Dax Shepard is an American actor turned podcast host. Born in January 1975 near Detroit, Michigan, Dax shot to stardom with films like Let’s Go To Prison (2006), Hit and Run (2012), This Is Where I Leave You (2014) and The Judge (2014), among others.
In 2018, he launched his successful podcast, Armchair Expert, with cohost Monica Padman. The duo has interviewed countless household names, and Shepard has also opened up about his own experiences with counseling and sexual abuse.
Shepard has been especially candid about his struggles with addiction and substance abuse dating back to his early teens. He’s also opened up about his sobriety, and more recently, his relapse. He isn’t alone in this experience, as research suggests 40%-60% of recovering drug addicts will relapse, even after a long period of abstinence.
The message of hope from Dax Shepard is how relapsing isn’t the end. Even with support from loved ones and a determination to change the behaviors making you vulnerable, recovery can take several tries. At the same time, the years of sobriety and hard work count and can help you rebound, as with Dax Shepard’s drug addiction.
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Dax Shepard’s History of Substance Abuse
In a 2012 interview with Playboy, Dax divulged how he had used and abused many substances prior to his years of sobriety. He cited marijuana, cocaine, Jack Daniel’s, diet pills and pain medication as just a few of his vices. About the nights he indulged in these substances, Shepard said, “I lived for going down the rabbit hole of meeting weird people.”
He also noted his past behavior affected his relationship with his current wife, Kristen Bell, creating trust issues in their marriage. Dax said, “All the things I’d done were terrifying to her, and she had a hard time believing I would ever be able to stay married.”
In a late 2020 episode of Armchair Expert, Shepard admitted to taking opioids again after 16 years of sobriety. The podcast episode, entitled “Day 7,” revealed how he’d fallen back into a struggle with addiction after taking pain medication following a motorcycle accident.
Dax Shepard’s Drug Relapse
When Dax courageously went public with news of his relapse, he openly admitted to being uncomfortable sharing this information initially, fearing reactions from the public. In a January 2021 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Shepard shared his concerns about speaking out about his relapse. He worried it might affect sponsorships on his podcast and other aspects of his professional life.
In the interview, Dax also admitted one of his favorite things about being in the public eye is the esteem boost he gets from vocally sharing the Dax Shepard sobriety story and having podcast listeners confide in him about their own struggles. Shepard told Ellen he was afraid going public might result in losing valued confidence from his listeners.
What changed his mind about sharing news of his relapse was a friend framing the situation to him differently, which made Shepard realize sharing his experience could help him connect with even more people. He could show them that even if you fall off the wagon, it’s possible to get back on and keep going.
In an important message to anyone struggling with addiction or relapses, Ellen commended Shepard on his honesty. She stated that no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes or deals with personal demons. Understanding it’s brave to admit you’re struggling is critical to changing the conversation and eliminating the stigma surrounding substance abuse and mental health issues.
It’s okay to be honest about what you’re going through, seek support from those in your life and ask for help. Treatment centers like FHE Health can also offer advice and assistance for addiction recovery.
In October 2020, Shepard’s wife, Kristen Bell, spoke to DeGeneres about her husband’s relapse, praising his response and desire for personal growth. Bell shared how Dax was forthcoming with her about falling back into the desire to use and wanted her help coming up with a new plan to keep him sober. Bell, who’s also grappled with depression and anxiety, emphasized the importance of honesty and transparency with her own and her husband’s mental health and substance abuse struggles.
“There’s a couple of common fallacies about sobriety. One being that people hit a bottom and then that’s that. Most addicts have many bottoms,” said Shepard in a 2019 appearance on Off Camera with Sam Jones. This speaks to the importance of the ongoing process of caring for your mental health and sticking to a treatment plan.
How Celebrities Inspire Change
Relapsing in the public eye is difficult because of the media attention and opinions of followers on social media. But having the courage to share his experience has allowed Dax to inspire change through example. He demonstrates that even if you’ve been sober for over a decade, relapses can still happen.
Shepard also represents the hope that a relapse isn’t a downward spiral but instead an opportunity to reassess your plan and how you’re going to prevent it from happening again. Kristen’s supportive response to her husband’s recent struggle allows others to see how being honest doesn’t necessarily garner judgment. It can forge a stronger relationship through honesty, trust and love.
As humans, we’re always stronger together, and it’s important for individuals dealing with addiction and substance abuse to understand they aren’t alone. Reaching out to a loved one for help is often the best way to pave a path to recovery.
Celebrities sharing their stories can help inspire us to embrace the human experience and realize no one is perfect. Everyone has moments of weakness or makes choices they regret. What defines who you are is how you handle and recover from those moments.
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Life After Treatment
In the Day 7 episode of Armchair Expert, Dax said about his relapse, “I’ve had a lot of friends that I’ve watched go through this whole cycle, and I finally have the humility to say I will not be any different. … I won’t be special. I won’t be smarter. I will be exactly like everyone else.”
Dax’s transparency highlights how, no matter who you are, celebrity or otherwise, everyone dealing with addiction and substance abuse experiences the same cycle. You’re never alone and can take comfort in this when the time comes to ask for help.
So, is Dax Shepard still sober? Yes, he is. On Thursday, September 4, 2025, he and Kristen celebrated their latest sobriety milestone. It’s been 5 years since he recovered from his opioid relapse and 21 years since he became sober. Looking back to 2020, as he began his sobriety journey all over again, he reminds us there can always be a fresh start after a relapse.
At FHE, we offer both inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs at our center in South Florida, where your sobriety journey can begin. With our caring, professional support, it’s possible to start over and reclaim your life. Contact us today to learn how our addiction recovery programs can be customized to your needs.
