I Love These Brave Female Celebrities Who Are Proudly Sober

Famous people are human, too.

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

I’m not a celebrity watcher; yet, when I hear of one who is no longer consuming alcohol, my ears perk up. I want to know more. Did she quit because it had become a problem?

Celebrities influence society; there is no doubt about that. We often check out their clothes, who they are dating or married to, and some want to know about their children.

Sure, it may be interesting to uncover these tidbits; however, I want to know why they got sober. Had alcohol become a concern for them? Did they consider themselves addicted? Perhaps success in their careers depended on finding sobriety?

I am focusing here on women celebrities, and this list contains several I admire:

Miley Cyrus, singer, and actress. Miley got sober when she turned 26 because of fear of joining the “27 Club” — musicians who died at that age due to substance abuse. Miley has struggled with staying on track yet has been sober since then with one relapse while isolating during Covid. 

Eva Mendes, actress. Beautiful, talented, and strong, Eva struggled with substance addiction issues and went into rehab. She hasn’t had a drink in over 20 years. “I’m proud of people who have the determination and the fearlessness to actually go and face their demons and get better.” — from a 2008 interview.

Jada Pinkett Smith, actress, singer-songwriter, and businesswoman. Jada sobered up over 14 years ago. “I had problems with alcohol, and I really had to get in contact with the pain, whatever that is, and then I had to get some other tools in how to deal with the pain. From that day on I went cold turkey.”

Melanie Griffith, actress. Melanie has struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction for decades and entered rehab several times with intermittent success. Melanie’s daughters convinced her to reenter rehab, and she has been sober since 2009. 

Edie Falco, actress. Alcoholism has been a battle for Edie, but she has been sober for 17 years. She is best known for her role in the “Sopranos,” where cast parties were frequent. She managed to make an appearance, but after a few minutes knew she had to leave “because I can’t live in that world anymore, it’s too dangerous.” 

Diana Ross, singer, actress. Ms. Ross struggled with addiction for most of her adult life and suffered from depression. Her addiction to pain pills and alcohol began following her divorce to Norwegian shipping tycoon Arne Naess in 1999. Ms. Ross was admitted to a rehab facility for drug and alcohol abuse in May of 2002. She appears to be sober today.

Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and writer. Ms. Curtis has been proudly sober for over 20 years. She had this to say about it: “Being courageous enough to acknowledge it privately with my family and friends, working really hard at solidifying it, getting support around it, and being healthy. And then talking about it publicly. That is the single greatest accomplishment of my life.”

All of these women admit that alcohol had become a problem for them personally and for some, professionally. They all dared to overcome the addiction, some very publicly. 

Celebrities can be role models, especially for our children, and their strength in overcoming their dependence is crucial to acknowledge and discuss with our youth.

Addiction is the same for famous folks as it is for non-celebrity people. After all, we are all human.

We should be proud that we have overcome our addiction and are dealing with life — in all its ups and downs, good times and bad, sober. 

Alcohol does not permanently ease our pain. It merely postpones it.

I know you have suffered greatly, as have these women, and have risen above it to live a life of joy, creativity, and zest.

If you are still debating whether to give up the drink — try it. I guarantee you will not regret the decision. Sober life is spectacular. 

It’s No Surprise Childhood Trauma May Lead to Addiction

How does our childhood affect our lives today?

Photo by Zachary Kadolph on Unsplash

My father was a hardworking man who provided for my mom, three siblings, and myself. He provided financially, period.

Seldom were words of kindness, encouragement, or affection bestowed by him.

Quite the contrary. My father was an unhappy man. When we children came along, he gave up his aspirations to be a fine artist, an oil painter.

He took his disappointment and frustrations out on my sister and me. We were one year apart and were inseparable for most of our youth.

Dad would stop off at the local tavern for a drink or two after work to ease the transition into home life. 

More times than not, he was angry at an issue that occurred at work, and sis and I were the convenient targets of his wrath.

He’d find a reason to be furious with us — a bicycle carelessly dropped on the lawn, we failed to finish raking the endless autumn leaves — always something.

His belt would come off; he ordered us to bend over and lash our backs and behinds with it.

For me, the physical pain was awful, but the humiliation of the strikes was what was heartbreaking.

Many decades have passed, dad has been dead almost 30 years, yet the memories arise from time to time.

What I withstood is minor compared to what others endured.

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Dr. Vincent Felitti, the founder of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Kaiser Permanente, dedicated his career to helping obese patients lower their health risks.

Through his work, he discovered that most overweight men and women had endured childhood abuse at the hands of caretakers — either physical, emotional, or sexual. Some suffered the loss of a parent through death or divorce, incarceration, or one suffering from addiction.

He worked to find a cure for obesity, yet his research finds that the scars run deep for children who have encountered abuse and are often numbed by alcohol, food, or drugs in adulthood.

There is secrecy and shame connected to this mistreatment. Not only do we numb ourselves because of our addictions, but this addiction leads to more shame.

Alcohol, like food, is socially acceptable and legal — and readily available, unlike drugs. Thus, alcoholism tends to be the addiction of choice for many of us.

Most of us are aware that childhood trauma led to our alcohol misuse. Understanding this can be the doorway to our sobriety. 

Childhood trauma is obviously, not the only reason men and women become addicted. There are myriad causes, but that is not this article.

The work to attain sobriety may not be easier because we understand the cause. However, understanding why we picked up a drink and continued imbibing for years or decades can assuage some shame. 

Releasing shame and forgiving everyone involved is a blessing.

"You can recognize survivors of abuse by their courage. When silence is so very inviting, they step forward and share their truth so that others know they aren’t alone. "— Jeanne McElvaney, Healing Insights: Effects of Abuse for Adults Abused as Children.

