Celebrities Who Overcame Chewing Tobacco Addictions and Quit After Years

Introduction

Chewing tobacco has been around for centuries, originating with the Native Americans in North America. It involves placing a wad of loose tobacco leaves, called a "chew", between the cheek and gums. The nicotine from the tobacco is then absorbed into the bloodstream via the tissues in the mouth. While chewing tobacco was once seen as an American pastime, its popularity has declined in recent decades as more people become aware of the health risks.

However, chewing tobacco is still used by certain demographics like rural communities, blue-collar workers, baseball players, and unfortunately, celebrities as well. The addiction to nicotine makes it very difficult to quit, even for famous and successful people. Here are 11 celebrities who managed to successfully give up their chewing tobacco habit.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp reportedly started chewing tobacco in his late teens. He eventually became so dependent on it that he was going through two tins per week. Depp admitted that he knew it was an unhealthy habit but it helped relax him and aided his creative process. In 2012, Depp's dental health began deteriorating rapidly due to the tobacco. He lost a tooth and had multiple procedures done to restore his smile. This was the wakeup call Depp needed. In 2015, after over two decades of chewing tobacco, Depp finally quit the habit with the support of his family and medical professionals.

How Johnny Depp quit:

• Consulted with dentists and doctors about tobacco cessation
• Removed tobacco products from his environment
• Replaced chewing habit with healthier alternatives like gum or mints
• Relied on his family for encouragement during tobacco cravings

Michael Douglas

Academy Award-winning actor Michael Douglas started smoking as a young teenage rebel in the 1960s. He transitioned to chewing tobacco after feeling self-conscious about having cigarette stained teeth as an actor. Douglas admitted he was chewing an average of 10 pieces a day - putting him at high risk for oral cancer. In 1995, Douglas met the love of his life Catherine Zeta-Jones. She despised his tobacco habit and gave him an ultimatum. In 1997, Douglas was able to quit his 30 year tobacco addiction cold turkey and proposed to Zeta-Jones that same year.

How Michael Douglas quit:

• Removed tobacco products from his home and workplace
• Switched to sugarless gum when cravings hit
• Drank more water to avoid oral fixation habits
• Committed to quitting 100% without weaning off slowly
• Received support and accountability from his fiance Catherine

Ben Affleck

Award winning actor and director Ben Affleck began smoking cigarettes as a young teen. He eventually switched over to chewing tobacco, admitting he liked the buzz it gave him on set. Affleck's chewing tobacco habit lasted for decades until 2017 when his divorce from Jennifer Garner motivated him to make major lifestyle changes. At age 45, Affleck went to rehab for alcohol addiction and quit chewing tobacco cold turkey. He emerged healthier and committed to staying clean for his family and his career.

How Ben Affleck quit:

• Checked into rehab to safely detox from all substances
• Focused on improving his overall well-being and mental health
• Removed tobacco products and paraphernalia from his surroundings
• Found new ways to manage stress without tobacco
• Prioritized spending time with family and children

Charlie Sheen

The famous Hollywood bad boy Charlie Sheen began smoking cigarettes regularly at just 12 years old. He later transitioned to chewing tobacco as an adult. At the peak of his Two and a Half Men fame in 2011, Sheen admitted he was smoking two packs a day and chewing tobacco habitually. That same year, Sheen was fired from Two and a Half Men due to his erratic behavior and substance abuse issues. His public meltdown led to a turning point. In 2011, Sheen decided to quit chewing tobacco and smoking cigarettes cold turkey. Within a year, he underwent a remarkable transformation both physically and mentally.

How Charlie Sheen quit:

• Made the firm decision to quit tobacco for good
• Focused on maintaining sobriety from drugs and alcohol
• Removed cigarettes and chewing tobacco from his environment
• Replaced tobacco oral fixation with coffee stirring sticks
• Had social support from family members

Nicole Kidman

Australian actress Nicole Kidman began dabbling with cigarettes as a teenager. During the peak of her career in the 1990s, the stress of Hollywood led to a two pack a day smoking habit. Kidman admitted to relying on cigarettes to relax and unwind. In her 30s, Kidman transitioned from cigarettes to chewing tobacco for the discreet nicotine buzz. By 2002, Kidman realized tobacco was running her life. She decided to quit for good through an oral hypnosis therapy program. It successfully rewired her brain's desire for tobacco and nicotine. Kidman has been smoke and tobacco free ever since.

