“Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem” -Kurt Cobain Kurt Donald Cobain was a American musician who served as lead singer, guitarist, song writer for the Seattle-based rock band Nirvana. Cobain was labeled a “spokesman” for Generation X. During the last years of his life, Cobain struggled with drug addiction and unfortunately died on April 8, 1994 Bitter but true!! Ultimately, a drug addict has nothing left but only to regret in life. Life that is nourished by family, friends, and all your well-wishers becomes vulnerable. Although many geniuses survived on drugs and adorned the earth with their talented and extraordinary creations, like Charles Dickens and many more. But the point is not all men on this earth are born with a silver spoon and so not all are born with a regenerative and innovative mind. The philosophy of living cannot always be framed by exceptions. Drug abuse is rife in many countries and is engulfing our young generation and rising crime rates. Billions of Dollars are spent internationally preventing drug use, treating addicts, and fighting drug-related crime. Drug abuse is a curse to the society causing medical and psychological effects giving rise to abnormal behavior of people who are irresponsible towards their duties. History has seen great stars falling into pit of addiction when they were at the peak of their careers. Some of them could get out, and others overdosed themselves to death. No matter how impossible a task might seem, but always where there is a will, there is a way! The menace of drug can be fought. Here, we will come across the famous artists of the century who survived to become sober and clean, demolishing an addict inside them. 1. Downey Junior 
Few actors are crowned with the title of superb actor. Robert Jr. made his debut as an actor at the age of five in the film Pound (1970). Robert Downey Jr. endured his public battles with drug abuse hardships. He started using marijuana at the age of six. His father was a drug addict. Downey was arrested numerous times on suspicion for drug use and related charges including marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. He was reduced at one point to earning eight cents an hour scrubbing pizza pans. The court ordered a drug treatment program and finally he entered the sober world and evolved into one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. After five years of substance abuse, arrests, rehab and relapse, Robert Downey Jr. was all set to work and return to his career. In August 2009, Downey Jr. starred in the action adventure-Sherlock Holmes. He achieved critical claim for his starring role in Iron Man (2008). He has now transformed from being a washed up drug addict to a $100m man. He is surely a great role model for the entire world. 2. Steven Tyler 
The front man of the famous American Boston based Rock-Band Aerosmith had a heavy drug and alcohol addiction, and the band’s popularity totally diminished. Steven Tyler is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist who released many milestone hard rock albums. The legendary intakes of heroin and stimulants named him and his partner (Perry) ‘Toxic Twins’. Tyler’s heroin consumption led to many problems. He was found roaming on New York streets searching dealers. In 1986, Tyler completed rehabilitation and persuaded other band members to do so. He remained sober thereafter but had a relapse with the subscription painkillers. He successfully treated himself by 2009. In 2007, Tyler and daughter Liv were profiled on E! True Hollywood Story. 3. Keith Richards 
He explained himself as an ‘alchemist’ and used his body like a ‘laboratory’ during his drug fuelled years with the Rolling Stones. He works on keyboard, bass, percussions and guitars. He is the founding member of the best ever band The Rolling Stones. The 69-old-guitarist after seeing his life in turmoil admitted that he used his body to see what would happen if chemicals were mixed into powerful cocaine. He was busted in 1960s and 1970s for drug related charges. He quit taking cocaine in 2006 when he fell out of a palm tree in Fiji and went through a brain surgery. The success story of this guitarist is never ending. But he achieved a remarkable stardom 2008 onwards. Johnny Depp had cited Keith Richards as an inspiration for his portrayal of Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of Caribbean series. 4. Slash 
Saul Hudson, known by his stage name Slash is a British American songwriter and musician. He was the lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. Slash’s initial drug problem could not bring a boom to his career. In 2001, at the age of 35, Slash was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a congestive heart failure, which was a consequence of many years of alcohol and drug abuse. His disclosure of drug abuse and debauchery made him another rock and roll casualty. Fortunately, he survived through physical therapy and the implantation of a defibrillator. Slash has been clean and sober since 2006. Slash’s wife Perla deserves the credit. In 2009, bewildered by his mother’s death from lung cancer, he quit smoking. Ever since then, he has received a critical acclaim as a guitarist. Time named him “The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players” in 2009. 5. Eric Clapton 
