Sober Stars: Celebrities Who Ditched Alcohol for Good

In the words of comedian, actor, and sobriety guru Russell Brand, “We rewrite our past. We change our narrative. We reprogram ourselves … Our character is the result of this story we tell ourselves about ourselves, and the process of inventorying breaks down the hidden and destructive personal grammar that we have unwittingly allowed to govern our behavior.”

Brand is not the only celebrity to rewrite his story in a way that drastically shifted the role of alcohol in it. In a world characterized by glitz and glamor, alcohol has often been a ubiquitous part of celebrity culture. However, many have flipped the narrative, choosing to abstain and advocate for sobriety. Let's explore a few of those inspiring celebrities who bid adieu to alcohol for good.

Bradley Cooper

Award-winning actor Bradley Cooper took his last drink at age 29. Battling alcohol and substance misuse, Cooper realized that these substances were a hurdle in his path to success. Since embracing sobriety, Cooper's career has soared, with hits like Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper, and his directorial debut, A Star is Born — a movie that delves deep into the subject of substance misuse. His decision to become sober was, in his words, "the best decision" he ever made.

"The one thing I've learned in life is the best thing I can do is embrace who I am and then do that to the fullest extent, and then whatever happens, happens," Cooper said in an interview with Vanity Fair. This decision, no doubt, led him to the heights of Hollywood fame, where he stands tall today.

Kristin Davis

Famed for her role as Charlotte York on Sex and the City, Kristin Davis had an early encounter with alcohol misuse. Her struggles started in her youth, when she realized she was using alcohol as a crutch to overcome her insecurities and social anxieties. Today, Davis celebrates over two decades of sobriety, and credits her successful acting career to her decision to give up alcohol. 

Davis uses her story to encourage others to seek help if they're struggling with substance misuse: “I’m kind of shy normally, so I felt like I needed help. One thing led to another and I was drinking.” After she realized that acting and booze simply didn’t mix, she knew she had an important choice to make: “I thought, It’s going to be one or the other. I can’t really have both.”

Robert Downey Jr.

Perhaps one of the most notable sobriety stories in Hollywood is that of Robert Downey Jr. Almost unemployable due to his struggles with alcohol and drugs, Downey Jr. made a triumphant comeback. After years of legal troubles and stints in rehab, he made the decision to quit the substances and focused on reviving his career. The result was nothing short of a marvel, with his portrayal of Iron Man propelling him back to A-list status. 

His story serves as a beacon of hope for those battling destructive habits. As he famously said, “Remember, just because you hit bottom doesn't mean you have to stay there.”

Eminem

Marshall Mathers, or Eminem — the rapper renowned for his honest and often controversial lyrics — has used his music to openly talk about his struggles with substance misuse. After a near-death experience due to a methadone overdose in 2007, he chose sobriety. As he explained, “That’s when I knew: I either get help, or I am going to die. As a father, I want to be here for things. I don’t want to miss anything else. “ 

Now over a decade sober, he often uses his platform to inspire those fighting similar battles. In his album Recovery, he discusses his journey of sobriety, portraying the struggle and triumph in a relatable light.

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry, famously known for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends, had a very public struggle with alcohol and prescription drugs. In 2001, he checked into rehab, and used his platform to raise awareness about substance misuse until his death in October 2023.

"You can't have a drug problem for 30 years and then expect to have it be solved in 28 days," Perry told The Hollywood Reporter. His open, honest account of his struggles, alongside his legacy, has helped to dispel the stigma around recovery.

Naomi Campbell

Even the world of high fashion isn't immune to substance misuse. Supermodel Naomi Campbell has had her battles with alcohol and drugs. After years in the fast lane, Campbell decided to get sober.