I Accepted the Plank Challenge One of Medium’s Writers Completed

Doing planks are way more than getting a strong tummy.

Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash

Is there any hope my tummy could be salvaged by taking on a plank challenge? Two pregnancies, both Caesarians and many un-planked years later, I was the bearer of incredibly flabby, mushy abs.

A life-long exerciser — cardio is my go-to choice. I was a runner for over 20 years, from my ‘30’s to ’50s until my knees gave out. These days hiking and pickleball fill the aerobic bill nicely.

I’ve never loved strength training though I endured through that as well, albeit reluctantly and sporadically.

When Covid hit, I was determined to change my muscle-building routine and take it more seriously. I have consistently lifted weights two to three times a week for 91 weeks. Astonishing for me, a dedicated strength-training adversary. I know the benefits — still, I wasn’t motivated as I didn’t enjoy it. And it was darn hard! Being housebound during the pandemic, I was resolved to make a change.

My biceps and shoulders have built up so that it’s noticeable, and I’m pleased. My abs, however, lagged. 

Enter Darshak Rana, a writer for Better Humans, and his article outlining the 30-Day Plank Challenge. Hmmm. Could I accept this challenge, too? Is it possible my droopy, jelly-like tummy could firm the heck up as my biceps did? Or am I too old? Too female? Too far-gone to salvage my abdominal muscles?

To hell with all that. I began the challenge on January 1.

Whenever I’d attempted a plank previously, the most I could hold it was for about 30 seconds. I was determined to surpass that on day 1. And I’ll be damned if I didn’t. I held the plank position — correctly —  for one minute and 11 seconds. I was shocked beyond belief.

I had no idea that a simple challenge, as Darshak proposed, could energize and motivate me so.

I am now on day 13, having added a few seconds daily to the previous days’. I rest a few seconds, then perform another plank immediately after, to complete two minutes.

I look forward to firmer abs, more muscular core, and shoulders — as all those parts are engaged.

Another benefit of this challenge, even a few days in, is the mental strength I’ve gained, knowing I’ve taken on a task that before seemed unattainable. I also have achieved a level of pride, proving to no one but myself that I can improve a body part that I had forsaken and lost hope could ever firm up.

Since 2022 began, have you taken on a physical, health, or fitness challenge to support your lifestyle goals? Or perhaps you’ve decided to make changes in other areas of your life? Relationships, career, or other domains?

Maybe, instead of goals, you’ve set a general plan to live with intention — appreciating life and every moment.

Whatever your plan, we all have an inner reservoir of strength we can tap into to achieve our dreams.

Like most of you, I’m not new to challenges. Having reached the Third Third of my life, many enigmas have crossed my path, some tough ones. This one is slight compared to others. Still, I’m reaping the rewards of taking on this challenge and look forward to the final results.

Thank you, Darshak! I will report back at the end of the 30 days, and perhaps I, too, will continue beyond that period.

Could Dry January Be the Start of a New and Inspiring Phase of Your Life?

 

Why Not Give Dry January a go? — It’s not too late to jump in now.

Diana Leotta

1 day ago·3 min read

Photo by Brenda Godinez on Unsplash

I wasn’t interested in taking part in Dry January as I knew I’d fail — I’d have proved myself a loser.

About 20 years ago, my best friend and I were invited to a neighbor’s for dinner. He had asked another friend — and the four of us had a lovely dinner and stimulating conversation.

Rich participated in Dry January — something the San Francisco firemen did yearly. It wasn’t the big deal it is today where folks worldwide join in this event.

Rich was mid-way through the challenge and saying he felt great.

I did not get the point. If one enjoys drinking and does not overdo it — why bother abstaining for a month and going back to alcohol on February 1?

I proceeded to tempt him into making an exception that night so he could enjoy a drink along with the three of us partaking in the lovely wine we were sharing. Absolutely no way, nadda, uh uh, was his reply.

He had committed himself, and he was following through with it.

What a crutch the wine was. It gave me courage. It made me more sociable, funnier, a witty conversationalist. At least I thought so.

I also believed I needed this stimulant to boost my confidence while chatting with Rich’s handsome friend. A couple of glasses in, this proved to be a misinformed thought.

I wasn’t exactly intoxicated, but I was past the point of being “charming.”

Have you ever given Dry January a try? Are you giving it a go this year?

My attitude about it has changed since attaining sobriety. Any break from alcohol is a good idea, whether long-lasting or short-term.

A 30-day respite from alcohol gives one the chance to see how great it is to wake up clear-headed without the possible hang-over that often follows a night of imbibing.

According to Dr. George F. Koob, the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:

Participating in Dry January can be a great way to learn more about your drinking habits, which can help you make healthier choices moving forward…At the very least, taking a break from alcohol gives a person a chance to evaluate their relationship with alcohol and cultivate alternatives for relaxing, socializing, coping and other reasons why people drink.

I love the last part — cultivating alternatives for relaxing, socializing, coping, and others reason why people drink.

Frequently, people drink out of habit — it’s just what we do when socializing, stressed, or having a relaxing evening with loved ones. And we rarely give it a second thought.

Allowing the liver, pancreas, heart, nervous system, and kidneys a much-needed rest is another benefit of a 30-day break from drinking. Alcohol stresses and is highly toxic to these organs that we count on continually.

I could not imagine going without alcohol for an entire month during the years I drank.

Now that I have over three years of sobriety and know first-hand the benefits and joy of not drinking — I say, without hesitation — give Dry January a try.

With luck at your side — this could be the start of a new and exciting phase of your life.

I can’t think of a better way to start the new year.