Actor Brad Pitt has recently shared that he has resumed drinking alcohol after maintaining sobriety for seven years. The revelation came during a recent interview where Pitt, 62, discussed his evolving relationship with alcohol, noting that his return to drinking has been a gradual process in recent years and is now approached with more restraint.

A Long History with Substance Use

Pitt’s journey with sobriety is not a new development. He has previously spoken about abstaining from marijuana, a decision he made in the early 2000s after becoming a father. At the time, he explained that he wanted to be more alert and present for his children, Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne, whom he shares with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie. He noted that his marijuana use had previously impacted his education, leaving him just short of a college degree.

In a 2009 appearance on ‘Real Time With Bill Maher,’ Pitt elaborated on his decision to quit cannabis. “I’m a dad now. You want to be alert and my eyes used to glaze over when I did that,” he stated. He also reflected on a period in the late 1990s when he felt he was overindulging, saying, “I was hiding out from the celebrity thing; I was smoking way too much dope; I was sitting on the couch and just turning into a doughnut; and I really got irritated with myself.” He described himself as a “drifter” who felt he grew up in a “vacuum” and sought inspiration, but eventually felt he was “wasting my opportunity.”

A trip to Morocco, where he witnessed “extreme poverty” and social injustices, served as a catalyst for change. Pitt recounted that this experience inspired him to stop smoking marijuana and get off the couch, marking a significant shift in his perspective and habits.

The Decision to Quit Alcohol

Pitt’s relationship with alcohol became a focal point following his 2016 split from Angelina Jolie. Amidst allegations of an intoxicated altercation on a private jet, Pitt began a more intensive period of sobriety. In 2017, he revealed that he had “stopped everything except boozing when I started my family.” He candidly admitted that for a significant period after college, he couldn’t recall a day without consuming alcohol or marijuana, viewing these substances as “pacifiers” and a means of “running from feelings.”

He expressed a strong desire to move past this phase, stating, “I’m really, really happy to be done with all of that.” Pitt detailed the challenges of confronting his emotions, explaining, “You either deny them all of your life or you answer them and evolve.” He acknowledged that alcohol had become a problem, noting, “I was boozing too much. It’s just become a problem.”

The actor found significant support in his sobriety journey, notably crediting actor Bradley Cooper. Cooper, who has been sober for over two decades after battling addiction, was instrumental in Pitt’s decision to quit drinking. Pitt publicly thanked Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala, saying, “I got sober because of this guy. And every day’s been happier ever since.”

Pitt also found value in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), describing the experience as a “wake up call.” He spoke about the openness and honesty he encountered in meetings, which created a “safe space” with minimal judgment, allowing for greater self-acceptance. He described going from being “shy” to being “pretty much on my knees and I was really open.” He later reflected on his time in AA during an appearance on Dax Shepard’s ‘Armchair Expert’ podcast, calling it a “really special experience” filled with shared experiences, humor, and vulnerability.

Returning to Alcohol with Restraint

In his recent interview with Esquire, Pitt disclosed that he has “gotten back off the wagon” after seven years of sobriety. He clarified that his current approach to drinking is significantly more controlled. “In a more restrained manner,” he stated, explaining that he has learned to recognize his limits after overestimating his capacity on a few occasions. “I got overconfident a couple times, went, ‘Yep, nope, not good for me.’ Not in big quantities,” Pitt explained.

He indicated that he can now enjoy “a few” glasses of wine but emphasizes the need for professionalism and moderation, stating, “I have to be professional about it.” The interviewer noted that Pitt seemed to have embraced being a morning person, a habit that can be easily disrupted by excessive drinking the night before.

Following Pitt’s admission, sources close to him indicated that this was a personal decision based on years of reflection on his relationship with alcohol. Angelina Jolie was reportedly not surprised by the news, with sources suggesting she had long anticipated this possibility and believed that underlying issues might persist regardless of sobriety.

Understanding Sobriety and Relapse

Brad Pitt’s candidness about his sobriety journey highlights the complex and often non-linear nature of recovery. His experiences underscore that maintaining sobriety can be a continuous process, with individuals sometimes navigating periods of abstinence and occasional returns to substance use, often with a renewed focus on moderation and self-awareness.

The actor’s willingness to share his struggles and successes offers insight into the personal challenges faced by many in managing addiction and maintaining well-being. His journey emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, seeking support, and adapting strategies as personal circumstances and needs evolve.