There is no exaggeration that alcohol and drugs have taken root in society as a part of normal cultural life.
Whether someone gathers with friends at a bar or simply goes out for dinner, alcohol is always present in life.
Similarly, drug use has also been rising, particularly in the younger communities, as the new trend and culture of the modern world.
Reading time: 9 min
There is no exaggeration that alcohol and drugs have taken root in society as a part of normal cultural life. Whether someone gathers with friends at a bar or simply goes out for dinner, alcohol is always present in life. Similarly, drug use has also been rising, particularly in the younger communities, as the new trend and culture of the modern world. Those who abstain from these substances face many questions, ridiculous looks, peer pressure, and even condemnation from certain people.
Amidst these rising trends, there is hope for a better world, especially with an increasing number of celebrities turning to sobriety and abstinence with every passing year. Over the years, many celebrities have come forward to explain their struggles and speak about their personal choice to ditch drugs and booze. (source: NHS, 2022)
Deciding to go teetotal is entirely personal and can be particularly challenging, primarily due to the multiple social occasions revolving around drinking. This is why it can be constructive to hear from others who have crossed the line and made it to a sober life. Listening in on why some of the most famous faces in the world chose to go sober can also be comforting and inspire others facing similar challenges. With that in mind, mentioned below is a list of 15 sober celebrities till 2023 who have overcome their addiction challenges and are currently entering the new year with sobriety.
Bradley Cooper
From 2001 to 2006, Bradley Cooper starred in a famous TV series called Spy. Many people don’t know that the actor was going through a difficult phase in life during this time. He was thinking of changing his profession after getting minimal screen time while suffering from alcoholism simultaneously. However, in 2004, the actor overcame his addiction and prevented it from destroying his life. (source: NIMH, 2024)
Daniel Radcliffe
The famous British actor rose to fame through his role as Harry Potter but soon got caught drinking as fame fell on him apart from his underlying condition called dyspraxia. As he struggled to get the tiniest things done, Radcliffe resorted to heavy alcohol use, which sometimes got so intense that he would turn off after a drinking session and forget what happened to him in most instances. However, he soon realized how his addiction was destroying his life and developed a fear of doing something under the influence that he could not correct later on. Upon reflecting more on his addiction and its impacts on his life, Daniel decided to go sober and has not drunk since. (source: NICE, 2011)
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. has battled both drug addiction and alcoholism for a long time. The situation got so worse that he once entered a neighbor’s house, undressed, and went to bed in their guest room under the influence of alcohol. Downey also faced imprisonment secondary to his addictions before he was finally rescued by his wife, Susan. According to the Iron man famed actor, his wife is his savior who must be recognized as a saint for helping him overcome his addictions and live a sober life, which he successfully maintains.
Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes struggled with alcohol dependence for years before seeking rehabilitation in a clinic in 2008. The American actor has successfully been maintaining her sobriety and mentions how she is really proud of other people who have the fearlessness and determination to face their demons and kick them out of their lives as she did. [4]
Zac Efron
Zac Efron managed to stop drinking in 2013 following a brief stay in rehab. In 2016, he mentioned how his newfound sobriety had supported him in finding structure in life. It allowed Zac to change his monotonous routine instantly and dramatically and made him realize how he viewed himself through other people’s eyes. Realizing that he had not been himself, he decided to get up and do something that made a difference in his personal life, and one of his efforts was getting rid of his years-long battle with addiction. (source: FindTreatment.gov, n.d.)
Christine Davis
The famous Sex and the City star has always been suspected of suffering from pernicious alcohol addiction. However, she attempted to escape this vicious cycle by attending Alcoholics Anonymous for multiple years. Christine describes her reason for abusing alcohol as her fear of the stage and shyness. She was seriously addicted until the age of 25, following which one of her friends saved her life by forcing her to join yoga classes and recover. At the moment, she has reportedly developed a terror of alcohol and even wished to give up her role as Charlotte in the famous series as she was involved in drinking cocktails all day.
