We often look to celebrity culture as a source of inspiration, whether it’s career paths we want to take or clothes we want to wear.
They live their lives in the spotlight, through the good times and the bad, and the pressures of that can often lead to a life of alcohol, drugs and some quite difficult times.
There are many different stories around celebrity lifestyles that can act as a word of warning or inspiration to do something good with your life, particularly when it comes to drug addiction. So, whether you’re considering experimenting with drugs, are looking to get help with addiction treatment in the depths of addiction, or simply want to know which celebrities have battled drug addiction, here are five stories you must know about…
Amy Winehouse
Perhaps one of the biggest cautionary tales of all is the great Amy Winehouse. She had an incredibly talent that was destroyed by the darkness of drugs. To a backdrop of the papparazi continually hounding her, she struggled with the likes of heroin and crack cocaine, and it took a notable toll on both her appearance and her behaviour on stage.
Her life spiralled out of control, but rather than being surrounded by a supportive environment, she continued to be beside influences that enabled her rather than helped her and that ultimately cost her her life, aged just 27.
It’s a devastating story that not only shows the dangers of drugs, but the importance of a support network when the pressures of life skyrocket.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death in 2014 sent shockwaves around the world. Appearing in some truly great movies, he was a legend in Hollywood, but notably had many battles with both heroin and prescription opioids.
Prescription drugs can be hugely damaging and it is possible to overdose on them, just as Hoffman accidentally overdosed on a cocktail of drugs a little under a decade ago. Despite being at the top of his game, it proved that addiction can hit anyone, at anytime – it really does have no prejudices.
Lindsay Lohan
Fame hit Lindsay Lohan from a young age, in much the same way it did for Drew Barrymore. Both have battled addiction from a young age after being thrust into the spotlight.
For Lohan, she struggled with alcohol and cocaine, leading to a number of arrests and putting a real pause on her acting career. What she did do though is seek help.
And she’s lived to tell the tale. Lohan married last year and she has returned to movies, starring in a number of upcoming Netflix features. The lesson to learn? Get help. It’s that simple.
Macaulay Culkin
Similarly, Macaulay Culkin’s relationship with addiction follows a similar pathway. Pressure from a young age requires a lot of support, which it seems many child stars simply don’t get. They become this gravy train in which they can’t cope, turning to drugs, which are so accessible in such an industry.
It took a long time for Culkin to battle through his demons and he’s found fame once again, starring in the fifth season of American Horror Story, which was met with great acclaim. Many of us thought he’d never return, most likely being found in a ditch somewhere as a result of his problems, but he proved it’s never too late to turn it around. It doesn’t matter who you are.