Child Stars Who Struggled With Addiction
Pressures of Growing up as a Childhood Star
Former child stars are some of the most at-risk groups for developing mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders. The industry can be particularly stressful, lonely, and unpredictable, which can be difficult for anyone, but especially a young, undeveloped brain that negative stressors can mold. Like any other person, former child stars can quickly turn to drug or alcohol abuse to cope with negative emotions and struggles.
Some child stars who suffered from addiction include:
Jodie Sweetin – former star of the sitcom Full House as a child, Sweetin started experimenting with drugs and alcohol out of boredom, which left her with a meth addiction. She has been sober for over 14 years through the help of a rehab program.
Natasha Lyonne – as a child, she landed several film appearances. However, she later struggled with alcohol addiction and heroin addiction. Lyonne admitted herself to a drug addiction treatment program and has been sober since 2006.
Todd Bridges – child actor from different roles, but most famously Diff’rent Strokes, Bridges struggled as a crack cocaine addict and meth addiction which led to legal issues. He is sober these days.
Demi Lovato – this famous singer and musician, started her acting career on the Disney Channel. Lovato has been very open about her heroin addiction and crack cocaine addiction, as well as suffering an overdose with drugs laced with fentanyl. She has entered drug addiction treatment several times, a testament to the long-term management drug and alcohol addiction requires.
Aaron Carter – most famously a child singer, he also had some acting parts on the Disney Channel. He battled with an opioid addiction and also huffing addiction.
Corey Feldman – famous for his roles as a child in the Goonies and other productions, Feldman struggled with heroin addiction as a way to cope with childhood abuse. However, he is also in recovery.
Edward Furlong – this former child actor found fame in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Furlong has opened up about his meth addiction and heroin addiction throughout his twenties and thirties, which led to a couple of overdoses. He has now been sober for four years.
Amanda Bynes – her struggle with drug addiction, namely Adderall and alcohol, caused repeated run-ins with the law with DUI-related incidents. She has checked into several drug rehab treatments as she continues to work on her recovery.
Macaulay Culkin – Culkin has been candid during interviews about dangerously playing with fire regarding drug abuse. He says he made it through the darkest days without having to check into a rehab program.
Corey Haim – The Lost Boys actor struggled with substance abuse for most of his life and was already drinking in his early teens. He was a self-confessed “chronic relapse” who sadly passed away at age 38.
Lindsay Lohan – the Mean Girls star struggled with alcohol addiction and cocaine addiction for many years and went through several court-mandated drug rehab programs before she found recovery.
Drew Barrymore – as a child actor, she became a cocaine addict at just the age of 13. She got drug addiction treatment as a teenager, but it took her many years to find proper addiction recovery.
Addiction Recovery at Novo Detox in Los Angeles
Substance abuse and addiction can affect anyone and usually accompany mental health disorders. The good news is that there is help available for any form of addiction to drugs and alcohol. At Novo Detox in Los Angeles, our comprehensive addiction treatment programs help address drug and alcohol addiction and co-occurring disorders through our dual diagnosis program. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, our addiction specialists are ready to answer your questions about addiction treatments. Contact us at (844) 834-1777 today.