Matthew Perry
The recovery timeline for Matthew Perry, the actor who rose to fame for his famous character in the sitcom Friends, was complicated. He had been struggling to get over his alcoholism for years and once succeeded in achieving it. Perry even went ahead and converted one of his houses into a shelter for people with similar addictions or hazardous habits. With multiple relapses here and there, Matthew is currently sober and more than happy to extend his experience and tips on quitting alcoholism. (source: NIAAA (NIH), n.d.)
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck has been struggling with alcoholism for several years and has always been vocal about his sobriety. The batman star has also been extremely open to the public about his rehab stays and family history of addiction. He finally expressed his wish to stop drinking in 1997 and sought professional help in 2001. After multiple rehab visits and a family-led intervention, he finally went sober but soon relapsed afterward. Ben regards these incidents as sober slips and mentions how they fail to affect his determination to quit alcohol and distance himself from it for good. [7]
Eminem
The rap icon is not only known for his unique vocals and music. The entire world knows about Eminem’s battle with opioid addiction, which was fueled by spousal abuse, childhood trauma, and the murder of a close friend. These factors took a massive toll on his musical output, health, and physical appearance for most of the 2000s. Fortunately, Eminem successfully challenged his struggles in the music and reached out for help to finally overcome his drug abuse and currently enjoys a sober life.
Chrissy Teigen
As the loving wife of John Legend and a mother to his kids, Chrissy Teigen realized how her drinking problems were becoming a huge problem once she went through a life-saving abortion in 2020. This incident incited a determination in Chrissy to give up on her drinking habits, and she was able to achieve this goal with support from her spouse and her two surviving children. (source: CDC, 2022)
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey, the undisputed media queen, has shown the world how life exists outside the spectrum of drug addiction. The famous anchorperson spilled the beans about her addiction in 1995 on her talk show, where she allowed viewers to relate to her struggles and use them to build their own success stories that others can emulate one day. (source: WHO, 2018)
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore initially chose to keep her alcohol abstinence struggles a secret and shared it with the rest of the world after successfully maintaining sobriety for two years. On a famous talk show, Drew admitted that she had been stuck in a destructive cycle that forced her to make significant changes. These big changes led her to experience a feeling of empowerment in life. The actor went on to explain how she kept her sobriety journey a secret from the world as she wished to build enough confidence to discuss it personally. Berry closed the discussion by mentioning how this newly acquired lifestyle was working well for her, and she is enjoying her newer and healthier life.
Naomi Campbell
The world-famous supermodel sat down with Vogue UK to discuss her struggles with alcohol, which particularly took a bad turn between 1998 and 2005. The addiction was so bad that it prevented Naomi from looking at herself in the mirror in self-contempt. However, she decided to battle this problem by joining Alcoholics Anonymous to stay sober. She also checked herself into rehab to overcome her cocaine addiction in 1999 and has been sober ever since. Years after, Campbell does not shy away from talking about her experiences with drug and alcohol addiction to help others in need. (source: MedlinePlus, n.d.)
Florence Welch
The 34-year-old singer first opened up about her sobriety journey in 2015 during an interview for Billboard. She mentioned how she used to drink alcohol before every performance to overcome her shyness and gain confidence. Welch went on to admit how she took enough to restrengthen so that she could finally give up alcohol and live a sober life, and she has been successfully keeping up with this lifestyle up till now. [11]
Lily Allen
Lily Allen has recently celebrated 18 months into sobriety. She has also been refreshingly open about her lifelong addiction battle and sobriety journey over the years. Lily also mentions being in a healthy and happy relationship with a partner who has dramatically supported her in maintaining abstinence.
FAQs
Is Miley Cyrus sober?
Miley Cyrus has been vocal about her family history of addiction and admitted having fallen for it herself. However, in June 2020, she announced that she had been sober for around six months which was initially because of the vocal surgery she was due to undergo. However, she decided to pursue this path regardless of this surgical procedure and said that she does not miss hangovers or the grogginess associated with drinking.
Is Post Malone sober?
Post Malone had been battling addiction for a long and soon realized how it was affecting his life on the whole. While he never sought professional help for this issue, the world-famous singer credits his fiancée for supporting him through the tough time and helping him achieve sobriety.
Is Will Smith sober?
