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As one of the founding members of the boy band One Direction, Liam Payne turned to alcohol to cope with fame during the pinnacle of the band’s success, which lasted from 2010 to 2015. Because he and his bandmates were just teenagers at the time, Liam stated, “We were always locked in a hotel room at night.” Lonely and frustrated over some aspects of the industry, he turned to alcohol and prescription drugs and struggled with his mental health.
Like many people struggling with depression and mental health issues, lonely individuals often turn to drugs and alcohol. One study revealed approximately 63% of adults 45 years of age and older who struggled with substance abuse also reported loneliness. Continue reading to learn more about how Liam Payne overcame his alcohol addiction and took steps towards healing, and how you can too.
Liam Payne’s Journey Toward Recovery and Mental Health Challenges
Liam Payne was born on August 29, 1993, in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. He began singing at age 12 and joined a production company called Pink Productions to help showcase his voice. In 2008, at the age of 14, Payne auditioned for the show X-Factor and sang for Simon Cowell. He made it through the first round of the competition with the song Cry Me A River, written by Arthur Hamilton. He, along with Harry Styles, Zayne Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, failed to make it into the “boys” category of the competition. Instead, the five were asked to be a part of a new group and were invited to continue on in the competition together. Throughout the remainder of the competition, they were sponsored by Simon Cowell and made it to third place. Even though the group gained a huge following, they failed to win, but Cowell offered them a contract to sign with his label, Syco.
Payne’s alcohol addiction didn’t happen overnight. He began using as a way to cope with the pressures of the spotlight while he was a teenager. During his time in One Direction, Liam Payne said he also struggled with thoughts of suicide.
One Direction is often considered one of the biggest boy bands of all time. The group recorded five albums and managed to surpass records held by the Beatles. In 2016, almost a year after the band went on hiatus, Payne signed a solo record deal with Capitol Records. In 2017, his debut single Strip That Down made it to No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 100.
When the band went on hiatus, Liam was able to get his life back on track for nearly a year with the help of ex-addict and comedian Russell Brand. The two attended meetings together at the Focus 12 treatment center in Saint Cloud, MN.
Payne fell back into bad habits during the COVID lockdown. “If you’re on Zoom you can probably get away with being a bit tipsy when you’re not supposed to be,” he stated. He began drinking again and put on weight, which had many of his fans concerned for his welfare.
In 2022, Liam suffered backlash, leaving fans asking, “What did Liam Payne do?” He appeared on the Impaulsive podcast and stated, “From what I’ve heard, part of the reason One Direction was made was because of Simon’s promise to me that, ‘In two years, I’ll make this work for you.'”
These comments began his downward spiral. One year after the podcast, Payne admitted himself into a Louisiana treatment facility, where he spent 100 days battling alcohol addiction.
Advocating Against Addiction
In a YouTube video to his fans titled I’m Back, Payne explained the turning point for him was watching his loved ones hurt due to his mistreatment. He was also frustrated with his career. He sought rehab so he could be the best for his son. In the video, Payne also apologized to his past bandmates.
Less than 10% of individuals with drug or alcoholism seek treatment. Many are in denial about their condition. Payne recognized he needed help and sought treatment on his own.
Impacting Others
Alcoholism became part of his life until he was 29. As of July, Payne says he’s nearly 6 months sober and said, “I feel amazing. I feel really, really good, and the support from fans has been really, really good, so I’m super happy.”
Liam announced he’d be performing in South America throughout September 2023 in locations including Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico to help promote his new album. He feels as if he’s moved forward through the recovery process and no longer needs alcohol to deal with daily issues. Admitting you’re powerless over your addiction and need help is one of the first steps to recovery.
Payne says he still struggles with sobriety but wants to be the best dad he can be for his son. He tries to be there for Bear by seeing him two to three times a week. “I make sure when I see him, he has 100% of my time. I make sure I’m not on my phone.” Alcoholism is a lifelong disease, but having a purpose and a focus is one way to help overcome the addiction.
Choosing Treatment
Inpatient treatment is often the best choice, especially when the addiction is accompanied by mental health issues. At FHE Health, we offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs and provide a step-down program to help you integrate yourself back into your life. Family support from loved ones can be an integral part of your recovery.
Alcoholism affects individuals from all walks of life. Without treatment, alcoholism can lead to a variety of health problems, destroy relationships and ruin a career you’ve worked hard to build. At FHE Health, we can help you get your life back on track. Contact us to learn more about our plans and how you can get started today.
