“I Could Drink a Russian Under the Table”: Brad Pitt on Alcohol Struggles, Sobriety, and Starting Over

For decades, Brad Pitt has embodied Hollywood’s golden-boy image — effortlessly charming, endlessly bankable, a star whose magnetism seemed unshakable. But when his marriage to Angelina Jolie collapsed in 2016, the veneer cracked, and what lay beneath was something far more human: a man grappling with loss, loneliness, and addiction.

In a series of candid interviews, Pitt has spoken openly about how the pain of divorce became the tipping point in his battle with alcohol. “I was boozing too much,” he admitted, confessing that drinking had long been both a release and a prison. The star who once joked he could “drink a Russian under the table” was forced to confront the damage alcohol had wrought — not just on his health, but on his family and sense of self.

Finding Strength in Sobriety

The journey to recovery was neither quick nor easy. Pitt began attending Alcoholics Anonymous, spending over a year in meetings where celebrity counted for nothing and honesty meant everything. Behind closed doors, away from red carpets and flashing cameras, he listened, shared, and began to heal.

“There was great freedom in exposing the ugly sides of yourself,” he reflected, describing how the support of strangers — fellow travelers in the fight for sobriety — gave him a new sense of belonging. The experience underscored the truth that addiction does not discriminate, and that recovery is rooted in community.

Bradley Cooper’s Quiet Role

Among the voices that guided Pitt forward was that of his friend and fellow actor Bradley Cooper. Having walked his own path of sobriety, Cooper became a source of compassion and accountability. At an awards ceremony, Pitt offered heartfelt thanks to Cooper, saying, “I got sober because of this guy, and every day has been happier ever since.”

It was a rare, public acknowledgment of the private friendships that sustain Hollywood’s brightest stars. More than industry alliances, these bonds revealed the life-saving power of empathy and example.

Rebuilding a Life

Sobriety was only the first step. Pitt sought therapy, worked to rebuild trust with his children, and embraced a slower, steadier pace of life. Projects became more personal, less about the trappings of fame and more about creative fulfillment. His openness about his struggles has resonated far beyond Hollywood, becoming a reminder that vulnerability is not weakness but a form of strength.

What emerges from Pitt’s story is not just the portrait of a man overcoming addiction, but of someone learning to begin again. His journey illustrates that healing requires honesty, humility, and the willingness to accept help — qualities often overshadowed by the glamor of stardom.

A Beacon of Hope

Brad Pitt’s recovery is not just his own triumph. By speaking so plainly about his battles, he has helped dismantle stigma around addiction and recovery. His story is a reminder that no matter how public the pain or how steep the fall, transformation is possible.

The Hollywood icon who once defined himself through roles of grit and resilience now embodies those qualities in real life. Through humor, humility, and the support of friends, Brad Pitt has shown that there is always a way forward — one day, and one honest step, at a time.

Would you like me to shape this more like a profile feature (centered on Pitt’s evolution as a person and actor), or as a cultural piece about addiction and recovery in Hollywood, with Pitt as a case study?