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7 Celebrities Who Continue to Inspire Us in Recovery

Eminem

Marshall Mathers – known in infamy by his stage name, Eminem – has had a long battle with drug addiction. His snarky, biting lyrics and brilliant live performances endeared him to his audience, even while he was in the throes of addiction to multiple prescription pills. In 2013, he opened up about his addiction, including a near-fatal overdose and how he eventually got help for addiction. This year, Em celebrated 10 years of sobriety, sharing a photo of his chip with fans on Instagram.

Kelly Osbourne

When the world met Kelly, she was a hilarious loudmouthed teenager on MTV’s hit reality show, The Osbournes. Having such a public persona, her fans got to witness her descent into drug addiction at a young age. Kelly has spoken candidly about her own struggles, including her recent relapse. “Every day I fight to stay clean,” she says. Most recently she has expressed support of her friend and fellow former child star, Demi Lovato, who had her own dangerous slip over the summer. Her candor and her support for other addicts is heartening.

Macklemore

Rapper Ben Haggerty, known worldwide as Macklemore, has always been up-front about his past drug addiction. He began drinking and using drugs in high school, telling Seattle’s KEXP, “I never had moderation.” His story of recovery is especially relevant with the death of his friend and fellow rapper Mac Miller, who overdosed in September. He implores his fans to seek help from recovery programs, stressing the value of community in the recovery process. Macklemore credits his sobriety to his family and states that having gotten help for addiction and continuing to work his program helps keep him clean after ten years.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis comes from a legendary Hollywood family. Her father was actor Tony Curtis, whom she has said was an addict himself. Her own addiction started in a way that many can relate to. In 1989, after surgery, she was prescribed opiates for pain and became addicted. What’s amazing is that for ten years she was able to hide her addiction, even while she was stealing pills from people around her. Jamile Lee Curtis celebrates twenty years of addiction recovery this year, and still attends meetings as a way to continue to be of service to other addicts in recovery programs.

Robert Downey Jr

The fact that Robert Downey Jr is thriving in life is a testament to recovery. Always a prolific actor, he had great success in the 80s and 90s. Having started using as a child, his life had completely spiraled by the early 2000s. To say that his career was in jeopardy would be an egregious understatement. After a series of arrests for possession, trespass, DUI, firearms violations, and bizarre public behavior, Downey Jr was looking at doing serious time. He all but disappeared from public life for several years, throwing himself into his addiction recovery. In time, he was able to recapture his once-hot career. With the overwhelming success of films like the Iron Man franchise, he is now one of the most highly paid and sought-after actors in the world.

Kat Von D

Tattoo artist, television personality, and makeup mogul Kat Von D recently celebrated eleven years sober. She began drinking heavily after the dissolution of her marriage to Oliver Peck. He has maintained that she has resorted to dangerous methods of weight loss in the past, as well. She sought recovery when she realized that her substance abuse was threatening her work as an artist. “I was addicted to dysfunction,” she told The Fix in 2016.

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper has opened up about his struggle with alcoholism following the success of his directorial debut film, A Star is Born. His performance as a musician in a dark place draws on his own life experiences. As a director, he insisted the cast’s performances be authentic. He and other actors each took a deep dive into their own pasts. He has been sober going on fifteen years, and his willingness and ability to throw himself into such a heavy and vulnerable portrayal is quite moving.

Get Sober Today at Riviera Recovery

At Riviera Recovery we have been deeply dedicated to the sobriety of the members of our community since our opening in 2007. We offer a variety of services in the Los Angeles area. If you or someone you know is in need of help with substance abuse recovery, please contact Riviera Recovery at 1-866-478-8799. We can help you regardless of whether you are actively using or already sober.
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A Local Guide to Recovery in Los Angeles

Dealing with addiction to drugs or alcohol is something that many people deal with on a daily basis. In fact, it has been estimated that as many as one in seven people will become addicted to drugs or alcohol at some point in their lives. While this can be a very hard thing to deal with no matter where you live, it can be even more challenging in a city such as Los Angeles where there is far more activity and temptation than other areas of the country. For someone that is new to the Los Angeles area and wants to live a sober lifestyle free of their addictions, there are a variety of tips that should be followed.

