Corey Haim is not the first—or the last—former child star who became a drug addict. Some make a full recovery. Many, sadly, do not. Whether it’s the fame at a young age and an inability to cope when it goes away, or the idea that, thanks to their celebrity status, they can get away with anything, there are a million possible explanations why child stars end up turning to drugs and alcohol later in life. It’s not a nice trend, but based on all this evidence, it’s very real indeed. Jodie Sweetin Role : Stephanie Tanner on Full House Drug of Choice : Coke, alcohol, ecstasy, but mostly crystal meth Where Are They Now? : Her memoir unSweetined , about coming off drugs after her public “sobriety” came out in November Dana Plato Role : Kimberly Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes Drug of Choice : Valium and alcohol Where Are They Now? : The cautionary tale of what can happen to child stars, she died of an overdose of painkillers which was later ruled a suicide. She was 34 Corey Feldman Role : Cory Haim ‘s friend and co-star, he had a string of hits including The Goonies , Stand by Me , The Lost Boys , and License to Drive Drug of Choice : Heroin, among other drugs Where Are They Now? : Constantly trying to get his career back on track. He and Haim co-starred in a direct-to-DVD sequel of The Lost Boys in 2008 Danny Bonnaduce Role : Danny Partridge on The Partridge Family Drug of Choice : Cocaine, crack, and steroids Where Are They Now? : A demi-celebrity since the ’90s as he publicly battled his demons on various reality programs and hosted some talk shows and radio shows, he’s now involved in “celebrity” boxing Lief Garrett Role : A singer and costar on TV shows Family and The Odd Couple Drug of Choice : Heroin, among other drugs Where Are They Now? : Arrested for heroin possession in February; now out on bail Todd Bridges Role : Willis Jackson on Diff’rent Strokes Drug of Choice : Cocaine Where Are They Now? : Seemingly on the straight and narrow these days, he had a recurring role on Everybody Hates Chris Brian Bonsall Role : Little Andy Keaton on Family Ties Drug of Choice : Alcohol and marijuana Where Are They Now? : Already on probation for assault, he was arrested for marijuana possession in February Tatum O’Neal Role : The youngest-ever Oscar winner for her role in Paper Moon Drug of Choice : Heroin Where Are They Now? : Following her divorce from tennis player John McEnroe, she still occasionally acts Edward Furlong Role : John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day Drug of Choice : Cocaine and heroin Where Are They Now? : Filming The Green Hornet . Anthony Michael Hall Role : A member of the Brat Pack who starred in The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles Drug of Choice : Went to rehab for alcohol at 17 Where Are They Now? : Still acting and recently shot episodes of CSI: Miami and Community Brad Renfro Role : The title character in The Client Drug of Choice : Heroin Where Are They Now? : Died of an overdose in 2008 at 25. Bobby Driscoll Role : Starred in Disney movies of the ’40s and ’50s including Song of the South , So Dear to My Heart , and Treasure Island Drug of Choice : Arrested for marijuana in 1956, but also a heavy heroin user Where Are They Now? : A fixture at Andy Warhol’s Factory, he died penniless in the East Village at 31. Mackenzie Phillips Role : Julie Cooper Horvath on One Day at a Time Drug of Choice : Cocaine and heroin Where Are They Now? : Did you miss this ? Drew Barrymore Role : First rose to fame as Gertie in E.T. Drug of Choice : In her autobiography she talks about drinking, smoking pot, and snorting coke before her 14th birthday Where Are They Now? : She’s Drew Fucking Barrymore!
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A Field Guide to Child Stars Gone Bad [Sad Trends]
