Brad Pitt reveals relapse and suicidal thoughts after divorce

In a candid interview with Esquire, Brad Pitt revealed that he has resumed drinking after seven years of sobriety, and that he experienced suicidal thoughts during the darkest period following his divorce from Angelina Jolie. Pitt, 62, described feeling 'the cold steel of the bullet in my head' as a relief, though he stressed he never intended to act on those thoughts Source: CNN. He now drinks in a 'more contained' way, admitting he 'fell off the wagon' and occasionally overindulges, but insists he must be 'professional' about it Source: ABC.

Family strain

Pitt attributed his lowest moments to 'family stuff,' which he called 'not easy shit' Source: Infobae. The interview comes as four of his six children—Zahara, Maddox, Shiloh, and Vivienne—have moved to drop the Pitt surname Source: Infobae. A source close to Jolie said she was 'not surprised' by the relapse, believing 'sobriety didn't mean the underlying problems were gone' Source: Infobae.

Recovery history

Pitt had been sober since 2016, attending Alcoholics Anonymous for about a year and a half Source: CNN. He previously credited Bradley Cooper for helping him stay sober Source: CNN. Now, he says he can have 'a few glasses' but not too many, and that he values mornings too much to waste them on hangovers Source: Excelsior.

What's next

Pitt's divorce from Jolie was finalized in late 2024, but they remain locked in a legal battle over Château Miraval Source: CNN. The actor also expressed regret about his fifties, wishing he had done more Source: El Diario.