Josh Brolin Shares Truth on His Sobriety After Being "Born to Drink"

As a compassionate observer, I find myself deeply moved by the stories of these individuals who have bravely faced their battles with substance abuse. Each one of them has walked a path fraught with challenges, yet they’ve emerged stronger and more resilient.

Josh Brolin’s sobriety was a hard-fought journey.

In his recently published autobiography titled “From Under the Truck”, the star of “No Country for Old Men” shared insights as to why he found that particular way of life a bit unnatural for him.

In the book, as reported by The Times and published on November 16th, the actor wrote, “Drinking is in my blood,” or alternatively, “I was destined to drink.” He further explained that his mother had a drinking habit similar to his own, and he grew up learning to drink like a man, mirroring the drinking habits of his mother.

In 2013, at the age of 56, I found my inspiration for a new journey towards sobriety. After an evening filled with alcohol, I paid a visit to my beloved 99-year-old grandmother on her deathbed. Witnessing her and contemplating the years that still lay ahead for me, I made a personal decision to embrace a different way of living moving forward, just as the actor from Milk did when sharing his story with an outlet.

He remarked, “I realized that moment would be my final drink,” he said. “I enjoy growing older. It’s as if it gives me the perfect reason to say, ‘Alright, it’s time to calm down, there’s no more need for constant whirlwinds.’

And since giving up alcohol, the Oscar nominee hasn’t looked back.

Brolin expressed his preference, stating, ‘I enjoy being sober.’ He finds it more enjoyable and believes there’s no experience he’d rather have without the influence of alcohol.

One individual has been a constant support throughout my journey, and that’s my partner, Kathryn Boyd. In 2021, Brolin publicly acknowledged her as the one who stood by him during his most difficult times and celebrated with him in his happiest moments. The actor, who is a father to Westlyn Reign (6), Chapel Grace (3) with Boyd, Trevor (36) and Eden (30) from his previous marriage with Alice Adair, also highlighted how his life transformation has positively influenced his relationships with his children.

Sobriety is when your kids gaze at you with trust, a feeling reflected in their eyes and posture (you can sense it in their gaze, and the way they approach you). This trust stems from the knowledge that they’re not being molded according to an ideal, but appreciated for the unique growth they represent, like original flowers blooming in a garden.

For a look at more stars who have opened up about their sobriety journey, keep reading.

The main actor of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” gave up alcohol in 2022, admitting he felt trapped by it. On the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, Holland stated, “I was indeed addicted to alcohol and I’m not trying to hide that fact.” He added, “Anyone who drinks a beer every day likely has some level of dependency on it.

Then, you’d arrive at a point where you might think, “Gee, I wish I hadn’t had that final drink,” the actor went on. And the next morning, you’d find yourself with a throbbing headache.

After adopting the new lifestyle, Holland found that he’s been sleeping more soundly and managing issues more effectively.

In my own words, I’d say, “Previously, minor issues on set used to upset me significantly, but now I can handle them more easily. My mind feels clearer and sharper than ever before. I also feel more energetic and healthy.

In a different phrasing, the main actor from “Hunt for Red October” seldom discusses his 40-year-long struggle with sobriety.

He mentioned that he doesn’t frequently bring up the topic, but occasionally does so if it seems appropriate. He has been sober for 39 years now, having achieved sobriety on February 23, 1985.

Describing his life following his relocation from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec shared, “For two years straight, I faced a blazing predicament daily. It seemed as though I inhaled a line of cocaine that stretched from here to Saturn. We even brought it home with us. In essence, cocaine was like coffee during that era; everyone was using it constantly throughout the day.

And after quitting the drug, he soon turned to alcohol—only to also quit that dependency.

Today, he relies on the city around him.

He mentioned that New York brings him peace. As he wanders around, he discovers parts of it he’s never seen before. He’ll gaze at a structure and think, ‘I never realized that about that building, those doors.’ He spends time with his friends over meals and coffee.

Back in April 2024, the actress from The Princess Diaries announced that she has been sober for over five years. In her own words to The New York Times, she expressed, “This achievement feels significant to me.

Her thoughts were straightforward. She admitted, “Deep within me, I knew it wasn’t suitable.” Feeling intensely, she added, “It seemed so extreme to say, ‘Absolutely not,’ but absolutely not. If something triggers an allergic reaction or causes anaphylaxis in you, you don’t debate it. So I stopped debating it.

She’s pleased with the choice she made, as she expressed, “I find things are improved for me.” In her words, “It served as a stepping stone, and I dislike dwelling on negative feelings.

