Brad Pitt Discusses Sobriety Journey: 'I Needed to Wake the F--k Up'
Brad Pitt opened up about his journey to sobriety during a recent appearance on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, revealing the challenges he faced and the pivotal moments that led him to seek help.
The Oscar-winning actor engaged in a candid discussion with Shepard, reflecting on their shared experiences with alcoholism. Their connection began at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, where they both found solace and support.
Recalling his initial experience at AA, Pitt described feeling "shy" at first. "I'm generally a bit shy in any situation at first," he noted, but quickly found comfort in the group. "I just remember getting my arms around it pretty quickly and it became a thing for me. It was really like something I'd look forward to."
A friend had reassured him that the group was a "safe place," which helped Pitt feel more at ease. At that point in his life, he was ready to confront his issues head-on.
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"I am a stubborn f--k, but when I've stepped in s--t, I'm pretty good at taking responsibility for it and owning up to it," he shared. "Now it's a quest to -- what do I do with this and how do I right this and make sure this doesn't happen again. So I was really open to that."
Describing his mindset during that time, Pitt said, "I was pretty much on my knees, and I was really open. I was trying anything and everyone. Anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting. I needed to wake the f--k up in some areas. And it just meant a lot to me."
The experience proved transformative for Pitt, not only in terms of self-discovery but also through witnessing the vulnerability of others in the group. "I just thought it was incredible men sharing their experiences, their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it," he expressed. "I thought it was a really special experience."
Pitt has previously discussed his sobriety journey following his 2016 divorce from Angelina Jolie, which he described as a significant wake-up call. In a 2019 interview, he stated, "I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges." He emphasized the importance of the safe space provided by AA, where honesty flourished without judgment.
