No one is immune to the hazards of addiction.
Regardless of your race, gender, social status, or career, you can feel the shattering effects of substance abuse. Many celebrities in recovery have been open about their drug and alcohol abuse problems. These three celebrities have been transparent about their addiction to prescription drugs and have motivated others with their recovery stories. As a drug and alcohol treatment center in Chicago, we understand that addiction can take a nasty toll on your life regardless of your situation. The best way to avoid the repercussions of this disease is by seeking treatment as soon as possible.
Celebrities Recovering from Prescription Drug Abuse
We’ve seen them in our favorite shows and movies, and we’ve read about them in various magazines, but that’s only a small glimpse of who they really are. Like many, celebrities often have personal struggles they’d prefer to keep private. However, addiction can be difficult to hide. Celebrities who were addicted to painkillers or other substances can attest to the difficulties of struggling with this disease in the public eye. Below are a few famous people who were addicted to prescription drugs and have since turned their lives around.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis’s prescription drug abuse began when she was given Vicodin after undergoing a cosmetic procedure -- but this wasn’t her first encounter with substance abuse. Her father had passed away from a heroin overdose at the age of 21, even sharing his cocaine with Curtis once. She claimed that she was a controlled addict and was careful about when and where she would use. However, this disease usually worsens without treatment, and at the lowest point of her addiction, she was stealing drugs from her sister. Her sister’s loving but tough confrontation made her realize she needed help. After reading an article about a writer’s struggles with an addiction to painkillers, Curtis’s resolve was strengthened. She’s now been sober for over 20 years and has been open about her past struggles in hopes of encouraging others to get addiction treatment.
Many people who begin taking prescription drugs end up misusing them and developing an addiction. At Banyan Chicago, we offer a prescription pill treatment program that is designed to treat the effects of prescription drug abuse and help people from all walks of life find sobriety.
Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry is well-known for playing the sarcastic and witty Chandler on the hit television show, Friends. However, even when he was playing his fun and happy character on screen, his private life was toeing a slippery slope. Perry claims he can’t remember his performance for several seasons on the show due to his alcoholism, which eventually developed into a painkiller addiction. After being in a jet ski accident, he developed a dependency on Vicodin. Although he attempted to hide his problem, the signs of substance abuse eventually began to show, and his co-stars encouraged him to seek treatment. Fortunately, after years of drug abuse and several stints of rehab, he was able to achieve sobriety and has maintained it since.
Winona Ryder
Since the ’80s, Winona Ryder has been admired for her beauty and acting abilities. She’s well-known for her performances in classics like Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Girl, Interrupted. Unfortunately, the early stages of her career weren’t always as fabulous as they seemed. Like many other celebrities who were addicted to painkillers, her prescription drug abuse began after receiving medication to help her sleep and to alleviate pain. As recently as 2001, Ryder was arrested and found with drugs including Demerol, Diazepam, Vicoprofen, Vicodin, Percodan, Valium, and Endocet, with Oxycodone on her person.1 The actress had been doctor shopping for six years and had received several prescriptions from 20 different doctors.1 As part of her sentencing, Ryder was required to receive addiction treatment. Since then, she’s at a better place in her life and is even starring in the hit show, Stranger Things.
At Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago, we know that substance abuse does not discriminate. If you or someone you know is battling with addiction, call us at 888-280-4763 today to find out how we can help you.
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