Seek Structure in a Sober Living Home

If you are newly sober and are looking for a place to live in the Los Angeles area, finding a sober living home is a great option. When you find a sober home in LA, you can receive all of the support that you need to stay focused on your sobriety and to avoid using drugs and alcohol. A sober living on in the Los Angeles area, such as Riviera Recovery, can provide you with great addiction support in Los Angeles. The home will allow you to live with other people that have similar goals and receive the support you need to form healthy habits and do activities that will help you to avoid using drugs or alcohol again.

Find Local Support Groups & Meetings

When looking for help with addiction recovery Los Angeles residents should also make sure that they join local support groups. The most important thing that you need to do when you are new to Los Angeles is to make sure that you have access to the support group that you need. There are a variety of recovery programs in Los Angeles, such as Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and Refuge Recovery, that are designed to help anyone feel part of a community and to have someone to talk to. This will prove to be a very valuable part of any recovery. You can find any of these recovery groups by doing a quick search online. Joining these groups will go a long way towards your continued Los Angeles recovery from addiction.

Establish Your Network Using Apps & Social Media

Meeting people has never been easier through the use of social media. While many people use Facebook and other social media sites to stay connected to friends and family, it can also be a great guide to find new types of support. Today, there are plenty of groups on social media that are dedicated to helping sober people connect with each other. When you get onto your social media page, you should do a search for Los Angeles specific groups. There are also a variety of different apps, such as SoberGrid and Loosid, which are designed to help you to find more localized groups of people looking to build a social and sober network.

Find Sober Activities in the Los Angeles Area

When you are looking to live a sober life in the Los Angeles area, finding ways to stay occupied and be productive with your time is very important. One of the best ways to do this today is through sober activities in Los Angeles. There are many different activities that you can do that have a social and sober focus. This can include spending time hiking, going to the beach, surfing, or even enjoying a day at a local theme park. There are also a variety of sober restaurants in the area and other sober parties, which could be used to meet new people while also having a fun and sober evening.

If a Relapse Occurs, Find Help ASAP

While you can do your best to stay clean, relapses do happen at times. If you make the mistake of relapsing, it is important that you find help ASAP. The last thing that you will want to do is dwell on your bad decision and continue to use. Instead, you should take advantage of all the Los Angeles recovery and treatment options at your disposal. You should first reach out to your sponsor or support group and then use Google to find more information. You should also call your insurance company to see what kind of assistance can be provided to you.

Find & Keep Your Recovery in Los Angeles

If you are in the Los Angeles area and are dealing with addiction, you should contact us at Riviera Recovery today. We can provide a variety of services to you that can help you get and remain sober, which will allow you to live a happy, clean, and healthy life in the Los Angeles area.
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What are the Benefits of Living in a Sober Living Home?

Many people enter sober living homes, or “halfway houses,” after completing addiction treatment. But, what are sober living homes and what role do they play in addiction recovery?

What Are Sober Living Homes?

A serious obstacle to sustained sobriety is lack of a stable, drug-free living environment. A destructive living environment can derail anyone attempting to abstain from drug and alcohol use—it can even derail individuals who are highly motivated to maintain their sobriety. Sober living homes are residential homes that offer drug and alcohol-free environments where people in recovery can live before returning to their homes and responsibilities. In these homes, peers in recovery encourage and support each other as everyone becomes used to navigating the world sober. Individuals in recovery typically enter one of these facilities after completing an addiction treatment program or intensive outpatient program

Benefits of Sober Living Home

After completing treatment at an addiction recovery center, some may be at a loss as to what the next step on their journey to recovery should be. For many of those who struggle with substance abuse, the benefits of a period of time at a sober living facility are innumerable. A sober living facility can support a person during the essential transitional period that occurs between a structured rehab program and their return to their day-to-day lives. While the demands and responsibilities of one’s family and career are certain priorities, it is important to remember that it is essential to maintain recovery in order to achieve every other goal. A period of time at a sober living facility can provide clients with the tools they need to sustain their recovery after leaving a substance abuse treatment clinic.

