Addiction knows no boundaries, affecting people from all walks of life, including the rich and famous. One such person is Bradley Cooper, an Oscar-nominated actor, who considers himself “very lucky” to have conquered his battles with addiction and emerged triumphant. In a recent episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge, Cooper candidly opened up about his journey to overcome alcohol and drug dependency.

Before his breakout role in The Hangover, Cooper had already been grappling with addiction for a decade. However, he attributes his success in not getting lost in fame to his early experiences. Despite his hidden wild years, Cooper clarifies that his struggles with alcohol and drugs were not a result of his rising celebrity status. “But I was lucky, y’know? I got sober at 29 years old. And I’ve been sober for 19 years,” he shared.

This revelation is not the first time Cooper has discussed his past struggles. On the Smartless podcast, hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, he openly revealed hitting rock bottom. It was a pivotal moment when Arnett visited Cooper’s home and realized that the dogs hadn’t been taken out to relieve themselves. “That was the first time I ever realized I had a problem with drugs and alcohol,” Cooper confessed. “It changed my entire life.”

Cooper recalls feeling completely lost and having zero self-esteem, especially after parting ways with the television show Alias. But despite the hardships, his past experiences as an addict proved instrumental in his portrayal of Jackson Maine in A Star is Born. “It made it easier to really enter in there,” Cooper admitted. “And thank goodness I was at a place in my life where I was at ease with all that. So I could really let myself go.”

It is undeniably inspiring to witness Bradley Cooper’s 19-year journey of sobriety. His resilience and determination deserve our utmost praise. Not only has he triumphed over his personal demons, but he has also channeled his experiences into remarkable performances that have touched the hearts of many. Bradley Cooper’s story serves as a beacon of hope, showing that with perseverance, even the darkest of moments can lead to a brighter future.

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