Actor Brad Pitt has revealed he has returned to drinking after maintaining seven years of sobriety, while also sharing that he experienced a period of intense despair amid ongoing family estrangement.
In a recent interview with Esquire, Pitt confirmed he had "gotten back off the wagon" after offering his interviewer a glass of wine. He described his current approach to alcohol as more restrained, stating he can "have a few" glasses but cannot indulge further. "I can have a few. But I can’t have a lot. I have to be professional about it," Pitt said. He added that he now values mornings more and avoids excessive drinking to preserve them.
The actor also reflected on a difficult period in his life, acknowledging that he had briefly considered suicide during a time of profound emotional pain. "I was never suicidal in any way. It just was not my makeup," Pitt clarified. "Except for one little period, I just couldn’t see a way out. The pain was so oppressive that I could feel the cold steel of the bullet in my head, and it felt like relief." He emphasized that his survival instincts ultimately prevailed, describing himself as a "congenital optimist" who has faced challenges with resilience.
Pitt’s comments come amid ongoing legal and personal disputes with his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, which began in 2016. Four of his six children with Jolie have filed to drop his last name in recent months, a development Pitt described as contributing to his emotional struggles. He characterized the pain as a "gaping hole" and acknowledged the difficulty of navigating fame and success while facing such personal turmoil.
The actor’s candor about his mental health and sobriety journey follows his earlier decision to seek help through Alcoholics Anonymous after the 2016 incident, during which he was accused of drunken behavior on a private jet. Pitt has since described his approach to alcohol as more measured, though he did not specify whether his return to drinking was permanent or situational.
Pitt’s reflections also touched on the broader challenges of maintaining personal well-being amid public scrutiny. "You’re talking to a guy who won the lottery," he noted, highlighting the paradox of achieving professional success while grappling with private pain.