Will Smith reports not drinking for over a decade during his rise as a movie star. He has admitted to being wildly disciplined and was willing to die to make his career. The actor recently revealed that nothing, including alcohol or drug use, was more critical than his dream of becoming the biggest movie star in the world.
Is Jack Harlow sober?
Jack Harlow gave up drinking in 2022 because of his wish to “feel everything.” The famous rapper mentioned that he simply did not have any room in his life for hangovers and is currently going strong with his newfound sobriety.
What is Bella Hadid sober from?
Bella Hadid mentions that she rarely gets drinks anymore and has wholly stopped consuming hard alcohol. She further mentioned how she has recognized what her body can and cannot handle, and she only relies on a glass of champagne and heads home without any more alcohol.
The Article
+
References
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol facts and statistics. National Institutes of Health. [niaaa.nih.gov]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Excessive alcohol use. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. [cdc.gov]
World Health Organization. (2023). Alcohol. World Health Organization. [who.int]
This article was written by THE BALANCE’s clinical content team and reviewed by a licensed medical or mental health professional (such as an MD, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or equivalent). Our reviewers ensure that the information reflects current research, accepted medical guidelines, and best practices in mental health and addiction treatment. THE BALANCE’s medical editors draw on extensive real-world clinical experience supporting individuals in residential, outpatient, and luxury private treatment settings across Europe and internationally.
Editorial Standards & Integrity
THE BALANCE follows strict editorial and clinical review standards to ensure accuracy, balance, and reliability:
All medical statements rely on authoritative sources such as the WHO, NIMH, APA, NHS, CDC, and SAMHSA
Statistics use the most recent and reliable research available
No medical or therapeutic claims are made without clear, verifiable evidence
Content is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect evolving science, treatment guidelines, and clinical best practices
Commercial interests do not influence clinical accuracy; all clinical insights are reviewed independently
Recommendations include context, limitations, and alternatives where appropriate
How We Review Sources
Our clinical writers and editors rely on:
Peer-reviewed research and meta-analyses
National and international treatment guidelines
Professional bodies and regulatory authorities
Verified public data from reputable institutions
We do not use anecdotal reports, unverified claims, or commercially biased sources. Every factual claim is supported by established evidence.
Conflicts of Interest
THE BALANCE provides private mental health and addiction treatment services. However, our clinical reviewers ensure that all content remains objective, non-promotional, and balanced. When discussing treatment options, we outline limitations, risks, and alternatives. Our priority is reader safety and informed decision-making.
How to Use This Information Safely
Mental health and addiction conditions are complex and vary significantly between individuals. The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. To maintain accuracy and trust, THE BALANCE updates articles regularly as new research and clinical guidance become available.
+
Do you need help?
If you’re struggling, you don’t have to handle it alone. Support is available - whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or dealing with alcohol or drug-related concerns. If you feel unsafe, are at risk of harming yourself, or someone else is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number immediately.
Talk to Someone Now (Free & Confidential)
Choose your country to find a trusted helpline near you:
Telefono Amico Italia: 800 860 022 or 02 2327 2327
Not an Emergency, but You Want Support?
If you’re not in immediate danger but are worried about yourself or someone you care about, reaching out early can make a meaningful difference.
Explore Care Options Near You
This website lists verified mental health professionals, addiction specialists, and treatment programs searchable by country and location. Use the “Find treatment” / “Providers” section to explore available options.
Or Reach Out to Us
If you’d like help understanding next steps, you can contact our team confidentially. We’ll listen without judgment and help you explore appropriate options.
Contact our team
Phone: +41445005111
Email: help@thebalance.clinic
Availability: Mon–Sun, 07:00–22:00 CET
Not sure what to say? You can simply write: “I need help.” We’ll take it from there.
Whether you are seeking support for yourself or someone close to you, we offer a discreet, clinician-led process to help you understand suitable options and next steps.
1 Speak confidentially
A private conversation to understand your situation, concerns, and goals - without pressure or obligation.
2 Receive clinical guidance
Our team will advise on suitability, appropriate options, and recommended next steps based on your needs.
3 Access coordinated care
If appropriate, we support assessment, admission logistics, and continuity of care planning - including family involvement where helpful.
