Elton John, DJM LP, 1970
Going back decades, many famous rock stars have been followed by tabloid stories of partying lifestyles, often involving heavy alcohol and drug use. Some artists have also made this side of fame part of their brand, even dedicating songs to both the chaotic fun of partying while others have written songs that address the darker side of addictions.
We have lost some legendary musicians to drug addictions but there are also some inspiring stories of rock stars who have overcome their previous addiction struggles, including some who have gone on to live past their 70s.
Here are some of the most famous examples of British rock stars who beat addiction over the years:
Elton John
The Rocket Man has been candid with his addictions, stating that he struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction from the 70s through to the start of the 90s. He also battled bulimia nervosa for a six-year period during these addictions. Elton checked into rehab in Chicago in July 1990, a decision that he credits with saving his life. Since his stint in rehab he has continued his sobriety journey and has mentored other artists in recovery steps, including Eminem and Robbie Williams.
Ronnie Wood
The Rolling Stones were renowned for heavy drug use, with Keith Richards once claiming in an interview with NME that he snorted his dad’s ashes mixed in with cocaine! Ronnie Wood also had well-documented drug use battles and it is claimed that he entered rehab around ten times before he finally turned a corner.
Throughout the 70s and 80s, Ronnie struggled with addictions to alcohol, cocaine and other drugs before quitting around 2010. He is now nearing his 80s and has been sober for over 15 years after fearing that his addictions would lead him to an early grave. The band continued touring up to as recently as 2024 and most of them have credited that to being able to kick their drug habits.
Robbie Williams
While Robbie Williams started off in the boy band Take That, when he went solo his music genre took a more rock-inspired direction. Keen to leave his softer image behind, Robbie became notorious for wild antics and hard partying and during this time he started taking more drugs. He shared that he dabbled with LSD from the age of 15 and went on to use cocaine and heroin, along with other drugs before heading to rehab on his 33rd birthday.
Elton John was the force behind getting him to rehab, staging an intervention while Robbie was staying at his house. Staying sober for coming up to 20 years, Robbie went on to marry Ayda Williams and have four children together, something he said he could never have done if his life had remained the same.
Robbie has continued to release music and his biopic ‘Better Man’ provided insights into his drug-fuelled lifestyle before he managed to get sober. Like many other artists, Robbie said it was common for him to have drug binges lasting for days, then would use valium to force himself to sleep.
Oli Sykes
One of the more prominent recent drug problems affecting artists, particularly of younger generations, is ketamine addiction. Friends sitcom star Matthew Perry is said to have died from the acute effects of ketamine. The drug has been used by numerous celebrities as part of therapy treatment in the past but there is now wider awareness of the addictive nature of the drug. There are now dedicated ketamine detox clinics to help people who have been dealing with ketamine addiction.
Oli Sykes of Bring Me the Horizon has openly admitted that he was addicted to ketamine and has shared the effects it had on his family before he attended rehab sessions.
These are just a few examples of British rock stars who have struggled with and beat addiction but there is a long list of global stars who have done the same. This includes Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame and Eric Clapton, who founded a treatment center to help others.
Of course, there were many tragic endings for exceptional musicians like Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Sid Vicious. Some amazing and talented artists were taken from us too soon and it highlights how much the music industry has been intertwined with systematic drug abuse.
The successful recovery stories of the likes of Elton John and Robbie Williams provide a more optimistic outlook that those struggling with heavy addictions can turn their life around with rehab clinics that are well-equipped to support them.
