You may be familiar with the “Celebrities: They’re Just Like Us!” columns that various magazines publish depicting your favorite actors and singers doing everyday things like grabbing coffee or taking out the trash. However, celebrities who recover from drug and alcohol addiction can also fall off the wagon from time to time, just like the rest of us.
This year in an interview with Apple’s New Music Daily Radio with Zane Lowe, the famous singer Miley Cyrus admitted to struggling during the global pandemic this year and relapsing. COVID-19’s worldwide spread has impacted every aspect of our lives and has introduced stressors such as financial instability, health concerns, and social isolation, all of which can drive a person in recovery to drink or abuse drugs.
Cyrus is one of many who has turned to drinking to cope with the stress of this year.
“Well, I, like a lot of people, being completely honest, during the pandemic fell off and felt really a lot of … and I would never sit here and go, ‘I’ve been f—–g sober,’” Cyrus said on the show. “I didn’t, and I fell off and I realized that I now am back on sobriety, two weeks sober, and you know I feel like I really accepted that time.”
Cyrus is one of many celebrities who have been candid about their struggles with addiction in an effort to normalize talking about addiction and seeking professional help. Other celebrities who have spoken out about getting sober this year include Brad Pitt, Elton John, Jessica Simpson, and more. Cyrus has also highlighted the importance of not being too hard on yourself when you relapse, but remembering to take a moment to reflect and grow from the experience.
If you or a loved one has relapsed, you have not failed in your recovery journey. In fact, studies show that approximately half of all people who try to get sober return to heavy use. It’s rare for people to emerge from their treatments and never slip up or be tempted to use ever again.
“Don’t get furious, get curious,” she said. “So don’t be mad at yourself, but ask yourself, ‘What happened?'”
Why Relapse Isn’t a Sign of Failure
If you or a loved one has relapsed, you have not failed in your recovery journey. In fact, studies show that approximately half of all people who try to get sober return to heavy use. It’s rare for people to emerge from their treatments and never slip up or be tempted to use ever again.
Life comes with a variety of triggers that can’t be avoided. Some common triggers that encourage people to abuse drugs or alcohol include:
- Meeting or seeing people you used to get high or drink with, or being peer-pressured by these people to drink or use drugs
- Revisiting places where you had good memories using drugs or alcohol
- Stress from important life experiences such as losing your job, getting divorced, breaking up, or facing financial issues
- Loneliness, which is especially common amid social distancing guidelines
- Celebrations or other social activities that encourage drinking or drug use
Many people consider detoxing to be the “easy” part of getting sober, as recovery is ultimately about changing your behavior and lifestyle and making decisions to benefit your health and future. Checking into a rehab facility is important because along with detoxing, you’ll be able to learn healthy coping mechanisms that can motivate you on your long journey toward a sober life.
Recover Safely in Nature
Mount Sinai Wellness Center offers a calm and relaxing retreat for individuals to recover comfortably from drug and alcohol addiction. Located on 43 wooded acres in the North Georgia Mountains, our facility is located in nature, away from the distractions and stress you can often find in cities like Atlanta. Our facility is private and an ideal setting for reflecting on your journey and committing to sobriety.
Reach out to our team online or by phone at (800) 353-4673 to learn more about our facilities or our unique treatment programs. Our team is ready to welcome you and help you heal.