In the 1990s, Heather Locklear was a household name and one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. However, in the years that followed, her career began to decline. Was this due to poor career decisions or personal struggles? The *Money Talks* actress has faced numerous challenges, leading her to multiple stints in rehab. Along with battles in her personal life, including breakups, romantic disappointments, and legal issues, Locklear’s public image took a hit.
In 2018, a source close to Locklear told *Page Six*, “We would hate to see her talent and beauty go to waste. But she’s battling so many demons. She has no choice but to return to treatment and try again.” Locklear’s life has seen dramatic ups and downs, with some heartbreaking moments when fans witnessed their idol’s fall from grace. Yet, despite these challenges, there are signs that she is slowly turning her life around. It seems that hitting rock bottom may have been the catalyst for her to start rising again.
Locklear’s struggles with substance abuse have been widely publicized, and it’s known that she has sought therapy multiple times. When she was admitted to a treatment center for the second time in 2019, there was hope that this time things might be different. However, a source told *People* magazine, “It’s difficult to predict if this time will be different. The problem is that she’s stuck in a cycle, repeating the same behaviors without trying something new. She may have been to rehab twenty or even twenty-five times.”
The source also highlighted the financial burden of these treatment programs and the frequent detoxifications involved. Locklear was reportedly seeking help for “issues with alcohol, pills, and her mental health,” with the insider adding, “She doesn’t want anyone to hold her accountable.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available through the National Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Being in the public eye means that personal struggles often become headline news. Every mistake or setback becomes a story, and Heather Locklear’s battles with addiction and mental health have been no exception.
In 2008, when Locklear entered a rehab center in Arizona, the news was made public, stripping her of the privacy most people would have in such a situation. Her representative at the time told *E! News*, “There is no statement, and we will not comment on Heather’s location.” While she was able to maintain some level of privacy, it was reported that she spent about four weeks at the Sierra Tucson treatment center, focusing on her mental health.
An agent for the actress explained, “Heather has been dealing with anxiety and depression. She entered a medical facility for appropriate diagnosis and treatment and requested a thorough review of her medications.”
Heather Locklear is fortunate to have a strong support network of people who genuinely care about her well-being. However, recovery ultimately rests on her shoulders, and she must take full responsibility for seeking help.
In 2018, Locklear was back in the headlines, this time for her struggles with addiction and mental health, as well as her apparent refusal to accept help from those around her. Her family’s anguish was clear, and the news was deeply troubling.
“Heather is not getting the required medical attention or mental health treatment. It’s not just about treating the addiction; it’s also about receiving the proper diagnosis and care for any underlying mental health conditions,” a source told *People*. “She tends to isolate herself, which only makes the other issues worse. You can’t force someone to get help; they have to want it. But when someone is struggling, it’s difficult for them to endure and make the right decisions. Her friends and family are desperate to help.”
On a positive note, Locklear eventually did receive help and celebrated one year of sobriety in 2020. She shared her milestone on Instagram, posting a quote attributed to Maya Angelou and later promising to give out hugs. “One year of sobriety today!!!” she announced.
Over the years, the public has closely followed Heather Locklear’s journey, as her personal struggles have been impossible to keep private. This includes her battles with addiction, which she has faced with the support of caring friends and family.
Though Locklear initially kept her recovery private, she eventually chose to celebrate her sobriety publicly. However, she has remained relatively quiet about the path she took to get there.
At one time, Locklear and Denise Richards were friendly neighbors, but their relationship soured when Richards began dating Locklear’s ex-husband, Richie Sambora. Although Locklear and Richards weren’t best friends, they did have a connection through mutual friend Charlie Sheen, who introduced them while working together on *Spin City*.
Sambora’s relationship with Richards reportedly began after he and Locklear had already split, and Sheen and Richards were also in the midst of their own divorce. Despite this, the news of the relationship likely hurt Locklear. “I’m sorry, but our friendship had to end,” Richards told *People* in 2006. “The last thing I wanted was to create a media frenzy, especially as I’m going through a divorce.”
Richards explained to *Us Weekly* that what brought her and Sambora together was their shared experience of going through divorces. “I didn’t steal someone’s husband,” she said. “Did I date a former friend’s ex-husband? Yes. Did I break up a marriage? No. If Heather and I were still friends, I would never have pursued Richie. But our friendship had ended before Richie and I got together.”
Despite her career slowing down, Locklear has continued to seek opportunities to make a comeback.
Heather Locklear was a major star in the 1980s and 1990s, best known for her role as Amanda Woodward on *Melrose Place*. Even after the show ended, she continued to land roles, though the number of leading roles she received declined over time. Hollywood is often unkind to older actors, and Locklear had to confront her personal issues as well.
Was she ready to leave acting behind for good? Not at all. Locklear was thrilled to be cast in the 2021 television movie *Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story*. Having been sober for nearly two years, many viewed this as her comeback and hoped for great things from her.
Reflecting on her upcoming 60th birthday in 2021, she said, “I’ve always loved getting older because it means I’m alive. I’m thrilled. I don’t care about looking a certain way. My parents still love me. My daughter adores me.”