After a $16,000 –a-Week drug habit, the famous ‘Cocaine’ singer paved a new path for his life. He is the greatest English musician, songwriter and singer. He is the only three inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His noble credit to the society in 1998 deserves him a standing ovation. He founded the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, a medical facility for recovering substance abusers. He confessed that the problematic thing with drugs is that at the onset it feels so damn great and priceless. He was in love with cocaine, alcohol and heroin. Soon realizing his demolishing social life, he gave up to drugs and became clean and sober. Fortunately, the intervention of former drug addict in the music world helped Clapton realize that he should seek help stop drug and alcohol abuse. The 67 year singer has supported anti-drug and anti-alcohol movement for more than 25 years. He did a number of charity works to convince his soul and enlighten the society about the dark side of drug abuse. 6. Elton John 
Sir Elton Hercules John is an English singer-songwriter, composer, pianist, record producer, and occasional actor. He has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriter and they have collaborated more than 30 albums to date. He is one of the bestselling music artist in the world. By 1975, he had to pay dearly for his celebrity pressure. John became a victim of drug overdose and eating disorder bulimia during “Elton Week” in Los Angeles that year. Elton claimed it to be a miracle that he is still alive inspite of taking so much cocaine. He kicked his drug habit in 1990 and regretted that he had wasted his precious life and ruined his golden years. He has described his 1990 Rehab life in extraordinary new book named ‘Love is the Cure’. 7. Iggy Pop 
Iggy Pop is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. Iggy’s music has encompassed a number of styles over the years including pop, hard rock, jazz and blues. He is the vocalist of influential protopunk band The Stooges. Iggy’s career impeded for several years resulting from persisted drug problem. He sprayed blood from used needles onto the apartment’s walls. Pop was unable to control his drug abuse and checked himself into a mental institution UCLA’s neuropsychiatric institute, to try to clean up. He went through a rehab in 1975. After going through rehab, Pop’s successful solo career began with the albums The Idiot and Lust for Life in 1976. Pop described the effects of addiction by comparing his body to a neighborhood, saying it was as if moved somewhere cool and suddenly one day he looked around and condos had sprung up everywhere. Iggy described how drugs enhanced his perception of beauty and emotion, but left him all barren inside 8. James Hetfield 
James Hetfield is the main songwriter, cofounder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarists and lyricists for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Metallica’s guitar and songs are famous worldwide. He was placed as the 8th greatest guitarist of all time in Joel McIver’s book. In 2001, the Metallica front man entered rehab for alcohol and substance use during recording of the band’s eight audio album St. Anger. He mentioned recovery as the most challenging and difficult thing he had ever attempted. He rejoined the band after seven months in rehab and four months cherishing with his family. He is now clean and sober and is determined to remain so. Hetfield stated that he is a “reborn straight edge” in an interview with So What!, the official magazine of Metallica’s fan club. 9. Courtney Love 
Courtney Michelle Love is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actress and artist. She received critical recognition as an actress; her leading role in Milos Forman’s 1996 film The People vs. Larry Flynt earned her a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actress. In 2005, Love admitted that she was addicted to Benzos, heroin and cocaine which went on to plague her life. Finally she decided to spend time in a rehab. She went to Beau Monde where she was accepted on a scholarship basis because she had no money then. After attending so many rehabs, she arrived at the conclusion that people don’t really need rehabs. One must be able to kick dope, Oxys, or coke himself lest you should not switch over to drugs again. She is sober now. Love has been practicing Buddhist since 1989 10. Lindsay Lohan 
Lindsay Morgan Lohan is an American actress, model and recording artist. The 27 year old star began her career as a child fashion model when she was only three. Her shining career received a blowback when she was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine and driving under its influence. She ultimately lost the Poor Things part in May 2007.Soon the teenager released the statement that her life has become completely unmanageable because of her addiction to alcohol and drugs. The talented actress sat down for a post-rehab interview and revealed her addiction to cocaine. Finally she decided not to Booze or Snort, Huff, Smoke, Ingest, Inject any drugs. She has been in and out of various rehabilitation facilities since 2007. She has started to look clean and better. Her fight with her addiction is still on its trail and she is trying her best to refrain herself from drug abuse.
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