Brad Pitt Reveals He No Longer Practices Complete Sobriety After Seven Years Without Alcohol

10 August 2026

Brad Pitt has opened up about a major change in his relationship with alcohol, revealing that he no longer considers himself completely sober after spending seven years without drinking.

The 62-year-old actor discussed the subject in a candid new interview with Esquire, explaining that he began drinking alcohol again approximately three years ago. Pitt said his approach today is dramatically different from his habits before becoming sober, describing his current relationship with alcohol as controlled and moderate.

Pitt first stopped drinking in 2016 during an intensely difficult period in his personal life. His separation from Angelina Jolie became public that year, beginning a lengthy and highly scrutinized divorce process that was ultimately settled in 2024. Around the time of the split, Pitt began confronting his drinking habits and sought help through Alcoholics Anonymous.

The actor has previously spoken positively about his experience with the recovery program. He described attending meetings where men openly discussed their mistakes and vulnerabilities, something he found valuable while examining his own behavior.

That process became an important part of Pitt's life. He remained sober for seven years and publicly credited the experience with helping him better understand himself. Now, Pitt says he has returned to drinking occasionally.

Rather than viewing the decision as a return to his previous lifestyle, the actor said he approaches alcohol carefully and recognizes the importance of knowing his limits. He described needing to remain disciplined about how much he drinks and acknowledged that overconfidence can still create problems.

Pitt's comments offer a more complicated perspective on sobriety than the traditional idea of permanent abstinence. His decision is personal, and approaches to recovery can differ significantly between individuals. For many people with alcohol use disorder, medical professionals recommend continued abstinence because returning to alcohol can carry serious risks.

The actor's earlier struggles with alcohol became closely connected to the breakdown of his marriage to Jolie. Following a highly publicized 2016 incident aboard a private plane involving Pitt and members of his family, authorities investigated allegations concerning his behavior. Pitt was not charged following the investigation.

In subsequent interviews, Pitt spoke about taking responsibility for aspects of his life that he believed needed to change. Alcohol became one of the clearest areas where he chose to make a dramatic adjustment.

His journey also connected him with other Hollywood figures who have discussed recovery. Pitt previously credited Bradley Cooper with supporting and inspiring his sobriety, while conversations with actor Anthony Hopkins explored addiction, mistakes and personal growth.

Pitt has also been candid about his past marijuana use. Earlier in his career, he said he relied heavily on cannabis while struggling with the pressures of fame before eventually changing those habits as well. Despite resuming alcohol consumption, Pitt's latest comments suggest he still considers the lessons from his seven sober years an important part of his life.

The revelation arrives as the Oscar-winning actor continues a busy period professionally, balancing acting and producing projects while remaining one of Hollywood's most recognizable stars. His decision to discuss the subject publicly also adds another chapter to a recovery journey he has spoken about with unusual openness over the years.

For Pitt, the change does not appear to represent a rejection of what sobriety taught him. Instead, he says he is attempting to maintain control while navigating a different relationship with alcohol than the one he had before 2016.