Invaluable Support of Peers

Any client who has completed addiction treatment knows that one’s peers can be an invaluable system of support during recovery. One of the primary benefits of spending time in a sober living facility after graduation from an addiction recovery program is that the client continues to benefit from the support of peers who are facing similar challenges. Knowing that someone who understands your struggle is close at hand and undergoing their own journey to recovery can prove to be an essential component in retaining recovery. At a sober living facility, clients know that others who are also working to overcome addiction are always close at hand to provide their support.

Group Therapy Sessions

Upon graduation from an intensive inpatient or outpatient program at an addiction recovery clinic, a client is often presented with a plan for aftercare treatment. Frequently, this aftercare treatment plan will include an ongoing group therapy component. Group therapy is an invaluable support tool that allows people who are struggling with addiction to share their stories, wisdom, and triumph.  Clients at a sober living facility are able to take advantage of regular group sessions that take place on-site. These convenient and consistent group sessions can help an individual transition from the more rigid treatment schedule of the drug rehab center and adjust to attending group sessions while also taking part in activities and responsibilities off-site.

Can a Sober Living Homes Prevent Relapse?

For individuals who struggle with substance abuse, the first year of recovery can be the most challenging, with statistics indicating that up to three out of four people who enter recovery will relapse within the first year. Spending time in a sober living facility can help avoid this unfortunate eventuality in a number of ways. By providing an environment where illicit substances and alcohol are not permitted, the client can be assured that they can avoid temptation. Furthermore, a halfway home can provide a community of people in recovery who can help the client keep their recovery goals in mind as they navigate this sometimes difficult but completely essential transitional period in their personal recovery journey. The support that can be found at a sober living home can prove to be a key component in a client’s recovery journey.

Life After a Drug Rehab Center

You have a lot to be proud of when you’ve completed addiction treatment at a drug rehab center. However, it is important that a client does everything necessary to sustain recovery after leaving formal, structured treatment. The sober living homes at Riviera Recovery can offer you all the tools needed in order to overcome substance abuse once and for all.
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Letting Go Of Shame In Recovery

Shame is the feeling that there’s something inherently wrong with you, that at your core you are just not good enough. It’s a powerful emotion that is common amongst people who struggle with addiction – it may even be the reason they turned to drugs and alcohol in the first place. But it’s also the reason that many don’t seek help. When shame becomes part of your identity, you see the world through a self-defeating lens that tells you that you are not worthy of recovery. But what happens when you let go of those beliefs? Releasing shame paves the way to self-acceptance and makes recovery from your addiction possible. So, how can you overcome shame?
  • Acknowledge your past. Own your mistakes and learn from them rather than letting them define who you are. Those events have shaped who you are today, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to shape who you become. Release shame by talking about your mistakes – sharing them with others can be as tremendously cathartic!
  • Look beyond your label. You are not just an “addict” or an “alcoholic.” You are more than your problem. Make a list of everything you are – daughter, son, friend, student, artist, writer, athlete – and step into those identities instead.
  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Bring awareness and acceptance to areas in which you struggle. Don’t shame your shortcomings! These are areas for improvement. Reframe your problem areas and opportunities to grow into the person you want to become and look at positive aspects that they add to your life.
  • Practice forgiveness. Don’t judge yourself for mistakes you’ve made. When you were in the throes of addiction, you weren’t yourself! Actions you may have taken were the result of the disease and were beyond your control. Remember that it’s never too late to make a change for the better. You’re on a path of recovery now, and that’s all that matters.
  • Be aware of shame-based thinking. Focusing on your past failures just emphasizes that you are “defective.” If your thoughts are riddled with judgment, it’s important to practice self-acceptance. Self-directed insults can do long-term damage. Stop telling yourself you’re weak, unwanted, bad, dirty, or worthless. Try instead telling yourself you are strong, loved, and worthy. Don’t believe everything you think! Observe your thoughts and let them go rather than internalizing them. Replace negative thoughts with more accurate ones. Look for evidence that your thoughts aren’t true.
  • Practice empathy. Give help when able. Forgive others. Maybe you’ll learn to do the same thing for yourself!
  • Create opportunities from your setbacks. If you have a slip-up, don’t label it a failure. Think of it as an ideal opportunity to learn how to do better in the future. Ask for help if you need it. Accept the challenge of a setback to become stronger and more resilient in your recovery.
  • Affirm yourself. Say positive and encouraging things to yourself that lift you up rather than drag you down. It may feel like you’re faking it ’til you make it, but the more you tell yourself you deserve recovery, the more you will believe it.
  • Build self-esteem. The more you value yourself, the less likely you’ll be to beat yourself up over little things.
  • Try mindfulness. Gain control over what is occurring in your head and learn to simply watch your thoughts and let them go.
Shame in early recovery can present a dilemma. As you make moves towards sobriety, the weight of responsibility for past mistakes can feel overwhelming. Taking responsibility for your actions is an important step in recovery, but when guilt and shame move into self-blame, you might feel paralyzed and incapable of moving forward. It’s important to confront feelings of shame head-on, to deconstruct them and understand from whence they came to prevent relapse in the future. Don’t let shame be the roadblock to your recovery. When it isn’t the driving force behind your actions, you can go places you’ve never imagined.
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Is A Recovery Coach Right For You?

