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7 business leaders who've been completely open about their struggles with alcohol and drugs

Allana Akhtar   

7 business leaders who've been completely open about their struggles with alcohol and drugs
audrey gelman

Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Audrey Gelman, CEO of co-working space The Wing, posted on Twitter to celebrate three years sober.

  • Professionals all over the country - including those in business, tech, and finance - struggle with alcohol and drug abuse.
  • Here are seven successful executives who have opened up about their past drug and alcohol use.
  • Many of them recovered and went on to run successful businesses, like The Wing and Twitch.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more.

Addiction can impact anyone - including highly successful business people.

The number of fatal drug overdoses in the US has risen significantly between 1999 and 2017, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the world's alcohol consumption is set to rise by 17% over the next decade.

Pressure to drink at work and social events can contribute to alcohol abuse. This is especially common in the tech and finance industries, where there is often a pervasive drinking culture

Highly successful founders and investors - from The Wing cofounder to shoe magnate Steve Madden - have struggled with addiction in the past.

Here are seven successful business people who are open about their past alcohol and drug abuse.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) to get confidential, free, 24/7 support for individuals and family members facing substance use disorders. The service offers referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and more.



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