Actor Brad Pitt recently disclosed that he has resumed drinking alcohol in moderation after maintaining seven years of sobriety, a decision that has prompted warnings from addiction experts.

In an interview published on August 10, Pitt stated, "I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon." He explained that he now consumes alcohol "in a more restrained manner," avoiding large quantities. Pitt acknowledged experiencing moments of overconfidence, realizing, "‘Yep, nope, not good for me,’" and emphasized the need to remain professional.

Pitt had previously spoken about his sobriety in a 2019 interview, revealing he had spent 18 months in Alcoholics Anonymous. At that time, he stated, "I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges."

Jessica Steinman, a Los Angeles-based addiction specialist and chief clinical officer for No Matter What Recovery, generally advises against individuals returning to alcohol after a problematic history with it. She warned that "testing the waters" can potentially be "dangerous."

"There are people who struggle with substances and take a very large break, have a long period of sobriety and recovery, and they may choose to integrate it back into their lives," Steinman told Fox News Digital. "As an addiction professional, as someone who's been in this field for a very long time, I don’t see a whole lot of success with that."

Steinman characterized those who successfully reintroduce substances into their lives after a period of abstinence as "anomalies and exceptions to the rule." She explained that addiction can alter the brain's reward system, making it highly responsive to the dopamine release associated with substance use, a change that does not disappear but rather lies dormant.

"And that doesn't go away – it lays dormant," Steinman said, comparing it to a bear in hibernation. "If you wake that bear … life can quickly become unmanageable. So they want to be very mindful of that happening."

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines alcohol use disorder (AUD) as an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences, with the condition ranging from mild to severe. The NIAAA notes that alcohol addiction involves changes across multiple brain systems related to rewards, stress, decision-making, and learned responses to alcohol-related cues, and that some of these changes can persist even after drinking stops.

Steinman likened managing a history of alcohol use disorder to managing other chronic illnesses. "I liken it to diabetes or heart disease – you have to manage this health issue," she said. "And it's the same thing for alcoholism and substance use issues."

While the NIAAA acknowledges that alcohol addiction can make some individuals vulnerable to relapse, the agency also notes that each recovery trajectory is unique. For those who have returned to drinking after a period of sobriety, Steinman identified warning signs that could indicate the return of problematic patterns. These may include escalating consumption, erratic behavior, drinking alone, secret drinking, and drinking during the day.

Steinman also noted that the concept of moderation can vary significantly among individuals. "Is it one drink a day? Is it a drink at dinner only? I've had people try out moderation by not having liquor at all and just sticking to beer and wine," she said. "So it's all these different trials that they're doing when someone starts seeing an escalation."

She advised that anyone observing problematic behaviors related to alcohol or drug consumption should consult with an addiction counselor. The NIAAA generally recommends abstinence from drinking for individuals with alcohol use disorder to achieve the "greatest chance of long-term success." However, the agency also acknowledges that some individuals can return to occasional drinking without resuming problematic use, emphasizing that specific treatment goals should be determined in consultation with a doctor or addiction specialist.