“Sex, drugs and rock and roll.” We have all heard this saying before. The three things are synonymous with each other. The rock and roll lifestyle promotes excess and recklessness. So it should come as no surprise that drug addiction and alcoholism is a pretty serious issue amongst these elite musicians. Here are 8 great musicians who are currently in recovery from drugs and alcohol.
Elton John
This piano legend has struggled with his share of drugs over his career. He has sold out hundreds of arenas and stayed relevant for decades. The second half of his career he started struggling with cocaine, alcohol and other substances. Thankfully he is clean today. Rumor in the rooms states that he is a member of 12 step groups and is Eminem’s sponsor.
Eminem aka Marshall Mathers
Hands down one of the most talented and most successful rappers of all time. Eminem has been quite public about his addiction. With albums like Recovery and Relapse, he has told his story to his fan base many times. He started as a casual user, but what he occasionally did for fun eventually took over his life. His drugs of choice were Xanax and Vicodin, his battle lasted multiple years. He is currently clean and sober and continues to voice his opinion about the nation’s war on drugs and the government’s outrageous costly drug programs.
Lana Del Rey
Lana has had such a quick rise to fame. She blew up after her hauntingly soulful song “Video Games” blew up on YouTube. Currently one of the number one musicians in the world, she used to have a serious issue drinking and using drugs. She entered her first rehab at just 14 years old. Lana is now sober and making some of the coolest smoothest music of the 2000’s.
Keith Richards
The fact that Keith Richards is alive is nothing short of a miracle. Keith Richards shot heroin and cocaine like it was his job, he used for decades and used in massive quantities. He makes Charlie Sheen look like a 3rd-grade school girl. Thankfully he is now clean. Maybe even more amazing is that he is still touring and still rocking out today.
Slash
The Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist is no stranger to addiction. In recent years, Slash has been open about his addiction to heroin. He has shared how it has affected his personal and private life and how he lives in recovery. He’s told how it began to consume his every thought and action. Currently, Slash is clean and sober. He gives a lot of credit to his wife, sons and other sober musicians as his greatest forms of inspiration.
Anthony Keidis
One of the most popular books about addiction and recovery is “Scar Tissue.” It is about Anthony’s struggle with heroin addiction and childhood trauma. The Red Hot Chili Peppers front man was in and out of treatment centers. 10+ years of heroin addiction took it’s toll of Keidis but thankfully he is now clean, sober and still a rock god.
Eric Clapton
Clapton struggled with various addictions throughout his multi-decade spanning career. His cover of the hit song “Cocaine” was fueled by a strong addiction to the white powder. He was also abusing heroin and alcohol for multiple decades. Clapton struggled with his addiction. “The thing about that kind of addiction that’s pretty funny, on reflection, is that I always thought, ‘I’m handling this. I can handle it. I can stop anytime. I just don’t want to stop right now.” With over 20 years sober he continues to be an active member in recovery, he owns and runs several treatment centers and halfway houses.
Stevie Nicks
A legend amongst legends. Stevie Nicks is one of the most successful rock stars of all time, she has had one hell of a journey. After beating her addiction to cocaine in the ’80s, Stevie got hooked on the prescription drug Klonopin. Her addiction was well known and widely covered. She kicked that habit in the mid-’90s and has been sober ever since. Not even a landslide can bring her down now.
Are You or a Loved One Struggling?
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction now is the time to get help. At First Steps Recovery, we never give up on residents, we offer up individualized care plans designed around the specific needs of each individual. Addiction and alcoholism cause too much pain and heartbreak in our country, help stop the pain today. Please call us today if you or a loved one are struggling, 1-844-BIG-STEP (1-844-489-0836).
