Yesterday, we discussed how drug addiction damaged the relationship between Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. Today, we’re going to talk about substance use disorder and another relationship between two famous people.

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash were singers, songwriters, and musicians. June Carter Cash was born to country music’s prominent Carter family and had worked as a singer, songwriter, musician, and dancer since she was a child. She married Johnny Cash, also a prominent musician, in 1968.

Johnny Cash also abused drugs and alcohol. The 2005 movie Walk the Line depicts these facts. There is controversy about how accurate the movie was on other accounts.

When Johnny and June met, Johnny was married to Vivian Liberto Cash and they were the parents of four daughters. While Walk the Line depicts June Carter Cash’s struggles help Johnny Cash end his addictions, Vivian Liberto Cash also battled to help Johnny Cash become sober. She and Johnny divorced in 1966 and each of them remarried (someone else) in 1968.

Johnny Cash’s case might be famous, but it’s not unusual. Drug and alcohol abuse doesn’t just affect people struggling with the abuse. This abuse affects their entire families. Friends and loved ones often struggle just as much as people who have the actual addictions.

Friends and family members might even struggle more, especially in the beginning. They often fight for their loved ones long before their loved ones realize that they have problems. Or their loved ones might deny that they have problems in the first place. Despite these struggles, family members can often only do so much. The people with the addictions have to realize they have problems and admit them.

Vivian and June’s efforts eventually helped. Unlike some of other people we’ve discussed this week, Johnny Cash found sobriety. Vivian, June, and Johnny lived long and productive lives until their deaths in the 2000s.