Brad Pitt posing on a red carpet in a tuxedo
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Brad Pitt’s Sobriety Evolution: Inside His AA Journey, Split From Angelina Jolie, and Current Habits

The Oscar winner has candidly reflected on his history with alcohol, his path to recovery, and how his habits changed after his high-profile divorce.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt has spent nearly a decade publicly navigating his complicated relationship with alcohol, substance use, and personal recovery. The Oscar-winning actor's path toward sobriety first became a major focal point of his personal life following a high-profile family crisis in late 2016. ## Why Did Brad Pitt Go to Alcoholics Anonymous? The A-lister first sought structured support through Alcoholics Anonymous following a widely reported incident aboard a private airplane involving his family. The event triggered an inquiry by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, though child welfare officials ultimately cleared the actor of any wrongdoing later that year. The aftermath of that mid-flight dispute reshaped Pitt's personal life permanently. Just one week after the story emerged, Angelina Jolie filed to dissolve their two-year marriage in September 2016. The high-profile pair, who originally wed in 2014, remained locked in prolonged courtroom proceedings until their divorce was officially finalized in December 2024. In 2017, Pitt opened up about his decision to abandon substances during a candid cover interview. Reflecting on his past habits, he admitted that he could barely remember a single day since his college years when he was not drinking or smoking cannabis. He recognized those habits as emotional pacifiers meant to escape difficult feelings, adding at the time that he felt genuinely happy to move past them. ## Is Brad Pitt Drinking Again? Despite committing to total abstinence for several years after the split, Pitt's approach to alcohol eventually shifted. In later comments about his current lifestyle, the *F1* leading man revealed that he had returned to drinking, though he emphasized that he now partakes in a much more restrained and disciplined manner. Navigating sobriety presented a unique challenge for Pitt, who spent years co-owning the famed Chateau Miraval winery in France. Balancing a massive commercial wine venture alongside his personal health journey required significant boundaries, especially when attending industry events surrounded by alcohol. Pitt's public remarks over the years paint a complex picture of modern recovery, demonstrating how major life transitions forced him to reexamine his reliance on vices while forging a new path forward.

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People also ask

Why did Brad Pitt go to Alcoholics Anonymous?
Brad Pitt began attending Alcoholics Anonymous in 2016 after a private jet incident involving his family prompted a child welfare investigation. He was later cleared by authorities and sought help to address his relationship with alcohol.
Did Brad Pitt start drinking alcohol again?
Yes, Brad Pitt later confirmed that he resumed drinking alcohol after years of abstinence. However, the actor noted that he now drinks in a more restrained and controlled manner compared to his past habits.