Pop superstar Justin Bieber has admitted that he tested positive for marijuana and Xanax after his 2014 DUI arrest in Miami, one of the most infamous events of his early career. At 19 years old, Bieber, already one of the biggest names in global pop music, found himself at the center of a media frenzy after being arrested for drag racing a rented yellow Lamborghini while under the influence.
Police reports from that night revealed that Bieber confessed to consuming alcohol, smoking marijuana, and taking prescription pills before driving. Toxicology tests later confirmed the presence of both marijuana and Xanax, a prescription anti-anxiety medication, in his system. The arrest led to multiple charges, including driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and driving with an expired license.
The incident shocked both fans and critics. Just a few years earlier, Bieber had been the clean-cut teen idol behind hits like Baby and One Time, adored by millions worldwide. However, this arrest exposed the darker side of sudden fame and the pressures that accompany it. Images of Bieber in a bright orange jumpsuit, slightly smirking in his mugshot, were plastered across international headlines, turning what could have been a private crisis into a public spectacle.
According to police accounts, Bieber was allegedly belligerent and uncooperative during his arrest. Officers reported that he cursed at them and initially resisted being handcuffed. When asked if he had been drinking or using drugs, Bieber reportedly replied that he’d had “a few beers” and smoked marijuana “all day.” Later, in interviews, Bieber acknowledged his poor judgment and took full responsibility for his actions.
In a 2020 documentary titled Seasons, Bieber reflected on that turbulent period of his life, admitting he was “young, reckless, and completely lost.” He described how fame at such a young age distorted his sense of reality. “Everyone around me kept saying yes,” he said. “I didn’t have real accountability. I was using drugs and alcohol to escape. I thought I was untouchable.”
The aftermath of his arrest was harsh. Bieber faced public backlash, disappointed fans, and mounting legal troubles. He entered a period of isolation, grappling with depression, anxiety, and the constant pressure of being in the public eye. “I was in a dark place,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to live that way anymore, but I didn’t know how to stop.”
After completing court-ordered anger management classes and community service, Bieber began the slow process of rebuilding both his career and his personal life. He sought therapy, reconnected with his faith, and surrounded himself with people who encouraged stability rather than chaos. His later marriage to model Hailey Baldwin (now Hailey Bieber) in 2018 marked another major turning point. Bieber credits her with grounding him and helping him regain a sense of purpose and peace.
In subsequent interviews, Bieber has spoken openly about his mental health struggles and his battle with substance abuse. He revealed that his experimentation with drugs began at a disturbingly young age — as early as 13 — and escalated during his rise to superstardom. “It got pretty dark,” he confessed in an interview with Billboard. “I started doing pretty heavy drugs, and it became a way to escape from everything that hurt.”
Today, Bieber has made a full lifestyle transformation. He’s embraced sobriety, faith, and therapy, using his platform to advocate for mental health awareness and addiction recovery. His music has also evolved, reflecting a more mature, introspective tone. Songs like Lonely and Ghost highlight the emotional toll of fame and the long journey toward healing.
Despite the ups and downs, Bieber’s comeback has been remarkable. His albums have topped charts once again, and he’s received critical praise for his authenticity and vulnerability. Fans who once feared for his future now see a man who has taken responsibility for his past and chosen growth over self-destruction.
The 2014 DUI arrest remains one of the most defining moments of Bieber’s career — a harsh wake-up call that forced him to confront the consequences of fame, excess, and immaturity. Yet, it also became the foundation for his redemption story. “I learned that no amount of money or fame can fix what’s broken inside you,” Bieber said in a 2021 interview. “You have to face yourself. You have to heal.”
Now, at 31, Bieber continues to live more privately, focusing on his marriage, his faith, and his music. The reckless teenager who once sped through Miami streets has evolved into a reflective adult who speaks candidly about his past mistakes and the lessons they taught him.
His story serves as a reminder that even the most public downfalls can lead to personal redemption — and that growth often begins the moment you stop running from the truth.