Drug addiction is a pervasive problem that has plagued millions of people around the world, and celebrities have not been immune to it. According to studies, the number of famous people who’ve succumbed to their addictions has nearly doubled, and there is a notable rise in the involvement of prescription opioids.
From actors and singers to athletes and even politicians, read on for a list of famous drug addicts who made headlines and how their struggles illustrate the devastating power of addiction.
Celebrity Drug Addicts
The media often highlights the lives of addicts in the entertainment industry as their stories serve as a cautionary tale to others who may be struggling with addiction. By examining these well-known cases, we hope to raise awareness of the dangers of drug addiction and the importance of seeking help when struggling with substance abuse.
Kodak Black
In July 2022, Kodak Black, whose real name is Bill Kapri, was stopped by the Florida Highway Patrol, who searched his SUV and found a bag of 31 oxycodone tablets and almost $75,000 in cash.
After being arrested, Black was charged with drug trafficking, and he also tested positive for fentanyl, a potent drug approved by the FDA as a painkiller and anesthetic. According to sources, a judge ordered the 25-year-old rapper to go to rehab.
Johnny Depp
From what we’ve seen and heard during the Depp v. Heard trial, celebrities and drugs can and do wreak havoc. And even though Mr. Depp has not been officially classified as a drug addict, it’s obvious he has a particular preference for drugs.
Part of the defense of his famous lawyers was an official statement from his therapist saying that Depp has been struggling with benzodiazepines, stimulants, alcohol, and opioids.
This not only puts Depp on a list of celebrities who do drugs but also sets him as one of the few who have never gone to rehab to try and battle it. During the trial, Depp only said he tried drug detoxification schemes but never anything official.
Britney Spears
As one of the celebrities with BPD, pop singer Britney Spears has been struggling with her mental disorder and substance abuse for over a decade. She is one of the most controversial and famous drug addicts, but she is also a person who has undergone involuntary psychiatric evaluations, and medication and has been placed under conservatorship.
Several reasons led to this, including a hit-and-run, erratic and violent behavior in front of her children, and sexual harassment charges by her former bodyguard, which nearly got her listed as a celeb sex offender. In 2021, Spears gained her freedom after a 14-year conservatorship on her life and finances, but unfortunately, her mental functioning still appears questionable.
Yoo Ah-in
South Korean actor from the hit TV show, Hellbound, Yoo Ah-in has recently been under investigation because the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety found that he had purchased significant quantities of the sedative propofol.
Following an investigation, drug tests showed high amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and ketamine—an issue that is not taken lightly in South Korea. In fact, the media there has already doomed Ah-in, one of the many rising stars addicted to drugs.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Another name on our list of celebrity drug addicts only recently admitted to using prescription and other A-class drugs, including magic mushrooms, which he enjoyed at a party in the home of Courteney Cox.
In his memoir, Spare, Harry extensively elaborates on how he used recreational drugs to cope with mental health issues and trauma. Moreover, he even disclosed this information in his visa application which may put his residency in California under questioning.
Famous Drug Addicts in Recovery
From easy access to drugs and other harmful substances to no-money issues and the stress of constantly being in the public eye, there are many celebrities struggling with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
Data shows that while alcohol is the number one cause of addiction, there are many celebrities with drug addictions, eating disorders, and mental health issues. Luckily, there are also celebrities in recovery working hard to take control of their lives. Here’s a list of famous recovering addicts:
Demi Moore
Among famous alcoholics, Ghost star Demi Moore is also one of the many celebrities who went to rehab, have relapsed, and are still struggling with their addiction even today. In her book Inside Out, Moore details her addiction to alcohol, Vicodin, cocaine, and codependency to her third ex-husband Ashton Kutcher.
After being sober for eight years, Moore relapsed at a party in Rumer and suffered a seizure. According to her statement, she was smoking synthetic marijuana and had inhaled nitrous oxide.