How Nicole Kidman quit:

• Tried multiple methods like cold turkey, gum, patches unsuccessfully
• Underwent several sessions of hypnotherapy treatment
• Had strong support system in husband Keith Urban
• Focused on her health, career, and family as motivation
• Removed all tobacco products from her home and work spaces

Josh Brolin

Hollywood leading man Josh Brolin started early with his tobacco addiction - stealing cigarettes from his dad's carton at just 10 years old. He began chewing tobacco as a young adult to discreetly get his nicotine fix on movie sets. The chewing tobacco habit stuck with him for decades until 2014. While filming Sicario, Brolin developed a painful mouth sore that interfered with his work. This health scare motivated him to quit tobacco for good. With the support of his wife and family, Brolin stopped tobacco cold turkey and reversed years of damage to his oral health.

How Josh Brolin quit:

• Removed tobacco products from his home, office, cars
• Drank water or tea when cravings occurred
• Told friends and co-workers he was quitting for support
• Focused on oral health and had dentist monitor progress
• Chewed gum or mints for oral fixation

Jennifer Garner

Actress Jennifer Garner admitted that stress was the catalyst for her tobacco habit. She began smoking cigarettes in her 20s while struggling as an aspiring actress. Later in her career, Garner switched to smokeless tobacco pouches on the advice of a co-star as a more discreet alternative. Eventually disgusted by her addiction, Garner quit tobacco cold turkey before her wedding to Ben Affleck in 2005. She has helped hold Affleck accountable in his own struggles to quit tobacco after their divorce.

How Jennifer Garner quit:

• Made firm commitment to be tobacco-free before her wedding
• Removed all tobacco products from her home
• Changed her routines and habits associated with tobacco
• Chewed a lot of gum for the oral fixation
• Focused on her health and her relationships as motivation

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman has the physique of a superhero, but he also struggled with tobacco addiction like any human. In his early career, the stress of Hollywood led to smoking cigarettes and eventually chewing tobacco on a daily basis. As his star power rose, Jackman knew he needed to quit the habit for his health and his family. In 2007, Jackman committed to go tobacco free. He removed the products from his home and replaced the oral fixation with coffee stirrers. Jackman admitted that quitting was very difficult, but worth it to regain control and feel proud.

How Hugh Jackman quit:

• Declared quit date and committed fully to tobacco cessation
• Changed routines and avoided triggers that made him chew
• Drank lots of water and used physical activities to reduce stress
• Removed tobacco products from his surroundings
• Chewed coffee stirrers for the oral fixation

Natalie Portman

Talented actress Natalie Portman picked up smoking in 1999 at age 18 during her Harvard years. She admitted it started as a social habit that soon became regular nicotine addiction. As her career blossomed, Portman transitioned to smokeless tobacco products like snus. By 2008, Portman realized tobacco was negatively impacting her health and made the decision to quit. Along with removing tobacco from her surroundings, she practiced yoga and meditation to combat cravings and remain tobacco free.

How Natalie Portman quit:

• Replaced tobacco with healthy oral substitutes like carrots or celery
• Committed fully to tobacco cessation without tapering down use
• Practiced mindfulness, meditation, and yoga during cravings
• Sought support and accountability from friends and loved ones
• Removed triggers by keeping her surroundings tobacco free

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry, best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, has publicly struggled with tobacco addiction and substance abuse issues. Perry tried his first cigarette at age 15 and quickly became hooked. Later in his career, he turned to smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco and snus pouches to discreetly get his nicotine fix and satisfy oral cravings. At the peak of his addiction, Perry admitted he was using chewing tobacco tins full of snus daily. In 2017 at age 47, a gastrointestinal health scare motivated Perry to quit tobacco for good and he entered rehab once again.

How Matthew Perry quit:

• Focused on overall sobriety and improving his health
• Considered hypnotherapy treatment to rewire brain
• Stocked up on oral substitutes like gum, mints, lollipops
• Removed tobacco products and paraphernalia from his home
• Joined support groups to help maintain tobacco cessation

Brad Pitt

Hollywood leading man Brad Pitt was the epitome of cool with a cigarette dangling from his mouth in the 1990s. In late 2000s, Pitt made the switch to chewing tobacco as smoking became less culturally acceptable. The switch ended up being even more hazardous for his health. In 2012, after an empowering experience filming World War Z, Pitt decided to reclaim control over his life by quitting tobacco. Going cold turkey, Pitt was finally able to defeat the strong addiction after multiple failed attempts over the decades.

How Brad Pitt quit:

• Removed all tobacco products and paraphernalia
• Exercised vigorously through cravings
• Drank lots of water and ate healthy snacks
• Told friends and family for accountability and support
• Focused on role as father as motivation to stay tobacco free

Conclusion

Quitting any addiction is extremely challenging, even for the rich and famous. Tobacco and nicotine cravings can persist for months after quitting through withdrawals. But with determination and lifestyle changes, many celebrities have overcome tobacco addiction and quit after decades of use. They removed tobacco products, changed routines, found oral substitutes, and relied on support systems. Their success stories show that quitting tobacco can transform health and quality of life for the better.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.