Brad Pitt has candidly discussed his journey with addiction recovery after divorce, detailing the personal upheaval he faced following the end of his marriage to Angelina Jolie. During a recent conversation on the Armchair Expert podcast, Pitt shared how joining Alcoholics Anonymous helped him address longstanding substance issues after their split in 2016.
Turning to Support After a Difficult Separation
Speaking with host Dax Shepard, Brad Pitt reflected on the turmoil he experienced after the breakdown of his relationship with Angelina Jolie, which led him to seek help and begin attending meetings. Pitt described feeling overwhelmed and stressed during this period, emphasizing that he reached a personal low and needed a new start.
“I was really open to… I was trying anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Pitt also shared with Shepard, who has openly spoken about his own issues with sobriety, that attending Alcoholics Anonymous was daunting at first. The experience, however, eventually brought him comfort and growth.
“It gives you permission to go, ‘OK, I’m gonna step out on this edge and see what happens.’ And then I really grew to love it.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Brad Pitt praised Dax Shepard’s transparency and longevity within the AA group, noting the role models he found among other members. He explained that seeing men openly discuss personal failings, regrets, and hopes—in a place filled with mutual understanding—was powerful and transformative for him.
“I just thought it was incredible – men sharing their experiences with their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Personal History and Coping Mechanisms
The actor discussed his upbringing in Missouri after being born in Oklahoma, pointing to cultural attitudes that discouraged vulnerability, which affected his ability to confront emotional struggles. In a previous interview with The New York Times, Pitt described how AA provided a judgment-free environment that allowed him to honestly examine himself.
“It was actually really freeing just to expose the ugly sides of yourself,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
In addition to alcohol, Pitt admitted that he used various substances to cope with the pressures of fame, particularly during the 1990s. This contributed to a period of isolation and increased his reliance on unhealthy behaviors.
“In the ’90s, all that attention really threw me,”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
“I really became a bit of a hermit and just bonged myself into oblivion.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Overcoming Addiction with the Help of Peers
Brad Pitt openly credited Bradley Cooper, whom he thanked publicly at the National Board of Review gala in 2020, for his encouragement in maintaining sobriety after years of struggle. Pitt stated that every day became brighter following his decision to get sober.
“Every day has been happier ever since.”
—Brad Pitt, Actor
Pitt’s commitment to recovery developed in the wake of his split with Angelina Jolie. The former couple, who share six children—Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne—went through a high-profile, lengthy legal battle after Jolie initiated divorce proceedings in 2016. Their divorce process eventually concluded in December 2024, following a dispute involving their Château Miraval estate.
Life After Divorce and Recovery
Since finalizing the divorce, Brad Pitt has moved forward and is presently in a relationship with Ines de Ramon, a jewelry executive who lives with him in Los Angeles. Angelina Jolie, on the other hand, is currently believed to be single. Pitt’s open dialogue about his addiction recovery after divorce highlights not only his personal growth but also the importance of finding strength through support groups and trusted friends such as Dax Shepard and Bradley Cooper.
Pitt’s story shines a light on the significance of addressing emotional and substance-related challenges with honesty and support, serving as an example for others who may be struggling with addiction or life changes. As he continues to speak about his journey and maintain his sobriety, many observers look to him as a symbol of resilience and the ongoing hope for healing after traumatic life transitions.
