Alcohol consumption is often considered to be a part of socializing. However, excessive consumption of alcohol, especially in the youth, can have serious consequences such as addiction, health issues, and relationship problems. Several young people have seen the importance of quitting alcohol before it gets out of control, celebrities not an exception. Here we look at some of the famous people who quit drinking before they turned 30.
I don’t drink these days. I am allergic to alcohol and narcotics. I break out in handcuffs.
Robert Downey Jr.
1. Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper is an American actor, producer, and director. Despite being a successful actor, at a younger age, Cooper struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Before Cooper turned 30, he made the decision to quit drinking and generate a positive impact on his life. In interviews, Cooper has mentioned how he developed his acting abilities and regained his focus after quitting alcohol.
“I remember being at the dinner thinking I was so funny, and I thought these two guys who were my heroes thought that I was so funny. I was like ‘I thought it was great. I thought I was killing.”
“Will Arnett was like, ‘You were a real (expletive), man. You were a real (expletive).”
“That was the first time I ever realized I had a problem with drugs and alcohol. The guy that I think is doing mean humor is telling me the truth and it changed my entire life.”
2. Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe, famously known as Harry Potter, struggled with alcohol addiction as a child star. Still, he did not let this addiction control his life. In 2010, Radcliffe made the decision to give up alcohol to live a healthier lifestyle. Radcliffe has mentioned in multiple interviews how he did not rely on alcohol to feel confident anymore.
3. Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran, a successful singer-songwriter, has always been open about his struggles with addiction. Sheeran was particularly drawn towards alcohol and says he has always been a drinker. He claims he would drink 10 pints at the same time. He would do pub crawls in the countries he’s touring.
The image of the drinking Rock star kept him from ever abstaining. “I love red wine, and I love beer. I don’t know any old rockers that aren’t alcoholics or sober, and I didn’t want to be either,” he said in an interview. However, before turning 30, Sheeran decided to quit alcohol completely. According to Sheeran, he made this decision for his wife and child.
4. Eminem
Eminem, a successful rapper, is known for his difficult childhood experiences. In his younger years, Eminem struggled with drugs and alcohol addiction. When he got famous, he turned to the bottle to help deal with his anxiety. He stated: “I used alcohol as a crutch to deal with stage anxiety”
When he turned 30, though, Eminem realized he needed to change his lifestyle for the sake of his career and family. Eminem got sober and has maintained a sober lifestyle, with alcohol and drugs completely out of his life.
5. Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson, a famous actor, struggled with depression and addiction before his thirtieth birthday. He is known for having Asperger Syndrome – a high functioning type of Autism. He has struggled a lot with mental health issues, and after a high-profile break-up with Hollywood star Kate Hudson, he tried to take his own life.
Since then, Wilson made the decision to quit alcohol and turned his life around in a new positive direction. Since then, Wilson has maintained a sober lifestyle and produced several successful movies without any substance abuse.
6. Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey, a famous singer and songwriter, struggled with alcohol addiction in her younger years. She knew that she had to get rid of alcohol and other substances if she wanted to create good music and stay true to her art. Since quitting alcohol, Del Rey has released several hit songs and maintained a stable and successful music career.
“When I write about the thing that I’ve lost I feel like I’m writing about alcohol because that was the first love of my life,” she stated. “Sure, there have been people, but it’s really alcohol.” “I knew it was a problem when I liked it more than I liked doing anything else.”
7. Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. is an American actor famously known for playing Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. In his earlier years, Downey Jr. battled with addiction issues involving drugs and alcohol. However, he achieved sobriety when in his 30s and has since maintained a healthy lifestyle. Downey Jr. has been open about his struggles with addiction and promotes the importance of seeking help in improving wellbeing.
Doing drugs at a very young age as a way of bonding with his father, things spiralled out of control really fast. He remembers: “[T]here was always a lot of pot and coke around… When my dad and I would do drugs together, it was like him trying to express his love for me in the only way he knew how.” He wasn’t unaware of the risks and negatives, calling it: “It’s like I have a shotgun in my mouth and I’ve got my finger on the trigger, and I like the taste of gunmetal.”
