Former child star Alyson Stoner opens up about eating disorders, anxiety, and the trauma of growing up in Hollywood. This mental health & addiction recovery story explores their journey from overwork and disordered eating to therapy, sobriety, and becoming a mental health advocate.

Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.com

Connect with Alyson: https://www.instagram.com/alysonstoner, https://www.alysonstoner.com/, https://www.facebook.com/alysonstoner/

Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/semi-well-adjusted-9781250353498/

Key talking points: 

1.Alyson Stoner began working 80-hour weeks as a child actor, carrying adult responsibilities.

2. They developed disordered eating and anxiety under Hollywood’s extreme pressure.

3. Alyson lacked mental health tools and lived in survival mode for much of their youth.

4. Treatment at age 17 marked the start of their recovery from eating disorders.

5. Somatic therapy and CBT helped Alyson reconnect with their body and build coping tools.

6. They describe fame as addictive and traumatic, comparing it to an abusive relationship.

7. A sexual assault in adulthood triggered deeper reflection and trauma healing.

8. Recovery gave Alyson the freedom to set boundaries and reframe perfectionism.

9. They now work as a mental health advocate, helping reform safety standards on film sets.

10. Alyson’s story emphasizes community healing, ongoing recovery, and the power of sharing.

[00:00:00] – Intro & Alyson joins the show

[00:01:00] – Mirror or window: Alyson’s purpose in sharing

[00:03:00] – Childhood fame & emotional toll

[00:04:00] – Branded as a product in Hollywood

[00:06:00] – Industry disrupts child development

[00:09:00] – Identity confusion from early roles

[00:12:00] – “Toddler to trainwreck” pipeline

[00:14:00] – Leaving vs. staying in the industry

[00:17:00] – Eating disorders & anxiety

[00:21:00] – No mental health support on set

[00:24:00] – Addiction to adrenaline highs

[00:26:00] – Entering treatment at 17

[00:29:00] – Day 1 in treatment

[00:31:00] – Trigger cards & CBT

[00:34:00] – Learning somatic therapy

[00:36:00] – Redefining food & exercise

[00:39:00] – Fame as an abusive cycle

[00:44:00] – Becoming an advocate on set

[00:50:00] – Surviving sexual assault

[01:00:00] – Recovery, community & hope

#mentalhealthawareness #eatingdisorder