Cara Delevingne
British supermodel and actress Cara Delevingne checked into rehab herself in late 2022 and is now still in recovery. Before going into rehab, she was seen outside an airport with no shoes, and her behavior looked troubling, bizarre even.
Delevingne is one of the many female celebrities in recovery who have spoken openly about their addiction and mental health struggles.
Russell Brand
British actor and comedian Russell Brand is one of the most controversial figures and a person who has struggled with heroin addiction for many years. Reportedly, he has been clean and out of the gang of famous heroin addicts since 2003, but is still in the process of recovery and dedicated to helping others who are struggling with addictions.
Eminem
Speaking of celebrity drug addicts in recovery, rapper Eminem’s story is worth mentioning. At the peak of his career, when he was producing albums that made history and won him multiple awards, the musician was battling alcohol and drug addiction which nearly got him killed.
The interesting bit here is that unlike many of the other celebrities doing drugs or in recovery, Eminem got hooked on prescription opioids which at the time were considered harmless.
Recovered Celebrity Drug Addicts
From everyday people to famous recovered addicts, these individuals have battled their demons and gone through a painful recovery process to deserve their sobriety. Their stories matter and can also help shed light on the challenges and complexities of drug addiction and the importance of seeking help. Below is our list of addiction survivors.
Robert Downey Jr.
After giving a remarkable performance in Chaplin, a film that earned him an Academy Award nomination, Downey’s career was going to another level. Unfortunately, in 1996 he was arrested for possession of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and an unloaded 357 Magnum.
Following a court-ordered drug treatment program, Downey has maintained his sobriety since 2003. His story is not just of famous people who did drugs and are now sober but one of victory as he is now one of the highest-paying actors in Hollywood.
Elton John
Many famous drug-addicted musicians have succumbed to their vices, but Elton John is a monument of recovery. After struggling with alcohol and drug abuse as a means to help him cope with his fame, singer Elton John has now been sober for over three decades.
In addition to his drug issues, he’s on the list of HIV-positive celebrities and has suffered from bulimia for six years.
Steven Tyler
In addition to being a celebrity with ADHD, musician Steven Tyler, is a recovered drug addict. Back in the 70s, when his band Aerosmith was creating some of the biggest hits in music history, celebrities with drug problems were quite common. In fact, Tyler says: “Hardly any bands knew what sober meant”.
When he finally reached rock bottom in the late ’80s, Steven went to rehab and was sober for 12 years until he recently suffered a relapse after taking prescription opioids following foot surgery. Tyler voluntarily entered a treatment program and is now out and well again.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Academy Award winner, Jamie Lee Curtis has been sober for over 20 years now. Her addiction to opiates started after she had cosmetic procedures done but thanks to a good treatment program and support from other people and famous addicts in recovery. Curtis is now a strong advocate for policies to reduce prescription drug misuse and sees her sobriety as her legacy.
Samuel L. Jackson
There are stories about famous drug addicts and celebrities who did drugs, and then there’s the story of Samuel L. Jackson, an actor and crack addict who went into rehab and worked his way out as fast as he could so he could star in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever as a crack addict whose habit tears his family apart.
Ironically enough, by killing it as the character of Gator Purify, Jackson killed his addiction. He has now been clean for nearly 30 years.
Lindsay Lohan
American actress and singer, famous for The Parent Trap, has had a highly publicized struggle with drug and alcohol addiction throughout her career. She has been in and out of rehab several times and has faced legal troubles related to her substance abuse. However, since 2013, Lohan has taken steps towards recovery, has not relapsed, and enjoys a completely sober lifestyle.
Oprah Winfrey
When the most beloved talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, opened up about her struggle with cocaine, the world was in shock. Just like many other people in showbiz who had publicly disclosed the struggles of being drug addicts, Oprah shared that coping with reality was hard for her and that crack cocaine was her medicine.
Since then, she has not only dedicated countless episodes on her show to discuss addiction and healthy recovery programs, but she has also been sober since the early 80s.