Back in May 2023, the former member of One Direction marked a milestone by completing 100 days without alcohol. At that moment, he expressed his feelings by saying, “I feel fantastic! I feel truly excellent, and the support from fans and everyone has been tremendous.

His struggles commenced during the peak of One Direction craze. Speaking candidly, he mentioned that in the band, it seemed necessary to keep us confined due to its immense popularity—and there was always a minibar available. At some point, he decided to have his own party, which continued for several years of his life.

He has been open about his recovery from substance abuse. In June 2021, he admitted to being over a month sober and stated that it was only when he saw photos of himself on a boat looking bloated that he realized he needed to make a change. He called this look his “pills-and-booze face,” and said his appearance had greatly increased due to substance use. He didn’t like the way he looked, so he decided to turn things around.

During her acceptance speech for the 2018 Woman of the Year Award at the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House – a home assisting women in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction – Moore discussed the “self-sabotaging journey” that came close to halting her professional progress.

In simpler terms, the person mentioned that there are significant instances in our lives that mold us into who we become and the paths we choose. They shared an experience early in their career where they were heading towards self-destruction despite achievements. Regardless of their successes, they didn’t feel worthy enough. They admitted to having no regard for their own worth, which led them to a critical point in their life. At that time, it wasn’t clear what was causing this situation, but they suggested it might have been some kind of divine intervention.

In 2012, Moore expressed gratitude towards two individuals who weren’t particularly acquainted with, for presenting her with a sort of ultimatum to change her lifestyle. She humorously stated, “Unless I was deceased, I had to appear,” implying that she was told she needed to make an appearance. Furthermore, she was offered the opportunity to alter the trajectory of her life before it crumbled into ruins.

Moore pointed out that they perceived more of him than he did himself. He expressed his deep gratitude because without their insight and faith in him, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

In the year 2022, it was disclosed by a former star of the popular series “Friends” that he had spent approximately $9 million on his journey towards sobriety, having developed an addiction to alcohol and drugs at a tender age. His battles with substance abuse can be traced back to when he was 14 years old, during which time he began consuming alcoholic beverages such as Budweiser and Andrès Baby Duck, and later moved on to experimenting with medications like Vicodin, Xanax, and OxyContin.

In a 2022 article published in The New York Times, Perry admitted to feigning back injuries and migraines for some time. This admission came after he had achieved 18 months of sobriety. He stated that he would wake up needing 55 Vicodin each day and would devise strategies to obtain them. As a drug addict, he explained, everything was about numbers: he’d take three at one location, five at another because he’d be there longer, all to avoid becoming gravely ill. It was an exhausting routine but necessary for his survival.

He noted, “I wasn’t doing it to feel high or to feel good. I certainly wasn’t a partyer; I just wanted to sit on my couch, take five Vicodin and watch a movie. That was heaven for me. It no longer is.”

In 2022, Cyrus openly discussed her struggle with an addiction to Xanax, sharing that she’s been in recovery since 2020. Speaking to Rolling Stone, she explained, “Xanax provided a sense of structure during the time when I desperately needed it, as I didn’t want to be aimlessly wandering in my thoughts.” She further added, “It offered me hope.

The performer mentioned, ‘When I realized there was a momentary respite from the noise and a way to dull your sorrow, it was all done.’

In my own words, I’d express it as: At one point, my friends seemed to tacitly approve of my drug use, which led me down a dark, bottomless abyss. However, during the pandemic, I started noticing difficulties and felt emotionally disconnected. I found myself constantly dozing off and struggling to stay awake, as I had sunk so deeply into the issue.

She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”

16 years ago, the former star of Parenthood had been abstaining from alcohol and drugs. However, following a motorbike accident in 2020, he resorted to using Vicodin.

For about the past two months, he mentioned during his “Armchair Expert” podcast, “I’ve been using them quite a lot, truthfully, but I’m not entirely sure…I’m on them throughout the day,” he said. “Since I have a prescription, I’m permitted to take them at a certain dosage. Additionally, I occasionally enhance their effect.

He went on to express his dislike for the situation, admitting he was deceiving others. He recognized the need to stop, but his tolerance for the substance had risen dramatically, causing him to consume about eight 30-milligram doses daily. He acknowledged that such an amount would lead to a severe withdrawal and felt increasingly afraid. As he began to feel isolated, he carried a heavy secret within him.

2018 saw the actress who starred in Halloween openly discussing her decade-long struggle with opiate addiction that started in the late ’80s, following a minor cosmetic procedure to address her familial puffy eyes. This simple prescription drastically altered her life trajectory. “I embarked on a 10-year journey of stealing and deceiving,” she confided in People, “all while hiding it from everyone.

