Jamie Lee Curtis is a famous actress known for her roles in several horror and comedy films. But for all you know about the actress, you may not know about her dark past with alcohol and substance abuse. Let’s look at everything known about Jamie Lee Curtis’ addictions, her sobriety and her comments on her mental health journey.
Jamie Lee Curtis: A Brief Background
Jamie Lee Curtis rose to stardom quickly — which is no surprise, given that her parents were the actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.
The actress made her television debut in 1977, appearing on an episode of Quincy, M.E. The following year, she became instantly famous after her role in the horror movie Halloween. Curtis would become known as a scream-queen actress, specializing in horror movies for many years, including The Fog, Prom Night and Roadgames.
Curtis’ career went beyond acting; she also found success in writing children’s novels, blogging and producing.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s Addiction and Her Journey to Sobriety
To outside spectators, Curtis’s life was perfect in the 1980s and 1990s. She was famous, rich and beautiful. No one would have suspected Jamie Lee Curtis had a problem with drugs. But the actress was struggling with addiction for a long time before anyone knew.
In 1989, a decade into her fame and fortune, Curtis’s life took a dark turn. The actress had a minor plastic surgery procedure on her eyes. Following the surgery, she was given a prescription for opioid painkillers. This sent her spiraling into an addiction that would last 10 years.
“I was ahead of the curve of the opiate epidemic,” she says. “I had a 10-year run, stealing, conniving. No one knew. No one.”
In a 2023 interview, Curtis shared, “I was an opiate addict, and I liked a good opiate buzz. And if fentanyl was available, as easily available as it is today on the street, I’d be dead.” The actress’ statement rings heavy and true. Opioid-related drug deaths have been steadily climbing in the United States since 1999, hitting an all-time high of 79,358 in 2022.
Curtis has said she struggled with alcohol use disorder as well. Addiction seems to run in her family, as she had a brother who overdosed on heroin when he was just 21. Additionally, her father had issues with alcohol, cocaine and heroin.
After a decade of substance abuse addiction, she got sober in 1999. As of 2025, she’s been sober for 27 years.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s Sobriety Journey
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In 2019, Jamie Lee Curtis opened up about how she found the road to recovery and sobriety.
It started with a friend. In 1998, Curtis was cooking dinner in her kitchen and paused to take five Vicodin pills with her wine. But her friend was watching her from the doorway. Curtis shared that in that moment, “I heard this voice: ‘You know, Jamie, I see you. I see you with your little pills, and you think you’re so fabulous and so great, but the truth is, you’re dead. You’re a dead woman.”
And that was the beginning of the end. “The jig was up. Now I knew someone knew. I had been nursing a secret Vicodin addiction for a very long time — over 10 years.”
Two months later, Curtis stole an entire bottle of her sister’s Vicodin prescription. “But then, when she was moving out, I knew she was going to find the empty bottle. So I wrote her a letter, and I said, ‘I’ve done a terrible thing, and I’ve stolen your pills from you, and I’m sorry.’ When I came home that night, I was terrified that she was going to be so angry at me, but she just looked at me and put her arms out and hugged me and said, ‘You are an addict and I love you, but I am not going to watch you die.’ That’s it. She didn’t wag her finger at me. She didn’t tell me anything else.”
Still, that wasn’t quite enough.
It wasn’t until February 1999 that the final push came for the actress. She read an article in Esquire titled “Vicodin, My Vicodin.” Writer Tom Chiarella told his past about being addicted to painkillers, and Curtis saw her experience reflected in the story. Curtis credits this article with inspiring her to attend her first recovery meeting. Since then, she’s been sober for over 2 decades.
What Jamie Lee Curtis’ Story Reveals About Addiction and Resilience
There are two critical takeaways from Curtis’s experience with addiction. The first is that addiction can happen to anyone at any time. Curtis was at the height of her fame and success. She was a wife and mother, had celebrity status and wealth and was writing children’s books. No one looking at her life would ever think this wholesome, happy and accomplished woman could be battling addiction.
The other takeaway is that it’s not always easy to spot addiction. Jamie Lee Curtis was a functioning addict for 10 years. No one knew for a long time what she was going through.
I was the wildly controlled drug addict and alcoholic. I never did it when I worked. I never took drugs before 5 p.m. I never, ever took painkillers at 10 in the morning. … No one. No one knew at all. Not one person knew except the people I would get [the painkillers] from.”
Public Advocacy for Mental Health and Recovery
Since getting sober, Curtis has been a strong advocate for addiction and mental health treatment. It’s what saved her, and she wants to help others who need to follow the same path towards recovery.
The actress shared that recovery is only possible when the denial around addiction stops. “[Addiction] is the only disease that is self-diagnosed. No one else can actually tell you you’re an alcoholic. … It is the secret shame [of addiction] that keeps people locked up in their disease.”
Curtis is transparent and willing to discuss just how powerful support groups and rehabilitation have been for her. “I bring sobriety with me. I have attended recovery meetings all over this world.”
The actress doesn’t hide from how much strength it takes to get sober, saying, “Getting sober remains my single greatest accomplishment.”
Being so open about such a stigmatized topic helps others recognize the importance of seeking help. Jamie Lee Curtis is a shining example of how a happy life is possible after seeking treatment.
Addiction Treatment With FHE Health
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse addiction, seek professional intervention. At FHE Health, our experienced and compassionate staff has helped hundreds of patients get through drug and alcohol use disorders.
The programs at FHE Health are tailored to each patient’s unique needs, ensuring a smooth recovery process. Contact us to learn more and take the first step toward a better tomorrow.