Rehab can be rough, but what happens when you leave? Your return to everyday life can be filled with familiar triggers and stressors that might be overwhelming. The first ninety days out of treatment have proven to be the most challenging for recovering addicts. So why not hire some extra help to keep you on track? Recovery coaches provide support for those trying to overcome destructive behaviors. They help clients navigate the tricky path of early sobriety and provide a bridge between the safe world of treatment to the real world. Similar to a “life coach,” a recovery coach helps clients make smart decisions to better their life and avoid engaging in addiction. Recovery coaches provide accountability and support on a daily basis to help clients establish healthy habits to reinforce a recovered lifestyle. They’ll also help you reconnect with your local community, find resources to bolster sobriety, encourage ways to get active, and build a strong support system. Just like a personal trainer, a recovery coach will help you develop an individual program of recovery that is uniquely suited to you. Your coach will help you figure out what steps you need to take to achieve the future you want, incorporating the tools you’ve learned in treatment into your daily life. They help with non-clinical issues like housing, finances, employment, hobbies, and relationships.  Recovery coaches teach you how to create healthy boundaries, how to improve communications, and how to take care of your own needs.. Your recovery coach is there to offer encouragement, guidance, and support as you navigate sobriety. Think of your coach as your own personal cheerleader! They’ll help you carve out your own niche in the recovery world and encourage you to find fulfilling activities and relationships that are healing.  They won’t do the work for you, but they’re there to make sure you do the work for yourself. A recovery coach can be your biggest advocate and greatest asset in early recovery. They’ll do more than just help you stay sober – they’ll help you learn to thrive! A recovery coach is an adjunct to traditional treatment, not instead of. Remember, recovery coaches are not therapists – they don’t provide clinical help. It’s important to keep seeing a therapist to address the underlying issues of your addiction while working with a coach on practical ways to avoid relapse. Unlike a therapist, your coach is available to you 24/7. If you feel like you might use at 2 o’clock in the morning, your coach will be there to help you cope. A recovery coach is also not an AA sponsor. Sponsors are volunteers in recovery who support you through the 12 step program. Their work with you is mutually beneficial, as helping you out helps reinforces the lessons they’ve learned on their own recovery journey. A recovery coach is a trained professional who works for you. Their first and only priority is helping you adjust to your new life. How can you find a recovery coach? Ask your treatment center. Chances are, they can recommend a good coach with whom they have previous experience. There are also numerous online resources for finding a coach, including professional services that specialize in coaching. Compatibility is of the utmost importance when selecting a recovery coach. Look for someone who “gets” you. Your recovery coach is going to be intimately involved in your life and it’s important to pick someone you click with. Recovery coaches aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. They’ll work with you on a daily basis to address problems as they arise and help you to make strong choices moving forward. They’ll help you change addictive behaviors, develop strategies to continue abstinence, and make practical changes to your life. Your coach will help you develop crucial life skills like managing finances, coping with stress, improving communication with friends and family, and holding down a job. They’ll help you uncover what your passions in life are and help you find ways to pursue meaningful goals. A recovery coach may be the best insurance you can have in avoiding relapse and creating long-lasting abstinence.