Drew Barrymore was open about his history with substance use in the past; As a teenager, she wrote a memoir about her experience with slavery. But as an adult, she was a little more secretive about her relationship with drugs and alcohol. In 2021, CNN says he’s on a “calm, confident journey” with alcoholism and has been abstinent for more than two years. Now, in the December issue of “True,” Barrymore talks more about her decision to quit drinking and the impact it’s had on her life three years later.
She chronicled her journey in a particularly candid version of the publication’s “Take Care of Yourself” article. An entertainer tonight, the “Never Been Kissed” star called her sobriety “one of the most liberating things in my life’s journey” and a true act of self-love. She encouraged her readers to make room for such acts of self-care this holiday season.
“One of the bravest things you can do is to slay those dragons and finally change the vicious cycle you’re stuck in. For me, that means stopping drinking,” Barrymore writes. On a personal level, he adds, giving up alcohol is a way to “finally escape the torture of guilt and dysfunction.” While not everyone specifically needs to give up alcohol, according to Barrymore, it’s simply acknowledging that it’s okay to make yourself a priority. “I truly believe that so much love goes out there,” she continues in her essay. “It can feel selfish to turn that spotlight on us. Do I need to accommodate? It’s sometimes out of control.”
“One of the bravest things you can do is slay those dragons and finally reverse a vicious cycle you’re stuck in.”
December Edition of “Drew”Big hot hug issue“With the importance of self-care and compassion, it’s easy to lose sight of both concepts when we focus on friends and family during the holidays. So when we enter, it can sometimes be very hectic and overwhelming. At certain times of the year, Barrymore gives us all a chance to take a breath and give us a little grace. She gives him a reminder to — she admits she’s still learning to pick herself up.
“During the holidays, when we expend so much energy trying to measure up to the picture-perfect standards set by the world’s Norman Rockwells, I want you to remember to give a pass — a hug. It was — and I’ll try,” Barrymore writes. “Take a moment, breathe, give yourself a push. We’re all doing the best we can here. That’s something to celebrate.”
If you or someone you know struggles with an alcohol use disorder, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has resources, including a national 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). You can also text your zip code to 435748 (HELP4U) for treatment referral and information services.
