Brad Pitt drinks again after 7‑year clean break, shocking fans

Brad Pitt revealed he has returned to drinking after a seven‑year period of sobriety, . The actor explained that he can have a few glasses of wine, but he keeps the amount limited and insists on staying professional around alcohol.

This candid admission adds to his ongoing discussions about his relationship with alcohol.

During the interview, Pitt offered the writer wine and asked whether alcohol was only for guests. He laughed and said, “No, I got — I was sober for seven years.

And then I got back off the wagon,” adding that he now approaches drinking “in a more restrained manner.” He emphasized that he can have a few glasses but cannot have a lot, and that maintaining limits is part of his professional conduct.

Pitt’s openness about alcohol has been public for many years, beginning with his 2016 Alcoholics Anonymous attendance after an incident on a private jet that sparked a child‑abuse investigation. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services cleared him later that year.

One week after the incident, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt, which was finalized in 2024.

## Background & Context

The 2016 jet incident prompted Pitt to seek help through Alcoholics Anonymous, where he met future friend Dax Shepard. The meeting environment was described by Pitt as a crowded room with an elder statesman near the end, and he respected it. He recalled that during this time he tried “anything anyone threw at me.”

In a 2017 GQ interview, Pitt said he had been unable to stay away from alcohol or smoking since college. He noted that his family life prompted him to stop smoking but not drinking, and that excessive drinking became problematic. He expressed happiness at having been sober for half a year, though he described it as bittersweet.

By 2025, Pitt reflected on his AA experience during an appearance on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast. He described the sessions as open and honest, and said they had helped him reboot and wake up in certain areas of his life.

## Current Stance on Alcohol

In the Esquire interview, Pitt clarified that he can consume a few glasses but must keep it limited. He says he cannot have a lot and must remain professional about it. He emphasized that he has become more restrained compared to earlier years.

Pitt’s comment about “back off the wagon” indicates a measured return to drinking, with an awareness of his limits. He described having been overconfident a couple of times before realizing moderation was necessary. He maintains he can have a few but not in large quantities.

The interview underscores Pitt’s ongoing effort to balance personal enjoyment with professional responsibilities, illustrating that he

## Support and Recovery Journey

Pitt’s journey began with participation in Alcoholics Anonymous after the 2016 incident. He also benefited from a friendship formed with Dax Shepard during AA. Their dynamic was described as respectful and supportive, .

The relationship with Shepard provided an environment where topics could be discussed honestly and humorously. Pitt recalled that the sessions allowed him to “take whatever theme seemed to go in the evening and then put it in the funniest package.” This helped him reflect on his struggles.

The support network, including professional AA meetings and close friendships, has contributed to Pitt’s sobriety efforts, though he acknowledges that alcohol remains a part of his life in controlled amounts. He continues to maintain limits and professionalism.

Pitt’s candid admission that he has returned to drinking after years of sobriety offers a rare glimpse into the ongoing challenges faced by celebrities in managing substance use. It highlights the complexity of recovery and the importance of setting personal boundaries while staying true to professional obligations.