Sober Celebrities

[neenathurman]

Hi Friends!

I am new to this site, but I am on day two of recovery, which has felt awesome. My stomach is actually digesting food and as long as I don't think about why I thought drinking was cool for too long, it hasn't been too much of a struggle.

I think one of the things that has really helped me was watching an interview with Robert Downey Jr. I had just recently seen the new Avengers Movie, and he actually offers another character a DRINK in it! I was curious about his role in the film and actually a little charmed by his charismatic ways on the screen.

Granted, I have not bought a magazine because I thought the guy on the cover was attractive since I was in high school, and it was probably Kurt Cobain (sheesh, funny how that works). But after watching Ironman and realizing how his character in the comic books struggled with alcohol, I couldn't help but let myself be inspired and enjoy a little celebrity crush.

It is great to see someone who really fell apart, rise to such a healthy place, and he's rather cute-- when he's sober. Looking at pictures of him drunk and drugged vs. now really made me realize, how puffy and tired and bloated I look after a week of too much drinking.

I realized that a lot of actors, artists and musicians have struggled and recovered from alcohol addiction.

I was wondering if any of you other gals, have found inspiration from celebs, male or female who have been able to abstain from drugs and alcohol or other addictions (:

BTW. I bought the latest esquire, with his photo on the cover, I am debating whether to hang it on my wall.

I can't remember the last time, I felt like it was okay, to be playful like this. It is silly, but I don't think I had the kind of care free joy, I am feeling right now, and I think it's a good thing to run with it (:

Sincerely,

Neena Thurman

[Anna]

Meredith Baxter
Stevie Nicks
Mary Tyler-Young
Ali McGraw
Ann-Margaret
Jamie Lee Curtis
Drew Barrymore
Lynda Carter
Betty Ford

[neenathurman]

Super dig your list anna! I didn't know that half of these people were in recovery. I do agree with Dee about finding inspiration right here.

I have had a great time learning from people on this site, I am glad to hear so many people are thriving and not just surviving.

I guess, the whole RDJ thing really sparked something for me, since, I couldn't imagine living his life and then having people say: yeah you can be in this film, but you have to pretend to be DRINKING ALOT.

Which leads me to think, it is pretty amazing how many people I have read that act, who decide to be in films where they pretend to drink alcohol or pretend to get drunk in movies, yet abstain. Triggering much?!

I also wonder if folks who are in movies, ever stop and think, hmmm, does my character really need to be drinking right now? What does this promote to audiences?

I think I really believed that drinking was where all the crazy fun happened. I watched a lot of movies where people were punk rockers or alterna-kids, it's weird, I really internalized that, and then mimicked it for waaay too long.

Originally Posted by Anna

Meredith Baxter
Stevie Nicks
Mary Tyler-Young
Ali McGraw
Ann-Margaret
Jamie Lee Curtis
Drew Barrymore
Lynda Carter
Betty Ford

[EternalQ]

Welcome to S R, Neena!

I find sober musicians inspiring, as they are so surrounded by substance abuse, and the image of a musician tends to be one of hard livin, etc. They had to have thought their sobriety wouldnt mesh with their career image, but they did it...

I think of musicians in recovery like:

Steven Tyler
Elton John
Eric Clapton
Eminem
Ozzy Osbourne
Keith Urban

And I find some inspiration in their openness about recovery, and with some, their relapses.

But my favorite recovering celebrity, who actually did inspire me, especially in the first month of sobriety when I couldnt sleep, is late night show host, Craig Ferguson.

He is so funny, and self deprecating, and successful, and 15 years sober!

[sable1]

I have a little bit of a celebrity crush on Craig Ferguson. He has talked publicly about being a recovering alcoholic and he has been sober for many years now, so he is an inspiration for me as well=)

A female inspiration would be actress Kristin Davis. I know that she has said she was a teenage alcoholic and became sober at 22. She has been sober for many years now and that is always a big inspiration.

I agree that it's interesting with actors who play drunk in movies and who somehow promotes drinking in movies. I would feel weird about that,, but I imagine the thought would be something like: is it important for the story? does it say something important about the character or is it just there for no reason?

[Jeans]

My most recent inspiration is Steve-O from Jack Ass. I watched a documentary that he made on his addiction and his recovery and I felt I could relate to him so much. He is truly amazing to get to where he is now.

[BoozeFree]

Nikki Sixx the bass player of Motley Crüe and SixxAM has been a big inspiration to me. His books he wrote about his struggle and overcoming it are really good, and I happen to be a big Crüe fan.

[Payton]

Edie Falco - I love her.

[shockozulu]

Originally Posted by Jeans

My most recent inspiration is Steve-O from Jack Ass. I watched a documentary that he made on his addiction and his recovery and I felt I could relate to him so much. He is truly amazing to get to where he is now.

Although I didn't know him from Adam until Jackass 3-D came out the interviews I've seen with Steve-O have really inspired me. He's one of those that I see in an interview and I get something from his message the same as if we were sitting in the same room during a meeting.

Originally Posted by EternalQ

Welcome to S R, Neena!

I find sober musicians inspiring, as they are so surrounded by substance abuse, and the image of a musician tends to be one of hard livin, etc. They had to have thought their sobriety wouldnt mesh with their career image, but they did it...

I think of musicians in recovery like:

Steven Tyler
Elton John
Eric Clapton
Eminem
Ozzy Osbourne
Keith Urban

And I find some inspiration in their openness about recovery, and with some, their relapses.

But my favorite recovering celebrity, who actually did inspire me, especially in the first month of sobriety when I couldnt sleep, is late night show host, Craig Ferguson.

He is so funny, and self deprecating, and successful, and 15 years sober!

Yeap, pretty much anyone on the MusiCares short list.

Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode is on the top of my faves, followed by Elton,Red Hot Chili Peppers and Eminem.

I listen to Eminem's album Recovery and think "I remember feeling that way". I listen to Gahan and think "I want to be there when I have 17 years."

[Orbea]

Jane Velez Mitchell on The CNN network.

[kittycat3]

Kelly Preston
Amanda De Cadenet (sp?)
Mary J Blige