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Public figures walk a fine line between revered role models and vilified by their once-adoring public for any transgression. The pressures and stress of fame has caused dozens of celebrities to spiral into depression, substance abuse and suicide, but some have been able to resurrect their failing careers and find a second wind. Along the way, they have taught us a thing or two of coming back from the brink. Here are five lessons learned from celebrities about repairing a reputation.

1. Johnny Cash

Out of the cotton fields of Arkansas, Johnny Cash revolutionized country music with his sonorous voice and relentless rhythms, but the trappings and temptations of stardom led to a drug and alcohol addiction that ruined his personal and professional lives. With the help of his eventual wife June Carter, Cash got clean, re-committed himself to his Christian faith, and set about reviving his musical career. The renaissance introduced Cash to new generations of fans, teaming him up with producer Rick Rubin for the critically-acclaimed American Recordings album series.

How did Cash come back? A combination of a dedicated soulmate who saw him through his bleakest and lowest moments, his Christian beliefs, and a legendary music producer ensured that Cash always had the tools and drive to leave behind his reputation as an alcoholic and pill popper.

2. Britney Spears

Imagine being only 18 years old, and watching your first album become the best selling debut by a female artist of all time. In 1999, Britney Spears launched a new wave of pop music with her ‘girl next door’ look and effervescent songs. However, eight years later, a troubled marriage and other family issues led to a well-publicized meltdown. Spears shaved her hair and attacked photographers, leading her then-husband to receive custody of her children, and her to be committed to a psychiatric ward. Since then, a change in her music management and conservatorship of assets by her father and her attorney has seen her stock and credibility rise dramatically.

What was Spears’ secret? She has evolved her image, going from coy schoolgirl to a sultry sex goddess as her fanbase matured. Psychiatric and legal counseling put distance between the people who facilitated her 2007-2008 meltdown, helping her focus on repairing her mental health and entertainment career.

3.Kim Kardashian

The American socialite suffered a double-whammy of bad publicity, when not only was a sex tape of her leaked by Vivid Entertainment in 2007, Kim Kardashian dropped charges against the adult entertainment company and settled for $5 million. Four years later, Kardashian’s extravagant and exorbitant marriage to Kris Humphries of the New York Nets ended after just 72 days. Despite the personal crises, she’s recovered to launch a number of fragrances, endorsed startup companies, starred in a popular reality TV show about her family, and entered into a relationship with Kanye West.

Kim Kardashian has benefited from having keen business acumen and a family with very deep pockets. Even as she’s struggled with legal issues – her marriage to Humphries was not officially terminated until April 2013, and she and her sisters were sued for false marketing by one of their endorsed companies – Kardashian business and entertainment network reaches far and wide enough to cover these minor pitfalls.

4. Robert Downey, Jr

“Iron Man” had everything going for him in the mid-1990s – a string of successful movies, an Oscar nomination, and a guest spot on Ally McBeal. But a drug addiction that Downey claimed started at the age of 8 derailed him, landing him in jail on numerous occasions and making him persona non grata in Hollywood. After more than five years of rehab and jail, Downey was ready for a change. With financial help from Mel Gibson, Downey gradually pulled himself back into the entertainment world, eventually hitting it out of the park with lead roles in the Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes movies.

For Robert Downey, Jr., repairing his reputation came from hitting rock bottom. He was tired of the cycle of jail-rehab-release, and knew that if he didn’t put his addiction behind him once and for all, he would have no future worth living for.

5. David Hasselhoff

From Baywatch to Knight Rider, David Hasselhoff was the man for 80s TV. A music and theater career, and willingness to poke fun at his most famous roles, ensured that even as those shows became examples of the campiness of the decade, Hasselhoff’s popularity endured. That was until 2007, when his daughter uploaded a video of her very drunk father failing to simply eat a hamburger. Hasselhoff’s struggles with alcoholism continued even after losing visitation rights to his children, being rushed to hospital on numerous occasions after consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol. Since then, the Hoff has staged a comeback, hosting a number of television shows and events, and becoming a judge on both America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent.

Much like Robert Downey, Jr., Hasselhoff’s redemption came from the humiliation of his daughter berating him for his alcoholism. His natural gift for entertainment has helped him move on from that low point, and enjoy new found success.