Brad Pitt Reveals Battle with Mental Health and Return to Drinking Amidst "Family Stuff"
LOS ANGELES, CA – In a candid and revealing interview, Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt, 62, has shed light on a profoundly challenging period in his life, attributing a significant decline in his mental well-being to personal and "family stuff." The veteran actor also discussed his past struggles with alcohol, his return to drinking after a seven-year period of sobriety, and the powerful role of his survival instincts during his darkest moments.
In a recent interview with Esquire, Pitt offered an introspective look into his mental health journey, reflecting on the profound personal challenges he has navigated over the past decade. The actor, who has been embroiled in a protracted legal battle with ex-wife Angelina Jolie, maintained that he has always considered himself an optimist and was not someone who typically experienced suicidal thoughts.
"I was never suicidal in any way. It just was not my makeup," Pitt stated. He described himself as a "congenital optimist," acknowledging that while his optimistic outlook has helped him through difficult times, it has also occasionally led to poor decisions.
"Family Stuff" Impacts Mental Health
While Pitt refrained from elaborating extensively on the specifics of his family circumstances, he openly acknowledged that "family stuff" played a pivotal role in a period when his mental health significantly deteriorated.
Pitt and Jolie, once dubbed "Brangelina" and one of Hollywood’s most iconic couples, separated in 2016 after two years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in December 2024, following years of intense legal disputes that have kept their private lives under public scrutiny. The former couple shares six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox. Recent reports and court filings indicate that several of their children have opted to no longer use Pitt’s surname.
Overwhelming Emotional Pain and Survival Instincts
Pitt described a particularly dark phase where, despite not intending to act on suicidal thoughts, the emotional pain became so overwhelming that he gained an understanding of why someone might view suicide as an escape from suffering.
"I’ve never been suicidal except for one little period. And in that one little period, I just didn’t see a way out," Pitt revealed. "The pain was so oppressive," he recalled, explaining that the thought of suicide presented itself as a form of relief from that profound agony. However, he emphasized that his innate survival instinct ultimately prevailed. "But I also think we have incredible survival instincts. And for me, that immediately kicked in," he added.
A Controlled Return to Alcohol After Seven Years of Sobriety
The acclaimed actor also spoke openly about his relationship with alcohol. Pitt disclosed that after maintaining sobriety for seven years, he eventually began drinking again. However, he stressed that his current approach to alcohol is far more controlled and disciplined.
"I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon," Pitt admitted with a chuckle. He emphasized that he does not consume large quantities and has learned to recognize when alcohol is detrimental to him. "In a more restrained manner. I got overconfident a couple times, went, ‘Yep, nope, not good for me.’ Not in big quantities," he clarified. Pitt explained that while he can have a few drinks, he must remain disciplined about it: "I can have a few, but I can’t have a lot. I have to be professional about it."
Previous Sobriety Journey and Support
Pitt has previously spoken publicly about his decision to stop drinking following his separation from Jolie. In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, he revealed attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for approximately a year and a half. He later credited fellow actor Bradley Cooper with providing crucial support during his initial sobriety journey. In a June 2025 appearance on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast, Pitt reflected on the difficulty of that period and his willingness to accept help, stating, "I was pretty much on my knees, and I was really open. I was trying anything and everyone."
The Ongoing Legal Saga with Angelina Jolie
Pitt and Jolie’s personal struggles have unfolded against the backdrop of a prolonged and often public legal battle that commenced after their 2016 separation. The disputes included a contentious fight over Château Miraval, their jointly owned French vineyard. Jolie has made allegations of physical abuse against Pitt in legal filings, including claims related to an alleged 2016 incident aboard a private flight from France to Los Angeles. Pitt has consistently denied these allegations. The FBI investigated the 2016 incident but did not pursue criminal charges against the actor. Their divorce was ultimately finalized in December 2024, concluding years of complex legal proceedings.
