Alcohol addiction afflicts every demographic of this country and around the world. Young or old, rich or poor, man or woman – have all been affected by alcohol. Tragically, tens of thousands of people die from alcohol-related deaths each year. According to the most recent statistics published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism around 88,000 people die each year. This means that in the United States, alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of death.
Celebrities are not immune from Alcohol Use Disorder, well-known actors, singers and athletes have succumb to addiction dying from liver disease, alcohol poisoning, asphyxiation and a number of other alcohol-related causes. From the likes of sultry blues singer Amy Winehouse to renowned actor Errol Flynn, celebrity alcohol deaths have rocked the headlines. Heavy alcohol use can wreak havoc on internal organs causing people in their early 40s to die of cirrhosis of the liver like actress Helen Morgan. Others die in drunk driving accidents including Ryan Dunn who last his life at the age of 34, best known for his work on Jack Ass. The list goes on. Too many people have died way before their time.
Today, many celebrities are more open about their struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. They have taken their recovery public helping thousands seek treatment. As influencers on social media they have a platform unlike anything before and are able to connect with followers in real time encouraging others to seek treatment and removing some of the stigma associated with addiction. The more honest that celebrities are with their alcohol or drug addiction, the better they can help others.