It is important to remember that addiction can affect anyone regardless of status, gender, background, or ethnicity. It does not matter how wealthy or famous a person is. It can even affect great athletes, who on the outside may appear to have everything together and be at the peak of their health.

Many may wonder how someone who seemingly has so much going for them would ever fall into substance use. The reality is that addiction does not discriminate. Looking at athletes who battled addiction and came out on the other side can motivate those considering treatment or who are in the midst of their recovery journey that they too can get sober and reach their dreams. The following individuals were brave enough to open up to the public about their stories.

Michael Phelps’ Journey to Recovery

Michael Phelps is one of the greatest and most famous competitive swimmers of all time. While representing the United States in the Olympics, Michael shockingly brought home an astounding 28 different medals. He has won numerous awards, started his own foundation, and is admired as a role model by many people around the world.

But Michael has also struggled with alcohol misuse throughout his lifetime, and it has even had an impact on his career. He has been arrested two different times for driving under the influence, most recently in September of 2014. His arrest would cause him to be suspended from competing in USA Swimming for six months. Michael pled guilty to the DUI charge and then began to evaluate his life.

Michael had admitted in the past to making poor decisions while drinking, but he had not been sure if he was truly addicted to it. The second DUI was enough for him to realize he needed help. He ultimately entered an in-patient treatment facility where he stayed for 45 days. After treatment, he continued to keep up with his recovery by attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). While he may face temptation from time to time, Michael often speaks about how glad he is that he sought treatment and is remaining sober.

Josh Hamilton’s Journey to Recovery

Some people fall into addiction completely by accident and even due to situations they were not fully able to control. This was the case for Josh Hamilton, a former American professional baseball player. Josh played for the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Ranges, and Los Angeles Rangers and was very successful. Growing up, he had very little interest in drugs or alcohol, but that changed in 2001 when he was in a car accident with his parents. He was initially using substances to help cope with the pain associated with his severe injuries but would wind up addicted. He would go on to fail drug tests that he needed to pass to play in the MLB, and his career quickly spiraled. He also developed a problem with alcohol.

After being confronted by his grandmother, Josh finally sought treatment for his addiction. He credited his faith for helping him get through this difficult part of his life and even wrote a book about his experience. Unfortunately, he did relapse years later and was photographed drinking in a bar. He came forward and owned up to his actions before returning to his recovery journey. Josh is a testament to the fact that while individuals may experience struggles in recovery, they can still pick themselves up and try again.

Brett Farve’s Journey to Recovery

Brett Farve is a former quarterback for the NFL who used to play for the Greenbay Packers. He is an incredibly successful athlete who won the Most Valuable Player award multiple times and was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Unfortunately, he struggled with both drug and alcohol addictions throughout parts of his life. He has been very candid about these addictions and his path to recovery.

As occurs with many athletes, Brett suffered a broken ankle and was prescribed painkillers for the injury. Ultimately, once he started taking these pills, he could not stop. At the time, he did not think it was that big a deal if he took a couple of pills a day. But as time went on, he was soon taking a month’s worth of pain killers in just a couple of days.

Brett’s addiction got so bad that he was having seizures and finally chose to go through detox. He initially was not sure if he had an addiction to alcohol because it was not like he was drinking all the time. Although, he found that when he did drink alcohol, he would binge drink and engage in dangerous activities, so he decided it was time to get sober from alcohol as well.

Many people look at famous, successful athletes and think of them as having it all together. They are talented, wealthy, and respected. How could they fall into substance use? The truth is that addiction does not discriminate, and it can impact anyone at any time. It can even occur due to unforeseeable circumstances. For example, a person might suffer an injury and be prescribed medication only to find themselves unable to stop taking it. If you’re considering seeking treatment for substance use or are currently on your recovery journey, it can be motivational to hear the stories of athletes who have battled addiction and come out on the other side. If you’re struggling with substance use, there is help available for you. Reach out to our team at The Kimberly Center today at (855) 452-3683 to learn more about the different types of services that we provide.