While in the field, Us reporters often run across celebrities doing everything from smoking pot to snorting lines of cocaine in private parties and clubs. Of course, drug and alcohol use among celebrities is nothing new, but in a frightening turn, it appears to have become more publicly accepted.
One source recalls a recent star-studded New Year's Eve bash in Miami: "There were lines of coke on the table, weed everywhere. It was insane. It was a very free atmosphere."
Notes the scenester, "Coke is so not a big deal for young stars in Hollywood. It's like having a drink."
Indeed, a stay in rehab once killed a person's career, but now celebrities openly disclose their drug use in interviews: Lohan admitted to drug use in Vanity Fair; singer Fergie has been candid about her former crystal meth addiction; Justin Timberlake has admitted he was stoned when he recorded his multiplatinum CD Justified; and John Mayer - currently dating Jessica Simpson, daughter of a former Baptist minister -- gave Rolling Stone an interview while puffing on a marijuana vaporizer.
Which other stars have confessed to past drug use? What boldface names have been caught in the act? Why is drug use becoming more open in Hollywood?
Hollywood A-listers come clean about their past experiences with drugs:
"I've slept with too many women, done too many drugs and been to too many parties. I loved acid when I was at college. It was an escape. I liked mushrooms. They were like easy acid. I did like blow…Blow would dress you up for a party, but never take you there. You’re always like, This is going to be great! Then you’re just depressed.”
-- George Clooney, in 1997
“I hate heroin because I’ve been fascinated by it. I’m not immune, but I won’t do it now, at all.”
-- Angelina Jolie, in 1998
“My mind seemed to have a huge neon sign in it that blinked nonstop: COKE. GET COKE. So I did. It was great for dieting, partying and picking up my mood.”
-- Drew Barrymore (who had gone through rehab twice by age 13), in 1996
"I ended up on a shrink's couch, and he told me to write down how much I did in a week: 20 E's, 4 grams of coke, six of speed, half an ounce of hash, three bottles of Jack Daniel's, 12 bottles of red wine, 60 pints."
-- Colin Farrell, in 2003
“If someone wants to do drugs…as long as he or she isn’t corrupting minors or driving under the influence or endangering others, shouldn’t a person have that right?”
-- Brad Pitt, in 2006
