Natasha Lyonne Opens Up About Relapse After Years of Sobriety, Urges Others to Keep Fighting
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Natasha Lyonne, known for her candidness and resilience, has publicly revealed that she has experienced a relapse after years of sobriety. The actor, who has been open about her past struggles with addiction, took to X (formerly Twitter) on January 24, 2026, to share her journey and encourage others facing similar battles. “Recovery is a lifelong process,” Lyonne wrote. “Anyone out there struggling, remember you’re not alone. Grateful for love & smart feet.”
Lyonne’s history with addiction has been well documented. In the early 2000s, she faced several public challenges, including a 2001 DUI arrest and a 2005 hospitalization during methadone treatment intended for heroin users. She completed court-mandated rehabilitation in 2006 and maintained sobriety for nearly two decades, as confirmed in a 2024 interview with the Sunday Times. Reflecting on her past in a 2012 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lyonne described addiction as a terrifying spiral and credited the support of loved ones for helping her pull through.
Her recent announcement on X was both raw and hopeful. She tweeted, “Took my relapse public more to come,” followed by a message of encouragement: “Stay honest, folks. Sick as our secrets. If no one told ya today, I love you. No matter how far down the scales we have gone, we will see how our experience may help another. Keep going, kiddos. Don’t quit before the miracle. Wallpaper your mind with love. Rest is all noise & baloney.”
Fans and fellow recovery advocates quickly responded with messages of support and admiration for her vulnerability. One commenter on Reddit noted, “10 years sober is an insanely impressive achievement for a struggling addict. I hope she realizes that.” Another shared, “As someone in the midst of a relapse, I needed to see this.”
Lyonne also referenced her upcoming film, Bambo, which tells the story of a boxer-promoter father navigating a chaotic life with his daughter. She wrote, “Gonna do it for baby Bambo,” signaling her commitment to moving forward.
Her openness about relapse underscores the complex and ongoing nature of addiction recovery, a message echoed by experts at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA emphasizes that recovery is a continuous journey and encourages those struggling to seek help through resources like their National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Public figures like Lyonne play a crucial role in destigmatizing addiction and encouraging honest conversations about relapse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 50,000 people in the United States died from opioid overdoses in 2024 alone, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and support.
Her message also resonates with the principles outlined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which stresses that setbacks are common in recovery but do not signify failure. Instead, they can be a powerful part of the healing process when met with compassion and persistence.
As Lyonne continues to share her story, she offers a beacon of hope to those grappling with addiction, reminding them that they are not alone and that recovery, while challenging, is always possible.
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