With Dry January now underway, many of us are skipping booze for a month – or even longer.
Celebrities speaking about being teetotal can help break the stigma around sobriety – and Chrissy Teigen is the latest famous face to talk about quitting alcohol.
She posted a picture of self-help book Quit Like A Woman by Holly Whitaker on her Instagram Stories, writing: “One month ago, on my birthday, I got this book from my doctor and friend. I was done with making an ass of myself in front of people.”
The 35-year-old presenter and cookbook author continued: “I have been sober ever since and even if you can’t see yourself doing it or just plain don’t want to, it is still an incredible read.”
There are a whole range of reasons why someone might not drink alcohol – from battling serious addictions to simply not liking the taste – and Teigen isn’t the only celebrity who has spoken candidly about her decision to be sober…
Anthony Hopkins
With gratitude, I celebrate 45 years of sobriety. pic.twitter.com/fxzMRGlI4m
— AHopkins.eth (@AnthonyHopkins) December 29, 2020
While Teigen is relatively new to giving up alcohol, Anthony Hopkins recently celebrated a major milestone: 45 years sober.
The 83-year-old actor posted an uplifting video on Twitter to mark the occasion, saying: “45 years ago today, I had a wake-up call. I was heading for a disaster, I was drinking myself to death. I’m not preachy but I got a message, a little thought that said, ‘Do you want to live or die?’ And I said, ‘I want to live’ and suddenly the relief came. And my life has been amazing.
“I have my off days and sometimes little bits of doubt and all that but all in all I say, hang in there.”
Naomi Campbell
Back in 2010, supermodel Naomi Campbell spoke about her struggles with alcohol. The 50-year-old said: “The time between 1998 and 2005 was especially bad. During that time I avoided looking in the mirror, because I didn’t like the person who was looking back at me.
“To be honest, there were times I thought I wouldn’t survive. I used to have a lot of problems. Amongst others I drank too much so I joined Alcoholics Anonymous to get and stay sober.”
Elton John
Elton John is open about his sobriety on social media. For his 29th anniversary in 2019 he wrote in Instagram: “29 years ago today, I was a broken man. I finally summoned up the courage to say 3 words that would change my life: “I need help”. Thank-you to all the selfless people who have helped me on my journey through sobriety. I am eternally grateful.”
The 73-year-old musician celebrated 30 years sober in July 2020, writing on Instagram: “I’m truly a blessed man. If I hadn’t finally taken the big step of asking for help 30 years ago, I’d be dead. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart to all the people who have inspired and supported me along the way.”
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway has given up drinking for a specific period of time: 18 years. Last year the 38-year-old actor opened up about her decision to be teetotal while her four-year-old son Jonathan was still living at home.
She told Tatler magazine: “My issue is I just love it. So. Much. But the way I do it makes me unavailable for my son. My last hangover lasted for five days. I’d earned it: it was a day drinking session with friends that went into an evening birthday party with one of my drinking buddies.
“I will never be that person who can nurse a glass of wine throughout an entire evening.”
Rob Delaney
Comedian Rob Delaney wrote a message on Twitter celebrating 17 years sober in February 2019. The 43-year-old wrote: “As of today I’ve been sober 17 years. 17 years ago today I was in jail in a wheelchair. Today I’m not.
“I’m profoundly grateful to the alcoholics who shined a light on the path for me and helped equip me with the skills to live life well.”
His character Rob in Catastrophe – the hit show Delaney co-wrote with Sharon Horgan – is also a recovering alcoholic, and his storyline showed the realities of living with addiction, and how the journey to sobriety isn’t always a straight line.
