Brad Pitt has spoken candidly about his Alcoholics Anonymous experience while navigating his divorce from Angelina Jolie, revealing the challenges and emotions he faced. The actor, now 61, shared insights into his journey to sobriety and personal growth, placing a spotlight on the role of support groups in difficult life moments.
Pitt Reflects on Finding Support Through Alcoholics Anonymous
Appearing on the “Armchair Expert” podcast with Dax Shepard, Brad Pitt recounted their shared history of meeting in an AA group. Pitt described the environment as welcoming and transformative, emphasizing how it brought people together to share both their struggles and moments of humor.
“I just thought it was just incredible men sharing their experiences, their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it. I thought it was a really special experience,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Confronting Vulnerability and Seeking Change
Dax Shepard raised the heightened sense of honesty and vulnerability that comes with talking about these experiences publicly, as their meeting in AA was based on deep trust. Pitt acknowledged initially feeling shy but soon became more comfortable opening up within the group.
“I was pretty much on my knees, and I was really open,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Pitt shared that at that low point, he was willing to try any suggestion others offered, describing the period as a difficult and necessary reset. He knew he needed a fresh start and to become more aware in different aspects of his life.
“I was trying anything and everyone. Anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting. I needed to wake the f— up in some areas. And it just meant a lot to me.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
He admitted his stubbornness but said he strives to accept responsibility for his mistakes and learn from them, viewing recovery as an ongoing mission for self-improvement and righting past wrongs.
“When I’ve stepped in s—, I’m pretty good at taking responsibility for it and owning up to it. And now it’s a quest to, you know, ‘What do I do with this? How can I right this?’ And make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Growth and Acceptance During AA Meetings
With each meeting, Pitt discovered a sense of anticipation to connect with others and further his recovery. Therapy became an additional outlet to openly discuss his history without fear of judgment.
“When I jumped into therapy then, I was just like, ‘And I did this and I did that and da da da da,’”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Shepard commented on the universally difficult circumstances that bring people to AA, pointing out that no one seeks help when life is going smoothly.
“Yeah. You don’t come into AA because everything’s working out fantastic,”
—Dax Shepard, Podcast Host
Pitt agreed with humor, acknowledging that crisis often becomes the push needed for change. Shepard lightened the moment by saying that only when things are truly dire do people turn to sharing emotional experiences in such settings.
“No. That’s usually not the entry point,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“Your hair has gotta be on fire before you go like, ‘Yeah, I’ll go hang with a bunch of dudes and talk about emotions.’”
—Dax Shepard, Podcast Host
Looking Ahead After Difficult Times
Pitt’s openness about his Alcoholics Anonymous story provides insight into the real struggles faced by those in the public eye, especially during personal trials like a high-profile divorce. His reflections may encourage others facing similar hardships to seek support, highlighting the collective and confidential nature of AA. As Pitt continues his career and personal journey, his candid account underscores the significance of accountability and growth when dealing with adversity.