"I gave up drinking alcohol," she told the Wall Street Journal. "Not so much for a dietary reason but because it was affecting my moods and my judgment." Today, Campbell is living her best life — a testament that sobriety and success can indeed go hand-in-hand.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith, renowned actress and host of the candid talk show Red Table Talk, has been a beacon of strength and resilience in her sobriety journey. She made the decision to give up alcohol years ago after realizing its impact on her lifestyle.

Smith had a “eureka” moment when she found herself drinking two bottles of wine on the couch. "I said, 'Jada, I think we've got a problem here,'" she recounted on an episode of her show. "From that day on, I went cold turkey."

Calvin Harris

Superstar DJ and producer Calvin Harris is another celebrity who has turned his back on alcohol to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Harris, one of the highest-paid DJs in the world, realized early in his career that the party lifestyle was taking a toll on his performance and health.

He quit drinking in his early 20s and has been candid about the transformation this has made on his life and career. "The difference in being hungover and being sober is A to Z," Harris told BBC. "It's incredible. I mean, I can have this intense workload now and I just take it in my stride whereas before, it was a struggle."

Harris's journey to sobriety highlights how even in professions with a “party” reputation, it's possible to maintain a successful alcohol-free career. His decision has both positively impacted his health and also led to a surge in his creativity and performance as one of the world's leading music artists.

Daniel Radcliffe

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe was also trapped in alcohol misuse. Feeling the pressures of his early fame, Radcliffe turned to alcohol to cope. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Radcliffe said: “If I went out and if I got drunk, I’d suddenly be aware of there being interest in that because it’s not just a drunk guy, it’s 'Oh, Harry Potter’s getting drunk in the bar.’”

Recognizing that his relationship with alcohol was harmful, he quit drinking in 2010. Since then, Radcliffe has maintained his sobriety, managing the pressures of stardom without the crutch of alcohol. His honesty about his struggles is encouraging for those facing similar battles. Speaking about his sobriety journey, Radcliffe stated, "I'm happier, more productive, and I feel like I'm able to appreciate life more." 

Demi Lovato

Our next star is the multi-talented Demi Lovato, who has been openly battling substance abuse and mental health issues. Lovato took a leap of faith and chose to live a sober life in 2010 after a near-fatal overdose.

Lovato remains committed to sobriety in spite of some bumps along the road. "What I've learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It's something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet," Lovato said in the documentary, "Dancing with the Devil." 

Tim Allen

Comedian and actor Tim Allen has had a rollercoaster ride with alcoholism, leading to a DUI arrest in 1997. However, this was the wake-up call he needed, and he's been sober for over two decades now.

"The biggest change for me was that I didn't have to lie because I was sober," Allen shared in an interview. "I don't have to hide anything anymore. It's a great, wonderful feeling." Allen's transformation is proof that it's never too late to make a positive change.

Chrissy Teigen

Model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen also chose the path to sobriety. She's been open about her struggles with alcohol, and how motherhood helped her make the decision to quit.

As she told Cosmopolitan in 2017, "I was, point blank, just drinking too much. I got used to being in hair and makeup and having a glass of wine. Then that glass of wine would carry over into me having one before the awards show. And then a bunch at the awards show … I have no idea what I’m doing honestly, but I do know a few things: I now have endless energy, way less anxiety (no more benzos!) and I am happier and more present than ever. It’s pretty cool."

Final Thoughts

Each of these celebrities has shown the courage to confront their issues with alcohol and the determination to overcome them. Their stories remind us that while no one is immune to the struggles of substance misuse, recovery is possible. They serve as inspiration — not just for those battling the struggles, but for all of us — to face our challenges head-on and make the decisions that serve our well-being.

In the words of Russell Brand, “You need only allow gentle hope to enter your heart. Exhale and allow hope, and give yourself some time. This is a process of change that requires a good deal of self-compassion, which is neither stagnant nor permissive. We can just start by being a little kinder to ourselves and open to the possibility that life doesn’t have to be bloody awful.”

In the end, sobriety is a personal choice — often a difficult one — but as these celebrities have shown, it can be transformative.