“Do drugs,” they said.
“It’ll be fun,” they said.
NOT! (It would probably be easier to write about the famous people who haven’t been to rehab in their lives …)
In December 2017, actor Ben Affleck entered a rehab facility for the third time in just months, according to Radar Online and other outlets.
But he’s not the first to do so — and certainly won’t be the last (shown above, left to right: Amanda Bynes, Selena Gomez, Robert Downey Jr.).
Scroll through the gallery below to see all the folks who tried to live the wild life in Hollywood — and what it cost them.
Joaquin Phoenix
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After taking on the role of Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line,” not only did Phoenix learn how to play guitar and sing, but he also won a Grammy for the soundtrack and took on a drinking problem. He wound up checking into rehab in 2005 and became his own nightmare of a celebrity cliché.
Demi Moore
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During her ’80s brat-pack days, Moore had a two-week rehab stint. After her separation with husband Ashton Kutcher, she reportedly began to spiral — leading to another stint in 2012 for anorexia and substance abuse. Apparently she was addicted to Red Bull for years and had even replaced food with the energy drink.
Joshua Jackson
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“The Mighty Ducks” trilogy star had to attend an alcohol education program after getting into a fight at a hockey game, back in 2003. Hey, at least he’s staying loyal to the sport, right?
Ben Affleck
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Affleck recently announced he quietly sought treatment for his alcohol addiction. Prior to this stint, he went to rehab in 2001. Both times Affleck checked himself in, but this time he explained himself via Facebook.
He posted: “I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something I’ve dealt with in the past and will continue to confront. I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be. I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step. I’m lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I’ve done the work I set out to do. This was the first of many steps being taken towards a positive recovery.”
Kirsten Dunst
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Dunst reportedly went to rehab in 2008 for depression. She told “Us Weekly,” “On a personal level, I would talk to anybody about it, but not on a public level. If I do that, then the next person feels like they can ask me about it, and the person after that, until everyone then feels entitled to ask me about it, and that’s not coming from a good place.”
Jon Hamm
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From “Pass the Heinz” to pass the bottle! The “Mad Men” star went to rehab for alcohol abuse in 2015. He told the weekly journal “Mr. Porter,” “People go for all sorts of reasons, not all of which are chemically related. But there’s something to be said for pulling yourself out of the grind for a period of time and concentrating on recalibrating the system. And it works. It’s great.”
Amanda Bynes
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The Nickelodeon star was admitted to rehab after a Section 5150 psychiatric hold to treat schizophrenic tendencies and bipolar disorder. Bynes started exhibiting bizarre public behavior, including posting Hitler rants to social media, throwing a bong out of the window of her NYC apartment, and frequently driving under the influence. She’s been off the radar ever since.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
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In 2013 Zeta-Jones went to rehab for bipolar disorder and then again in 2016 for the same reason. She told “People” magazine, “If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it. There is no need to suffer silently, and there is no shame in seeking help.” Preach!
Chevy Chase
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In 2016, Chevy Chase checked himself into rehab to seek treatment for an alcohol-related issue. The first time he sought treatment was in 1986 for an addiction to prescription painkillers.
Demi Lovato
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Demi Lovato voluntarily checked into rehab in 2010 for cutting, bulimia, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse. She has since created a foundation to help young people harness their habits.
Dennis Quaid
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Quaid wrote an essay about his 1980s cocaine addiction in “Newsweek” after having “one of those white-light experiences that night, where I kind of realized I was going to be dead in five years if I didn’t change my ways.” The actor checked himself into rehab in 1990 for a 30-day stint and afterwards didn’t touch drugs or alcohol for a decade.
Drew Barrymore
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Barrymore had her first drink at age nine, began smoking pot at 10, and took cocaine at 12. Her first time to rehab was for substance abuse when at age 13, and she went twice as a teen. After her struggles she wrote an autobiography in 1990 titled “Little Girl Lost.” Barrymore wrote, “I was this seven-year-old who was expected to be going on a mature 29.”
Eminem
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The real Slim Shady went to rehab for substance abuse back in 2005. As the Detroit rapper sought to recover from his drug addiction, he started to jog excessively. He told “Men’s Journal,” “I got an addict’s brain, and when it came to running, I think I got a little carried away.” He also called up Elton John for moral support as he got back on track.
Eva Mendes
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Eva Mendes went to rehab for an undisclosed reason in 2008. Rumors have been anything from substance abuse to research for a part — guess we’ll never know.
Keith Urban
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Keith Urban has been to rehab a few times for substance abuse. His problem with drugs and alcohol started shortly after moving to Nashville in 1992. The country star’s uncle told “New Idea” that he only expected the marriage to Nicole Kidman in 2006 to last weeks, but Urban has kicked the bad habits for his wife, and they’re still together today.
LeAnn Rimes
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The country singer did a voluntary 30-day stint for depression, stress and anxiety back in 2012. She told Katie Couric on an episode of “20/20” that rehab was “the best birthday gift I could ever give myself.”
Mary-Kate Olsen
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In 2004 Mary-Kate Olsen checked into a rehab facility and sought treatment for an eating disorder. Although she’s never fully made an admission, she told “New York” mag, “I think that hardest part to get to is that point of asking for help or reaching out to other people and being honest with yourself.”
Robert Downey Jr.
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Formerly known as the “poster boy for wasted talent,” Downey Jr. spent a decent number of nights in jail for breaking parole and finally sought help for substance abuse in 2001. His career has done nothing but bounce back since he took on the role of “Iron Man” in 2008.
Selena Gomez
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Gomez checked into rehab in 2014. Rumors later surfaced that she was partying a little too hard with alcohol, weed, and prescription drugs. In 2016 the singer allegedly sought treatment for her depression and took a break from the limelight. Now that it’s 2017 she’s officially back on the grid, releasing new music.
Zac Efron
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The “Baywatch” heartthrob secretly went to rehab in 2013 after reportedly barely surviving a cocaine overdose. Women everywhere are thrilled that Efron has lived another day to take his shirt off on screen.