The World's Really Famous Alcoholics

There are countless alcoholics who have achieved fame over time Many of these individuals have battled their addiction to alcohol in view of the public while many others became well known after they defeated their alcoholic disease.

Something to keep in mind: This list proves that just because a person is alcoholic it does not mean that they can not have a very successful life and leave a mark upon the world. Because, let's face it, everyone on this list is certainly a famous alcoholic

Many of famous alcoholics on this list did not sober up by going to alcoholics anonymous meetings. There are many ways to get sober. And though today it is common for an individual to check into a drug and alcohol rehab center that has not always been the case throughout history.

There are famous alcoholics in every walk of life. The disease of Alcoholism has shown that it will touch people from every type of background. So, let's look at the list of some famous alcoholics.

Ulysses Grant: He was 18th president of US and was an alcoholic that had been briefly removed from the military because of his serious drinking problem. He returned to the military, leading the North to a victory in the civil war and shortly after became president. His drinking was so serious that it bankrupted him and he had money problems after leaving office.

Drew Barrymore: This actress who achieved fame before she was a teenager very famously struggled with drugs and alcohol. She went to rehab at age 13 and argues that she has been free from drugs and alcohol for many years.

John Lucas: This professional athlete played in the NBA in the 1980s before falling out of professional sports due to his drug and alcohol problem. After getting clean and sober through alcoholics anonymous he opened a clinic for professional athletes that have problems with drugs and alcohol.

Bill Wilson: He is the most famous alcoholic in one way. Due to his own alcoholism that cost him his career and health he turned his own life around and started AA to help other alcoholics conquer their addiction to alcohol. Wilson, as the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, has helped millions of people get sober.

Eric Clapton: This famous musician created several bands over the course of a many year career as an electric guitarist. He has since got clean and sober and started a recovery center for other alcoholics and drug addicts.

Ernest Hemingway: The writer, who was well known for his adventurous spirit and pithy style was a self-professed alcoholic. Like William Faulkner and Jack London he was also an alcoholic. He commited suicide at age 62.

Alexander the Great: The famous strategist and military genius was well known as one of the first publicly acknowledged alcoholics human history. Many believe that his advanced alcoholism led to his death at the age of 32.

This list represents just a tiny portion of the people who are both famous and alcoholic. The lesson in all of this is to realize that everybody, even if they are struggling with alcohol, has the chance to become famous despite their addiction problems.