There’s no force as destructive as addiction. It takes hold of individuals, affecting not just their physical health but also their emotional, mental, and social well-being. The toll it takes on relationships, careers, and self-esteem can be overwhelming, leaving individuals feeling trapped and powerless. Unfortunately, addiction often thrives in secrecy and shame, making it difficult for those struggling to seek help or even acknowledge that they need it.
Addiction can take many shapes and forms, affecting people from all walks of life—including some of the world’s most famous celebrities. Whether it’s alcoholism, substance abuse, or even compulsive gambling, the grip of addiction can be incredibly difficult to break. However, many stars have chosen a path of sobriety, reclaiming their lives and careers in the process. Their journeys serve as powerful reminders that recovery is possible with the right mindset, support, and determination.
Even reputable affiliates like FreeSpinsTracker.com – a site that focuses on promoting no deposit free spins and many other types of free spins bonuses—highlight the importance of mindful and responsible gambling habits. The same rule of thumb applies to alcohol and drug consumption. If not, the only answer to living a healthy, addiction-free lifestyle is to abstain completely. By embracing sobriety, these celebrities have found newfound clarity, personal growth, and professional success, proving that change is always within reach.
Let’s take a look at some celebrities who have chosen sobriety and how it has transformed their lives.
#1. Zendaya
Zendaya is known for her effortless style and acting talent, but did you know she has chosen to stay sober? Despite playing a character battling substance abuse in Euphoria, she has spoken openly about her decision to avoid alcohol. She believes life is already stressful enough and prefers to stay in control of her choices without relying on drinking. For Zendaya, sobriety is about avoiding unnecessary vices and maintaining clarity in an often chaotic industry—and who can blame her?
#2. Zac Efron
Struggling with the pressures of fame, Zac Efron found himself caught in a cycle of seeking external validation and living up to others’ expectations. His decision to get sober in 2016 brought structure and clarity to his life. By prioritizing his well-being, he regained a sense of self and reconnected with hobbies he once loved, like skateboarding and surfing.
#3. Lana Del Rey
Following a lengthy battle with alcohol, Lana Del Rey made the decision to quit drinking and focus on her music career—all before turning 20. This choice allowed her to regain control of her life and channel her energy into her artistry, ultimately leading to her breakthrough success. Staying sober has remained a crucial part of her journey, helping her build a successful career while maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
#4. Florence Welch
During her rise to fame, Florence Welch became increasingly reliant on alcohol, experiencing its negative effects on both her personal life and career. A few months after her 27th birthday, she decided to give up drinking following a heartfelt plea from her mother. Now in her thirties, Florence has embraced the freedom that sobriety has brought her. She enjoys spending her Mondays working or reading rather than being consumed by regret from the night before, allowing her creativity to continue to flourish.
#5. Drew Barrymore
Having openly discussed her struggles with substance abuse as a teenager, Drew Barrymore chose to work on her recovery privately before sharing it with the world. The actress-turned-television host explained that recognizing her struggles and committing to change gave her the empowerment to take control of her life. She waited to make her sobriety public until she felt truly confident in her new lifestyle, describing it as a peaceful and positive transformation. Now, after years of sobriety, Drew is proud of the changes she’s made and the strength she’s gained along the way.
#6. Kit Harington
Kit Harington, best known for his role as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, has been open about his struggles with alcohol and addiction, both during and after the show. He has spoken candidly about experiencing intense periods of depression, often intertwined with his drinking. At his lowest, he felt trapped in a cycle of shame, believing that change was impossible.
A turning point came when he entered rehab and began shifting his mindset about recovery. Now sober for three years, Kit expresses gratitude for his transformed life, noting that his relationships, happiness, and overall sense of contentment have flourished since overcoming his struggles with alcohol.
#7. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has been open about her decision to become sober, a journey she began in June 2020 after needing vocal surgery. Initially, her choice was motivated by the surgery, but it quickly grew into a broader decision to prioritize her health. As a young person, Miley faced the challenge of overcoming the stigma that sobriety means being “no fun”. However, she made it clear that sobriety hasn’t affected her ability to enjoy life.
In addition to the physical improvements, Miley also found that being sober meant saying goodbye to the struggles of hangovers. Now, she wakes up feeling energized and ready to tackle her day, a lifestyle that has allowed her to focus on her well-being and career with a clearer mind.
#8. Daniel Radcliffe
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has been open about his struggles with alcohol, particularly during the later years of the franchise and the period that followed. He admitted that much of his drinking stemmed from feelings of panic and uncertainty about his future. After years of fame and the pressure of being in the public eye, he found himself feeling lost and uncomfortable in his own skin, making sobriety difficult to maintain. However, Radcliffe ultimately chose to give up alcohol—a decision that felt unusual at such a young age but one that proved to be incredibly rewarding.
#9. Anne Hathaway
In 2019, Anne Hathaway made the decision to give up drinking for a very specific reason—her role as a mother. She announced that she planned to stay sober for 18 years while raising her son, recognizing that he needed her full presence, especially in the mornings. While she never felt out of control around him, she admitted that hangovers were taking a toll, making her time with him less enjoyable.
Ultimately, Hathaway chose to prioritize her well-being and her relationship with her child, embracing sobriety as a way to be the best mother she could be. She has since shared that the decision has been a positive one, even if she initially found it frustrating just how much better she felt without alcohol.
#10. Tom Holland
Tom Holland has openly shared his journey to sobriety, explaining that his decision stemmed from realizing his alcohol dependence. In May 2023, he revealed that he had been sober for over a year. His path to quitting drinking wasn’t an impulsive choice but rather a gradual realization. After an especially alcohol-heavy December, he decided to take a break for January. However, he quickly noticed that alcohol was constantly on his mind, which made him recognize the extent of its grip on him.
To challenge himself, he extended his sobriety goal to two months, hoping to prove that he didn’t have a problem. Yet, even after successfully avoiding alcohol for that period, he still found it difficult, particularly in social and professional settings. This struggle led him to push his goal further, aiming to stay sober until his birthday in June. When the day arrived, he felt better than ever and decided to fully commit to a sober lifestyle, embracing the clarity and happiness it brought him.
