Celebrities Who Chose Sobriety and Transformed Their Lives

As Russell Brand once reflected, “We rewrite our past. We change our narrative. We reprogram ourselves… Our character is the result of this story we tell ourselves, and taking inventory breaks down the hidden, destructive personal grammar that has unknowingly shaped our behavior.”

Brand is far from alone in reshaping his story and dramatically altering alcohol’s role in it. In the glitzy world of celebrity, alcohol has often been a constant presence. Yet many stars have turned the page, choosing to live alcohol-free and champion sobriety. Here are some of those inspiring figures who said goodbye to drinking for good.

Bradley Cooper

Award-winning actor Bradley Cooper had his last drink at 29. He recognized that alcohol and substance misuse were blocking his path to success. Since becoming sober, his career has skyrocketed with acclaimed roles in Silver Linings Playbook and American Sniper, and his directorial debut, A Star Is Born, which explores addiction. Cooper calls sobriety “the best decision” he ever made.

Kristin Davis

Best known as Charlotte York in Sex and the City, Kristin Davis started misusing alcohol early to cope with shyness and social anxiety. Now celebrating over 20 years sober, she credits her successful acting career to that choice. Davis encourages others to seek help, noting, “I felt like I needed help. One thing led to another and I was drinking.” She realized she couldn’t mix acting and alcohol—it had to be one or the other.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr.’s journey is one of Hollywood’s most remarkable turnarounds. After years of legal issues and rehab due to drugs and alcohol, he chose sobriety and rebuilt his career. His role as Iron Man shot him back to superstardom. His advice? “Remember, just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.”

Eminem

Rapper Eminem has used his music to share his substance misuse struggles. A near-fatal methadone overdose in 2007 was his wake-up call. “I either get help, or I am going to die,” he said. “As a father, I want to be here.” Now over a decade sober, his album Recovery documents his journey and inspires others.

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry, beloved as Chandler Bing on Friends, battled alcohol and prescription drugs publicly. He entered rehab in 2001 and used his platform to raise awareness until his death in 2023. “You can’t have a drug problem for 30 years and then expect to have it solved in 28 days,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. His honesty helped reduce stigma around recovery.

Naomi Campbell

Supermodel Naomi Campbell also faced substance misuse. After years in the fast lane, she quit drinking, telling the Wall Street Journal, “Not so much for a dietary reason but because it was affecting my moods and my judgment.” Today, she thrives, proving that sobriety and success go hand in hand.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Actress and host Jada Pinkett Smith gave up alcohol after a moment of clarity. “I said, ‘Jada, I think we’ve got a problem here,’” she recalled on Red Table Talk after drinking two bottles of wine. She quit cold turkey and has been sober since.

Calvin Harris

DJ Calvin Harris left alcohol behind early in his career. He told the BBC, “The difference in being hungover and being sober is A to Z. I can have this intense workload now and just take it in my stride.” His choice boosted his health, creativity, and performance.

Daniel Radcliffe

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe drank to handle early fame. He quit in 2010, saying, “I’m happier, more productive, and I feel like I’m able to appreciate life more.” His openness offers hope to others.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has been vocal about substance misuse and mental health. After a near-fatal overdose, they chose sobriety in 2010. In the documentary Dancing with the Devil, Lovato shared, “This illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It’s something I must continue to overcome.”

Tim Allen

Comedian Tim Allen was arrested for DUI in 1997, a turning point. Sober for over 20 years, he says, “I didn’t have to lie because I was sober. I don’t have to hide anything anymore. It’s a great, wonderful feeling.”

Chrissy Teigen

Model Chrissy Teigen quit drinking after realizing it was too much a part of her life, especially as a mom. She told Cosmopolitan, “I have no idea what I’m doing honestly, but I do know a few things: I now have endless energy, way less anxiety, and I am happier and more present than ever.”

Final Thoughts

These celebrities demonstrate the courage to face alcohol issues and the resolve to overcome them. Their stories show that while substance misuse can affect anyone, recovery is possible. They inspire us all to tackle challenges directly and make choices that support our well-being.

As Russell Brand put it, “You need only allow gentle hope to enter your heart… 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.”

Sobriety is a personal—and often difficult—choice, but as these stars prove, it can be truly transformative.