Sometimes when you hear a celebrity’s name in the news you just know what is going to follow. You may also have been one of the millions that knew of the addiction or hidden secret of the celebrity that suddenly the star feels necessary to reveal. However, despite the rather open nature of celebrity life, sometimes issues with addiction, trauma or mental health issues take us by surprise.

This year is no different. Here are five celebrities that came or were brought forward in the news with addiction, mental health issues or problems that seemed to really take their fans and followers by surprise. Unfortunately Cory Monteith died as a result of his addiction, a true shock to many of his dedicated fans.

1. Lady Gaga – Just this November Lady Gaga came forward in a radio interview to report that she is addicted to marijuana. According to the singer she was smoking as many as 15 or 20 joints per day and that she found them to be truly addicting. Currently she reports being clean and sober.

2. Zac Efron – Voluntarily entering a rehab facility under the radar, Zac Efron, the star of a variety of movies after his start with Disney, surprised most of his fans by taking about his recovery once he completed the program. He reportedly had an addiction to cocaine but, with support of family and friends, he sought help for the addiction.

3. Elizabeth Vargas – A very well-known and respected journalist and TV anchor, Elizabeth Vargas voluntarily sought treatment for her self-reported alcohol addiction. She credits strong support from her employers along with the encouragement and love of her family as her inspiration for seeking help.

4. Catherine Zeta-Jones – Although originally diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011, she entered into a treatment facility again in April of 2013. The actress did this as a proactive option to deal with issues related to her health issue.

5. Cory Monteith – Cory Monteith was discovered dead in a hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada of a reported accidental overdose of a combination of heroin and alcohol. He had attempted rehab in the past but was planning on completing another program prior to his tragic death.

While stories with celebrity addiction continue to make front page news, it is the tragedy, on a uniquely personal level, that we all can understand and empathize with, no matter what level of celebrity status exists.

Sherry Gaba LCSW, a psychotherapist and life, love and recovery coach, is featured on Celebrity Rehab on VH1. Sherry is the author of  The Law of Sobriety, which uses the Law of Attraction to help people recover from addiction; she is also a contributor to Conscious Entrepreneurs, and to several e-books: Empowerment Manual: Finding Purpose with Intention, Filling the Empty Heart: 5 Keys to Transforming Love Addiction. The e-books Relapse Prevention and Eliminate Limiting Beliefs can be downloaded free of charge at www.sherrygaba.com. Contact Sherry for webinars, teleseminars, coaching packages and speaking engagements.

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