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Unfortunately, drug addiction is a serious issue that impacts hundreds of thousands of people each year. Even celebrities aren’t immune to this struggle – in fact, abundant access often makes it far easier for them to become addicted.
If you’re interested in learning more about some of the most famous celebrities who were drug addicts, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about stars who have battled with addiction over the years.
1. Drew Barrymore

First on our list of celebrities who were drug addicts is Drew Barrymore. Iconic American actress, television host, and producer struggled with addiction from a young age. She developed a drinking problem at the age of 11 and became addicted to cocaine at 12, eventually becoming clean in 2020 after a 2016 relapse.
2. Eric Clapton

Singer Eric Clapton had an extensive history of alcohol and drug abuse, even chronicling his journey in his memoir. Clapton became addicted to heroin, alcohol, and cocaine, using it throughout the 70s until he finally entered rehab for his problem in 1982.
Related: The 18 Greatest Guitar Players of All Time
3. Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan is a singer, actress, and songwriter who shot to stardom in movies like The Parent Trap and Mean Girls and became a model for Ford Models at age three. Lohan famously abused substances in the past, including cocaine, prescription drugs, and amphetamines, making her one of the many celebrities who were drug addicts.
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4. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has had a nearly lifelong struggle with addiction to drugs, but she became seriously attached to cocaine and heroin after a relapse in 2018. Lovato overdosed in 2018 after taking drugs with trace amounts of fentanyl and nearly passed away from heart-related conditions caused by the drugs.
Related: Demi Lovato’s Net Worth
5. Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie is an iconic fashion designer and personality on American television. The star experimented with drugs in her teenage years, which later opened the gate to cocaine addiction, alcoholism, and heroin abuse – all accompanied by insane levels of partying and money spending.
6. Tim Allen

Actor Tim Allen once played Santa Clause in an iconic Christmas movie – but his past isn’t as clean as his adventures. Allen was once caught with more than half a kilo of cocaine, facing life imprisonment but eventually making a deal and becoming one of the most well-known talents of our day.
7. Judy Garland

Judy Garland is next on our list of celebrity drug addicts, offering a very tragic tale. Garland became addicted to barbiturates and amphetamines by the time she was 17 years old on the set of The Wizard of Oz. Eventually, the self-overdose of the latter would lead to her death.
8. Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and A Star Is Born. Though he’s had a successful career, Cooper revealed he was once so addicted to cocaine and alcohol that it nearly took him out.
9. Ozzy Osbourne

Singer and songwriter Ozzy Osbourne’s name is almost synonymous with drug addiction. He states that most of his usage of drugs is a result of self-medication, using LSD, hash, antidepressants, and more to deal with his dyslexia and ADHD. Although he’s on this list of celebrities who were drug addicts, it’s likely Osbourne continues to use drugs for his condition to this day.
Related: 10 Best Ozzy Osbourne Songs
10. Shaun Weiss

Actor and comedian Shaun Weiss is best known for his role in the classic movie The Mighty Ducks and has been very open about his journey of battling drug addiction. He revealed he spent years dealing with a hook on cocaine and meth, totally ripping his life apart.
11. Jamie Lee Curtis

Although you might not be able to tell now, actress Jamie Lee Curtis once suffered from a battle with drugs. She became addicted to Vicodin early in her career, eventually breaking herself out of it in 1999 when she went to rehab.
12. Elton John

In the past, Elton John was addicted to cocaine and still reports it as a part of his dreams at night. The “Rocket Man” singer quit drugs and alcohol in 1990, heading to Lutheran General Hospital to become clean.
Related: 30 Best 70s Songs
13. Jack Osbourne

Next on our list of celebrity drug addicts is Jack Osbourne, media personality and son of the famous artist Ozzy Osbourne. Like his parents, Osbourne developed an addiction to Oxycontin and was eventually treated in rehab – all starting when he was only 17 years old.
14. Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe lived a dazzling life as an actress and singer, but she held a dark secret. Monroe was dependent on barbiturates, alcohol, and amphetamines – leading to various mental health disorders and even her eventual death from a barbiturate overdose.
Related: 25 Singers Who Were Drug Addicts
15. Edie Falco

American actress Edie Falco is best known for her roles in television shows like Nurse Jackie and The Sopranos. She used to be a cocaine and alcohol-dependent addict, getting sober three decades later against her will.
16. Kirsten Dunst

Though Dunst might appear worry-free, the Spider-Man actress checked herself into rehab at 27 to deal with her hook on prescription drugs. She revealed that she became addicted to the drugs after breaking up with her boyfriend, Johnny Borrell.
17. Charlie Sheen

Actor and film producer Charlie Sheen has had a less-than-ideal life compared to a typical person. For Sheen, addiction to drugs and alcohol was a norm in his life to feel good. It wasn’t until about six years ago that Sheen finally chose to get clean.
18. Anthony Kiedis

Red Hot Chili Peppers band member Anthony Kiedis dealt with an addiction to cocaine and heroin when he was young. He said that the danger appealed to him, and decided to try going sober in 1988, relapsed after a dental procedure in 1994, and finally got sober again in 2000.
Related: 15 Best 90s Songs
19. Keith Urban

Next on our list of celebrity drug addicts is Keith Urban, singer and guitarist extraordinaire. The talent has a history of huge success in the 90s, which paired with serious cocaine and heroin addiction for Urban, leading him to a rehab clinic in 1998.
Related: 17 Best Male Country Singers
20. George Harrison

Musical legend George Harrison of the Beatles was highly regarded as a musician, singer, and songwriter. Throughout his life he dealt with addiction to many drugs, including cocaine and LSD.
Related: 10 Best Early Beatles Songs
21. Ben Affleck

American actor and producer Ben Affleck has found his stride over the past couple of years, taking action in movies like Batman V. Superman and Hypnotic. Once upon a time, Affleck tried to live his life by drinking the pain away.
Related: 25 Celebrities Who Are Taller Than You Expected
22. Whitney Houston

Legendary singer and actress Whitney Houston was an incredible talent, nicknamed “the Voice” by listeners around the world. She had a long history of drug addiction, eventually leading to her accidental drowning.
Related: Whitney Houston’s Net Worth
23. Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is next on our list of celebrity drug addicts. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor has testified several times in court about his drug use, stretching from the potential use of magic mushrooms to cocaine.
24. Britney Spears

Britney Spears had her time in the sun back in the day with hits like “Oops, I Did It Again.” Since then, Spears found herself the member of much scrutiny and gave into drugs and other mental health issues. Today, she seems to be slowly working out of a mess.
Related: 17 Worst Singers of All Time
25. Robert Downey Jr.

Last on our list of celebrity drug addicts is Robert Downey Jr., actor extraordinaire. Before he became one of the most successful actors of all time, Downey Jr. was arrested for possession of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and an unloaded gun while bolting down the highway.
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