In the summer of 1998, when Curtis’s sister visited and brought some prescribed painkillers for a rib injury, Curtis realized she had reached her lowest point. As she told the publication with tears in her eyes, recalling the memory, “I knew she had them stowed away in our guest room closet.” Essentially, I took all of her opiates before she left. I knew she would eventually discover her missing pills and pack her suitcase. So, I wrote a note and placed it on her suitcase. When she returned home that day, she wrapped her arms around me and expressed her love, concern, and unwillingness to watch me self-destruct.

On February 3, 1999, she went to her first meeting, a day that also marked the time she shared her struggle with her filmmaker spouse, Christopher Guest. As Curtis put it, he was astonished because he had never suspected it before. However, she’s been sober ever since then.

In 2021, Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance abuse issues, publicly announced a significant achievement in her recovery. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, she declared, “For the first time in a long while, I’m proud to say that it’s been over two and a half years since my last drink of alcohol.” She further explained, “I came to the realization that abstaining from alcohol was not beneficial for me in my life.

She commented, “It’s quite amusing. When we expose who we truly are, our secrets, and the efforts we’ve put in, it feels both empowering and exposed simultaneously.

Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she refrains from using the term “sober” as she doesn’t wish to be perceived as a flawless, pious individual.

She said in 2023, ‘I was constantly telling myself, “I can conquer this, I will find a solution.” But then it dawned on me, “I have never truly mastered this skill, and I probably never will.”‘

During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” battled a cocaine addiction. However, his friend Will Arnett intervened and had a frank conversation with him regarding his problematic behavior.

During his 2022 interview on the Smartless podcast, Cooper shared that it was then for the first time he acknowledged he had issues with substance abuse, an experience he would never forget.

Citing Arnett as the catalyst, Cooper mentioned, “He bravely had a tough talk with me which led me to contemplate and eventually make the decision to alter my lifestyle by becoming sober.

In simpler terms, the actor who played in Fight Club had battled alcohol addiction for quite some time before being helped to overcome it by Cooper. During the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, he acknowledged this when Cooper presented him with an award, saying that every day has been happier since then because of Cooper’s help.

In September 2023, the former star of Cruel Intentions posted on Instagram that it had been the longest time since their teen years that they hadn’t used some form of nicotine or cannabis, along with other substances.

He also expressed gratitude for the liberation experienced after overcoming addictions and freeing himself from substances, stating instead, “The feeling of relief, lucidity, and a deeper sense of spiritual awareness is truly wonderful.

Following a public announcement about six years of sobriety during a tour in 2018, the singer later astounded fans by releasing the candid song “Sober”, disclosing that she had experienced a relapse.

Mom, I truly apologize for being under the influence again, and Dad, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for the spilled drinks on the floor. To those who have always stood by me, I’m sorry, we’ve been here before, but right now, I am not sober,” she sang.

A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.

Two weeks ago, she shared on Instagram that her struggle with addiction has always been an open book. She’s come to realize that this disease doesn’t vanish or lessen over time; instead, it’s a battle she’s still fighting and hasn’t won completely yet. Now, she needs time to mend and concentrate on staying sober and embarking on her recovery journey. The affection you’ve all shown her will forever be cherished, and she eagerly awaits the moment when she can announce victory over this challenge. For now, she’ll keep battling.

In 2018, she spoke about her struggles with addictions to both sex and alcohol. “My addictive tendencies shift. They move around,” she explained, admitting that in her younger years, she may have had a form of sexual addiction, as she believed that every problem could be solved through sex. She also opened up about discovering she had an issue with excessive drinking.

She recalled hitting a low point when she was alone at home, with two bottles of wine already consumed and about to open a third, she stated. It made her think, “Wait a minute. Here you are, all alone in this house, reaching for your third bottle of wine? There might be an issue here.

She mentioned that she quit abruptly, which is something she often does. She explained, “I’m a binger, so I need to be mindful and avoid getting too engrossed in things.” Later, she added, “It’s not about the action itself, but the reason behind it. The behavior connected to it. For instance, if you enjoy having sex a lot, that’s fine, but consider why you’re doing it so much. That’s what you should examine.

One of the Backstreet Boys band members experimented with drugs for the first time prior to filming the music video for “The Call” in 2000. In a subsequent interview with Good Morning America, he admitted that he felt incredibly energetic during the shoot. He successfully overcame his addiction in 2021 and experienced numerous positive changes within a year, including shedding 32 pounds in seven months by abstaining from alcohol and fast food.

