made an incredible comeback both personally and professionally. He credits his more than 17 years of sobriety to a combination of 12-step programs, yoga, meditation, eastern martial arts, and therapy. He is an outspoken member of the recovery community and has recounted his experience at rock bottom with these words:

“Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there. The lesson is that you can still make mistakes and be forgiven.” -Robert Downey Jr.

Eminem Raps About Addiction and Recovery 

He may be on the top of the world now, but it was not that long ago rapper Eminem was at the absolute low-point of his life. It was his family who helped him get through his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, and now he shares his experiences with these memorable words:

“That’s when I knew; I either get help, or I am going to die. As a father, I want to be here for things. I don’t want to miss anything else.” -Eminem

Kristen Davis on Alcoholism as a Disease 

Even in the face of growing evidence, many people refuse to acknowledge that alcoholism is a disease, but those who have been through it know better. Well-known actress Kristen Davis has experienced alcoholism from several sides, including a family history of excess drinking and her own direct experience. As a result, Kristen states:

“I believe alcoholism is a disease. I don’t think you can’t mess with it.” -Kristen Davis

Bradley Cooper on Getting and Staying Sober 

You already know that Bradley Cooper is a successful award-winning actor, but did you know he has struggled with addiction and substance abuse? Cooper has been open about his struggles, and he shares the impact getting sober has had on his life and his relationships, saying:

“I would never be sitting here with you, no way, no chance, I wouldn’t have been able to have access to myself or other people, or even been able to take in other people, if I hadn’t changed my life.  No way.  I never would have been able to have the relationships that I do.  I never would have been able to take care of my father the way I did when he was sick.  So many things.” -Bradley Cooper

Naomi Campbell on the Ugliness of Substance Abuse 

She may be one of the most beautiful women in the world, but Naomi Campbell has faced some ugly truths in her life. Like others on our list, Campbell has been honest about her history with substance abuse, revealing a long history of cocaine addiction as well as how much rehab and Narcotics Anonymous meetings have helped her.  Naomi Campbell has learned to embrace her mistakes and move on.  In a 2004 interview with Diane Sawyer, she said:

“I don’t blame anybody but myself.  I did it because I wanted to do it.  Never blame, because if you blame… you need to go back to rehab… that means you didn’t get it.” -Naomi Campbell

Kelly Osbourne on Rock and Roll and Substance Abuse 

The world watched her grow up in the shadow of her famous father, but Kelly Osbourne has something else in common with her dad Ozzy – a history of substance abuse. Now she opens up about those struggles saying:

“I wholeheartedly confess that I’m finally at peace with myself and truly starting to understand what true happiness is.” -Kelly Osborne

Amanda Bynes on Addiction and Recovery 

She may be one of the best-known people in the entertainment world, but even Amanda Bynes is not immune to the danger of substance abuse. In fact, Bynes has endured a history of addiction and recovery, and now she has this to say:

“My advice to anyone who is struggling with substance abuse would be to be really careful because drugs can really take a hold of your life.” -Amanda Bynes

Keith Urban on Learning from Mistakes and Moving On 

Drinking songs are a big part of country music, but Keith Urban would rather talk about sobriety these days. The successful country singer and songwriter talks openly about his struggles with substance abuse saying:

“You know, early in my sobriety, there was a period when I wished I hadn’t succumbed to drugs and everything the way I did. It sucked up so much creative time when I should have been in the studio working. But I don’t know what came from that time, other than that I’m where I am because of, or in spite of it.  Nobody knows and never will.” -Keith Urban

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.