Actor Brad Pitt revealed in a profile published by Esquire that he has started drinking alcohol again after maintaining seven years of sobriety, stating that he now consumes alcohol with more restraint. According to the interview, the 62-year-old actor acknowledged that he occasionally experienced an overconfidence regarding his ability to manage alcohol consumption.
Brad Pitt Discusses Return to Drinking After Seven Years of Sobriety
Brad Pitt stated in his interview with Esquire that he remained completely abstinent for seven years before returning to drinking on a limited basis. According to coverage by outlets including CNews and La Voix du Nord, the star of Fight Club and Seven explained that his current consumption is strictly managed. “I had a bit too much confidence in myself a few occasions,” Pitt told Esquire, noting that he realized large quantities of alcohol are not suitable for him. He added that while he now permits himself a few glasses of wine, he maintains a strict personal boundary to stay professional and reasonable.
Addiction Struggles Following 2016 Separation From Angelina Jolie
Pitt’s initial decision to seek help for alcohol addiction occurred in 2016 during his highly publicized separation from actress Angelina Jolie, according to verified reports. In a June 2025 appearance on Dax Shepard’s podcast Armchair Expert, Pitt recounted that he was “practically on his knees” when he joined the Alcoholics Anonymous program, where he spent roughly a year and a half participating in meetings and therapy. During his recent interview with Esquire, the actor also reflected on that intense period of personal turmoil, noting that he experienced severe emotional pain and fleeting thoughts of relief during the height of his family difficulties.
Legal Battles and Family Dynamics
The separation between Pitt and Jolie involved a lengthy judicial process that concluded with a divorce judgment finalized on December 30, 2024, as reported by La Voix du Nord. During their custody and property disputes—which included legal battles over the South French wine estate Château Miraval—Jolie raised allegations of domestic and family violence, pointing specifically to a 2016 incident aboard a private jet. Federal criminal charges were never filed against the actor following investigations into the flight. In the years following the split, relationships between Pitt and several of his children, including Maddox, Pax, Zahara, and Shiloh, have become strained, with multiple children publicly dropping the Pitt surname.
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