Brad Pitt Says He Started Drinking Again After 7 Years of Sobriety

• Brad Pitt revealed in a new Esquire interview that his seven-year sobriety streak has come to an end
• The actor admitted he got overconfident and is now drinking again, though he claims to be doing so in a restrained way
• Pitt also opened up about a deeply painful personal period involving 'family stuff' that left him understanding how death could feel like relief

Brad Pitt has confirmed he is no longer sober, revealing in a candid new interview that he began drinking again after seven years of abstinence. The Hollywood legend made the admission in a wide-ranging conversation with Esquire magazine, and it has sent shockwaves across social media.

The Oscar-winning actor, who has starred in films ranging from Fight Club to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, told the publication:

"I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon."

He was quick to add, however, that he is now approaching alcohol 'in a more restrained manner,' explaining that he can handle a few glasses of wine but not much more.

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Brad Pitt's sobriety journey

Pitt's sobriety had long been a public part of his story. He previously credited actor Bradley Cooper with helping him get clean following his split from Angelina Jolie, and spent over a year attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings during that difficult stretch. By his own account, he got overconfident on a couple of occasions during his return to drinking, quickly learning that large quantities still do not work for him.

Dark thoughts and family pain

According to the TMZ X account, the interview also took a far more sombre turn when Pitt opened up about an emotionally devastating period in his life. He described a time when the pain he was experiencing became so 'oppressive' that he understood, on a visceral level, how someone could come to view death as a form of relief. He was careful to stress that he never had any intention of acting on those thoughts, and that his survival instincts pulled him back. When the interviewer pressed him on whether the struggle involved his children, Pitt declined to go into detail, saying only:

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"Family stuff. We could leave it at that."

Check out the X post below:

Mzansi and the world react to the sudden change

The internet did not hold back. Here is what people had to say:

Gpcygw said:

"Bro really beat the alcohol boss and decided to run the rematch on hard mode. 😭"

RobWyman added:

"He will be back in a posh rehab within a year. Few drunks can go back to normal drinking."

Mr_KevinHill commented:

"He's about to go hard. The kick from a seven-year relapse is gonna be a mf'er. Bless all in that struggle. I pray I don't ever touch that again."

Michaelx264:

"That's a big mistake. Alcohol clouds your mind."

Theouterwatch said:

"Struggles happen in life. Prayers for all those struggling with dark times, temptation, and mental issues."

St3v3li added:

"You shouldn't have left in the first place, bro."

Somaliland_Gov said:

"The alcohol after watching Brad kids change their last name. 🤦🏽‍♂️"

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3 Other Briefly News stories related to sobriety

• Inno Morolong celebrated one year of sobriety in 2025, sharing her transformation journey publicly.
• Ntsiki and Thandiswa Mazwai have joined their voices in calling out South Africans for their love of booze.
• A bartender at a local establishment called Copper Club refused two women alcoholic beverages.

Source: Briefly News