Brad Pitt‘s sobriety journey and recovery have unfolded publicly over several years, marked by deep personal reflection, professional challenges, and transformative support systems. Pitt’s determination to address his substance use began after a highly publicized incident in 2016, and his ongoing efforts continue to impact his outlook and relationships.
Pitt’s Turning Point Following Family Turmoil
In September 2016, Brad Pitt attended Alcoholics Anonymous after an event on a private jet involving his then-family, which resulted in a child abuse investigation. One week after the incident became public, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce, initiating a lengthy legal process that concluded in December 2024. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services later cleared Pitt of allegations later that year. Reflecting on his journey in 2017, Pitt shared his commitment to quitting alcohol and how this decision began changing his life.
“Personally, I can’t remember a day since I got out of college when I wasn’t boozing or had a spliff or something. Something. And you realize that a lot of it is, um — cigarettes, you know, pacifiers. And I’m running from feelings,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“I’m really, really happy to be done with all of that. I mean, I stopped everything except boozing when I started my family. But even this last year, you know — things I wasn’t dealing with. I was boozing too much. It’s just become a problem. And I’m really happy it’s been half a year now, which is bittersweet, but I’ve got my feelings in my fingertips again.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Abstaining from Alcohol Amid Professional Challenges
As Pitt grappled with his dependence on alcohol, he owned and managed Miraval, a respected winery. This connection to the wine industry posed a significant test of his resolve as he made the decision to abstain, despite a longstanding enjoyment of wine. He recognized the impact excessive drinking had on his life and acknowledged the necessity of stepping back for his well-being.
“I enjoy wine very, very much, but I just ran it to the ground,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“I had to step away for a minute. And truthfully I could drink a Russian under the table with his own vodka. I was a professional. I was good. Don’t want to live that way anymore.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Recognizing the Moment to Change
By September 2019, in an interview with the New York Times, Pitt shared that he had reached his limit with alcohol and revoked his own ability to drink. Entering recovery, he sought support by surrounding himself with others facing similar struggles. The environment offered him safety and reduced self-judgment, encouraging him to be honest about his own challenges.
“You had all these men sitting around being open and honest in a way I have never heard,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“It was this safe space where there was little judgment, and therefore little judgment of yourself … It was actually really freeing just to expose the ugly sides of yourself. There’s great value in that.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Changing Unhealthy Patterns
When speaking to Interview magazine in 2019, Pitt described his drinking as both an escape and a form of self-sabotage. He observed society’s focus on mistakes, stressing the importance of what individuals do in response to their errors. Pitt emphasized that personal recovery and growth are revealed in the steps people take after making mistakes.
“I think we’re living in a time where we’re extremely judgmental and quick to treat people as disposable. We’ve always placed great importance on the mistake. But the next move, what you do after the mistake, is what really defines a person,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“We’re all going to make mistakes. But what is that next step? We don’t, as a culture, seem to stick around to see what that person’s next step is. And that’s the part I find so much more invigorating and interesting.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
The Importance of Friendship and Support
Pitt often credits those who stood by him during his recovery. He highlighted Bradley Cooper’s significant influence during an award acceptance speech in 2020, expressing gratitude for how Cooper inspired his decision to become sober. The positive changes since have been evident in his words and actions.
“I got sober because of this guy,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“And every day’s been happier ever since.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Building Connections Through Alcoholics Anonymous
During his participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, Pitt forged a new friendship with Dax Shepard. He described the group dynamic as supportive and open, which provided a foundation for honesty and mutual respect. Pitt recounted these experiences on Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, emphasizing how meaningful these moments and connections were in his life at the time.
“You go around in a circle, it’s kind of a spiral because it’s a really crowded room. Dax was usually near the end because he’s been there a while. He’s kind of like an elder statesman. And I really respected it,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“It was really open, honest, was a way to take whatever theme seemed to go in the evening and then put it in the funniest package. And it meant a lot to me, it really did.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Reflecting on his early days in AA, Pitt shared that he was receptive to any help or advice, acknowledging that he was at a pivotal point in his recovery and needed a complete reset to move forward.
“I was trying anything and everyone, anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“I needed to wake the f*** up in some areas.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Ongoing Impact and Broader Reflections
Brad Pitt’s journey—from the events that initiated his sobriety to his openness about recovery—serves as a candid exploration of self-reinvention among public figures. By sharing his setbacks and the importance of rebuilding connections through groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Pitt’s experience offers insight into both the challenges and the support available for individuals facing addiction. His honest reflections and the involvement of friends like Bradley Cooper and Dax Shepard signal not only a personal transformation but also an ongoing dialogue about recovery within the entertainment industry and beyond.