In September 2022, I shared with Today that my consumption of alcohol led to an unwanted increase in weight. However, it was more than just a physical burden; it also took a toll on my emotional well-being.

Following the untimely demise of Mac Miller, the rapper known as Shad Moss, took to Twitter to share his past struggles with a cough syrup addiction. In a series of tweets, he began by urging young people to stay away from harmful drugs. He admitted that during the recording of the FACE OFF album with Omarion, he was addicted to lean (syrup) and would frequently consume it while on tour with Chris Brown. This addiction led to a change in his behavior, causing his fans and family to turn against him. Bow Wow revealed that he was high and sick during some shows, including the Chicago and Baltimore shows of the tour, which he ultimately missed. He emphasized the dangers of syrup, stating that it nearly cost him his life. He ended his message by urging young artists and kids around the world to avoid following trends and to break the cycle of drug abuse, wishing peace to all.

2018 saw Gwyneth Paltrow’s ex-husband, Chris Martin, and she herself staging an intervention due to her struggle with substance abuse. As per her account, she had become heavily reliant on cocaine and alcohol, reaching a point of chronic intoxication. The trigger for the intervention was an accidental headbutt incident at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party involving Orlando Bloom, which left her unconscious.

In a conversation with The Guardian, she expressed, “I felt nothing could touch or fulfill me during those difficult times. One morning, as I woke up, I pondered, ‘Perhaps heroin might be the solution now, since nothing else appears to be effective.’

During the 1980s, the actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction and sought treatment at a rehabilitation center in 1990. In a later interview on Today, he shared that his upbringing in the ’60s and ’70s was marked by a significantly different attitude towards drug use compared to today.

In a candid admission made in 2018, he acknowledged that his cocaine use was virtually constant throughout the ’80s. He would often find himself pleading with God to take away his addiction, promising to never do it again, as he had to be at work soon. However, by the afternoon, he would rationalize that it wasn’t so bad.

“I had what I call a white light experience where I saw myself either dead or losing everything that meant anything to me,” he continued. He had to sit down then-fiancée Meg Ryan and explain what was going on. Then, he sought help. “That was the end of the love affair with me and cocaine.”

Following an incident at a Newport Beach hotel where Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to force open his own room door, Lochte decided to seek treatment in 2018. According to his representative, Lochte has been struggling with alcohol addiction for quite some time and this struggle has developed into a harmful pattern for him. His representative stated to TopMob News that he recognizes the need for professional help to overcome this problem and will be seeking immediate assistance.

Ryan realizes that overcoming this illness is crucial for him to prevent future mistakes, so he can excel as a husband and father, and if he aims to regain his top form in swimming for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

It was primarily due to his relationship with actress Melanie Lynskey, that the former star of “Parenthood” decided to give up alcohol, despite knowing that it’s generally advised not to get sober for someone else.

During his interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he shared, “At one point, I realized how exceptional she was, and I believed she would be ideal for someone who truly appreciated her. However, I didn’t think I was that person; I felt a tad unstable.

However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.

In the beginning stages of their relationship, he found it simpler to claim that his actions were for her because, at that point in time, he didn’t hold a high opinion of his own worth. He placed less importance on causing himself pain than on avoiding hurting her. Consequently, it was more straightforward for him to assert, ‘I’m doing this for her.’ However, now, I do it for myself.

The country star has been sober for nearly a decade, but it was a hard-fought road getting there. His addiction to alcohol and pain pills began soon after graduating from high school and didn’t abate when his career began to take off. He kept a black leather laptop bag filled with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka “at arm’s reach at all times,” he told previously revealed to People, adding that throughout the day, “every hour and a half to two hours it’d be time to get two or three good pulls on the bottle. And every three or four hours it’s time for a pill or two.”

In my expertise, I’d rephrase it as follows: “I wasn’t aimlessly wandering about during the day, quite the contrary. I was in top form, actually creating more music back then than I do currently. That’s what made it unsettling.

In late 2011, he was admitted to the hospital due to pancreatitis, and medical professionals warned him that continued drinking could lead to his untimely death. However, he persisted in delaying change and attempted self-restraint, such as promising himself to only take two pills a day or drink a certain amount from his bottle. Yet, this self-control would last only for a few days before someone organized another party.

Eventually, he reached out for assistance and admitted himself into rehab on December 18, 2011. “I realized it was something beyond my control,” Gilbert explained. “It infuriated me immensely and left me feeling humiliated. I am a determined individual, but this was the one aspect of my life that I couldn’t conquer.

2024-11-19 03:21

Josh Brolin Shares Truth on His Sobriety After Being “Born to Drink”

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