Actor Bradley Cooper, who first burst on the A-list scene in 2005 for his role in Wedding Crashers has opened up about his past history of addiction and substance abuse. Sober for eight years, Cooper discussed his life before addiction in a September issue of The Hollywood Reporter.
“Part of me believed it, and part of me didn’t. But the proof was in the pudding: I’d always gotten up at the crack of dawn, and that was out the window. I remember looking at my life, my apartment, my dogs, and I thought, ‘What’s happening?’ ” Cooper told the magazine.
Despite the warning of friends, it took Cooper years to recognize what was happening.
“Wow, I’m actually going to ruin my life; I’m really gonna ruin it,” Cooper told the magazine about the moment he realized he had a problem. At 29, after years of drug and alcohol abuse, Bradley Cooper was afraid for his life and ashamed of what he had become. Mired in a cycle of substance abuse and addiction that was literally destroying his body, Cooper tells a story of how he bashed his head while partying to show how tough he was.
“I was at a party and deliberately bashed my head on the concrete floor — like, ‘Hey, look how tough I am!’ And I came up, and blood dripped down,” Cooper told the magazine. It was then that Cooper made a decision that would change his life and his career — he would give it all up.
After overcoming substance abuse and addiction, Cooper saw his career take off. Since 2005, the actor has starred in a number of A-list movies, including The Hangover, The A-Team, Limitless and the recently released Hit and Run. His sobriety has given him a chance at a new career.
Substance abuse and addiction are common in Hollywood where many celebrities are unable to cope with the stress and anxiety of being in the limelight. Other celebrities that have checked into rehab for substance abuse and addiction or mental illness include Leann Rimes, Lindsey Lohan, and Matthew Perry.
Fortunately, many celebrities have found help in rehab and have restarted their lives and careers. Some, like Bradley Cooper, are not only able to recover from substance abuse and addiction, but were also able to jump-start their careers and achieve success. Others are very open and vocal about their problems, helping to inspire others to seek recovery from addiction.
Substance abuse and addiction don’t discriminate based on gender or careers, these diseases affect everyone from celebrities to stay-at-home moms. It can be hard to admit you have a problem, but it’s the first step in reclaiming your life and putting yourself on a path to long-term happiness and prosperity.
If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness, substance abuse and addiction, please call us today. Destination Hope is a full-service drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida for men and women suffering from substance abuse issues.
