In a recently published New York Times article, Brad Pitt opened up about his personal struggles with alcoholism, as well as his time spent in Alcoholics Anonymous. In 2016, the actor split from his long-time wife, Angelina Jolie. The two were involved in a 12-year relationship and parented 6 children together. News of their split sent shockwaves through the nation, as almost everyone had come to consider the two stars one of the most solid and iconic couples in Hollywood.
As it turns out, the divorce (instigated by Angelina), was more a result of Brad’s ongoing struggles with alcoholism than anything else. Many news outlets reported that the final straw between the couple was an intense argument they had while on a private jet. While this very well may have been the case, it seems as though there was a bit more to the story.
The Beginning of a Career in Acting
Brad Pitt began his acting career in 1987 in the television series “21 Jumpstreet”. Since his career began, he has been in innumerable major motion pictures and even landed himself an Academy Word for production. There certainly is a stigma in the entertainment industry as far as drug addiction and alcoholism go – many stars, of all ages and professional backgrounds – have grappled with substance dependency.
The pressure of constantly being in the spotlight becomes too overwhelming, and celebrities turn to drugs and alcohol as a method of self-medication. Although he did not confirm how long his personal struggles with alcoholism lasted, he attributed Alcoholics Anonymous to help him get back on the right track, and ultimately commit to a life of sobriety.
Was Brad Pitt an Alcoholic?
In his interview with The New York Times, Pitt stated that AA was a “safe space where there was little judgment, and therefore little judgment of yourself.” He discussed some of the more dark times he had been through recently, and the impact AA had on his self-discovery. “The fact is, we all carry pain, grief, and loss,” he said. “We spend most of our time hiding it, but it’s there, it’s in you. So you open up those boxes.” He further noted, “It was actually really freeing just to expose the ugly sides of yourself. There’s great value in that.”
Since entering himself into Alcoholics Anonymous in 2016, and remaining actively immersed in the program for a year and a half, it seems as though Pitt has turned over a new leaf. He recently appeared in box office hit “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, and is working hard to continue making reparations with his ex-wife and children.
Get the Help You Need
If you or someone you love has grappled with alcoholism, help is available. In more severe cases, inpatient treatment comes as a highly recommended first step, followed by immersion in an ongoing treatment program (such as Alcoholics Anonymous). Because substance dependency is such a personal battle, it is important to accurately determine which method of treatment is right for you. Our experienced clinicians are available to discuss treatment options at any time of day — please feel free to give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Published on: 2019-09-09
Updated on: 2024-10-08
