Brad Pitt Opens Up About Sobriety Struggles and Mental Health Challenges
Brad Pitt's Journey Through Sobriety and Mental Health
In a revealing conversation with Esquire, Brad Pitt shared insights into a difficult chapter of his life, admitting that he has resumed drinking after a seven-year period of sobriety. The acclaimed actor, who typically keeps his personal life private, confessed to enjoying 'a few' glasses of wine, stating, 'I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon, in a more restrained manner.' He acknowledged the challenge of moderation, saying, 'I can have a few. But I can’t have a lot. I have to be professional about it.'
Pitt's path to sobriety has been anything but straightforward. In a 2017 discussion with GQ, he revealed that he couldn't remember a day since his college years without consuming alcohol or drugs. He admitted to having a deep appreciation for wine, which he recognized had spiraled out of control. By 2019, he disclosed to The New York Times that he had participated in an all-male recovery group through Alcoholics Anonymous for a year and a half. His journey towards sobriety gained public attention in 2020 when he expressed gratitude to actor Bradley Cooper for his support during that challenging time.
In the same interview, Pitt opened up about his mental health struggles, sharing that he faced suicidal thoughts during a particularly dark phase following his separation from Angelina Jolie and the subsequent estrangement from his children. 'I've never been suicidal except for one little period,' he recounted, describing the intense pain he experienced. He vividly recalled, 'I could feel the cold steel of the bullet in my head, and it felt like relief,' highlighting the severity of his emotional turmoil.
Reflecting on his suicidal thoughts, Pitt remarked, 'I understand suicide, in the sense that it's just relief. It's just looking for relief from the pain.' He credited his 'incredible survival instincts' for helping him through that tough period, stating, 'This s**t ain't easy. And you’re talking to a guy who won the lottery.'
When questioned about whether his suicidal thoughts were connected to family issues, Pitt replied, 'Family stuff... We could leave it at that.' His ongoing divorce from Jolie, which began in 2016, has been fraught with a contentious custody battle over their six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox. The situation has been further complicated as the children have sought legal action to change their surnames.