There is always a lot to say about addiction news in today’s world. Addiction rates are soaring and so many people are suffering. To put a more positive spin on things for a minute, here are 3 celebrities who were able to beat addiction.

  1. Josh Hamilton is a former #1 pick in the MLB draft. He was a once-in-a-generation talent coming out of high school. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays thought so highly of him, they gave him a $4 million signing bonus in 1999.Drugs and alcohol abuse quickly stalled the young star’s career. His failed drug tests lead to suspensions, ultimately leading to his departure from the game he loves in 2003.After a three-year hiatus from the sport, a sober Hamilton was given a second shot at professional baseball. Since his return, Josh Hamilton has demonstrated that addicts can bounce back. He beat addiction and is now one of the premier power hitters in all of baseball, having won the AL MVP in 2010
  2. George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States of America, the highest office one can hold in the United States. But before serving as our commander in chief, George W. Bush struggled with alcoholism.Bush’s struggles with alcoholism have been documented. For instance, he was arrested for drunk driving in 1976 and had his license suspended until 1978.It wasn’t until George W. Bush turned 40 did he finally sober up. If it took our 43rd President until his fourth decade to beat addiction, there is hope for you.
  3. Tony Stark, Iron Man himself, has struggled with addiction. His struggle with drugs and alcohol have also been well documented. From 1996-2001, Downey has had several run-ins with the law over cocaine, heroin, and marijuana charges.But Robert Downey Jr. didn’t give up on himself. He spent nearly an entire year in a California substance abuse facility. Upon sobering up, Downey Jr. reinvented his career and returned to Hollywood’s A-List.Today, Robert Downey Jr. is the hottest movie star on the planet. He not only overcame his drug and alcohol addiction, but he has sky rocketed to the top of a very competitive industry. But you don’t have to be a super hero to beat addiction.Addiction isn’t a life sentence. It’s possible not only to beat addiction, but also to live a full, successful life afterwards. Remember these three stories when you think to yourself that there is no hope.