Celebrities Who Died from Drugs
The ugly truth about drugs is that they don’t discriminate and can affect people from all walks of life, including the rich and famous. And even though there have been many success stories in recent years, history has also seen many celebrity overdoses.
In fact, the number of celebrities who died from overdose in the period from 1970 to 2015 was 300. Here’s our list of the most tragic and famous overdoses.
Michael Jackson
On June 25th, 2009, the King of Pop died at the age of 50 in his Los Angeles home. The cause of death was determined to be acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, administered by Jackson’s personal physician, Conrad Murray.
Jackson had a history of prescription drug abuse and had been struggling with various health issues in the years leading up to his death. There were also numerous accusations that Jackson was walking a thin line between being a sexual predator and an offender but never went to trial for this.
Janis Joplin
The iconic American singer and first female rockstar is one of the many celebrities who died young from drugs. Janis Lyn Joplin was barely 27 when she overdosed on heroin on October 4, 1970. Joplin had a history of substance abuse and addiction, which ultimately led to her untimely death.
Heath Ledger
The acclaimed actor known for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight died on January 22, 2008. The cause of death was determined to be an accidental overdose of prescription medications, including painkillers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medication.
River Phoenix
When it comes to famous people who died from drugs, the story of a promising young actor known for his roles in Stand By Me and My Own Private Idaho is a real tragedy.
Phoenix died on October 31, 1993, at the age of 23. He collapsed outside of a nightclub in Hollywood and was pronounced dead shortly after. The cause of death was combined drug intoxication, specifically a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin.
Anna Nicole Smith
American model, actress, and television personality died on February 8, 2007. She was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Florida and was pronounced dead shortly after. The cause of death was determined to be an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including a sedative and a painkiller.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
The story of an Oscar-winning actor known for his powerful performances in films such as Capote and The Master is another tragic reminder of just how many celebrities who died of drug overdose could have done much more in life.
Hoffman was found dead in his Manhattan apartment, and the cause of death was determined to be an accidental overdose of heroin and other drugs.
John Belushi
The iconic comedian and actor joins our list of celebrities who overdosed on heroin. Known for his roles on the Saturday Night Live show and the legendary The Blues Brothers, Belushi was found dead in a hotel room in Hollywood, on March 5th, 1982.
Following an investigation, Canadian singer Catherine Evelyn Smith was found guilty of injecting the actor with a fatal dose of heroin and cocaine, for which she served 15 months in prison.
Layne Staley
Another one on our list of celebrities who died from drug overdose is Layne Staley, lead vocalist of the Seattle-based rock band Alice in Chains. Staley was found dead in his apartment on April 5, 2002. The cause of death was determined to be an overdose of heroin and cocaine. Staley had a long history of drug addiction and had struggled with the issue for many years.
Whitney Houston
On February 11th, 2012, the legendary singer and actress was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Beverly Hills. The cause of death was determined to be an accidental drowning, exacerbated by heart disease and cocaine use. Houston.
Like many other famous people who died from drugs before her, she had a history of substance abuse and had sought treatment for addiction.
Ike Turner
Speaking of celebs who died from overdose, Ike Turner makes an interesting case as, unlike most, he died at the age of 76.
On December 12th, 2007, Turner was found dead in his home in San Marcos, California, with the cause of death being a cocaine overdose. Turner had a history of drug addiction and abusive behavior which his former wife, Tina Turner, describes in detail in her memoir, My Love Story.
Jim Morrison
The iconic frontman of the legendary rock band The Doors, died on July 3, 1971, in Paris, France. The exact cause of death remains unknown, but it is believed that he died of a heart attack, likely brought on by a combination of alcohol and drugs.
Morrison had a well-documented history of substance abuse and had been in and out of rehab facilities in the years leading up to his death.
The Takeaway
Openly discussing celebrities who lost it all to drugs, the ones struggling to recover, and the ones who turned their lives around and came out victorious can help people better understand the severity of taking drugs. All of the people we’ve mentioned in our list and other famous drug addicts in history serve as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing addiction as a public health issue.
