Columnist Bryony Gordon has voiced disappointment and pity regarding actor Brad Pitt's recent interview with Esquire magazine, in which he stated he has resumed drinking alcohol after seven years of sobriety. Gordon questions Pitt's assertion that he can moderate his intake, suggesting it misunderstands the nature of alcoholism.
Pitt revealed in the interview that he has "got back off the wagon" but in a "more restrained manner," admitting he has had to stop himself from drinking in large quantities. He also stated he can now have "a few" glasses of wine but "can’t have a lot" and must be "professional about it." Gordon contrasted this with the experience of individuals with nut allergies who cannot safely consume nuts, even in small amounts.
Gordon, who has nine years of sobriety, argued that for individuals with a problematic relationship with alcohol, complete abstinence is often easier than moderation. She stated that in her experience, people who attempt to return to moderate drinking after a period of sobriety often relapse. She expressed concern that Pitt's public declaration could be unhelpful to the recovery community, where denial and delusion can have serious consequences.
The columnist noted that Pitt himself attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings following his divorce from Angelina Jolie in late 2016, suggesting he is aware of the challenges faced by those struggling with addiction. Gordon believes Pitt's statements are a form of "terrible acting," as they contradict the widely held understanding in recovery circles that "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic."
Reports indicate that following their split, Angelina Jolie filed a lawsuit alleging Pitt threw alcohol over her and their children during a private jet incident. While Pitt denies these claims, none of their six children reportedly speak to him, and several have sought to legally change their surname. Sources close to Jolie are said to not be surprised by news of Pitt drinking again.
Gordon concluded that beneath the celebrity facade, Pitt is a man struggling with a relapse, and his public comments could send a misleading message about addiction to a public that already misunderstands it. She emphasized the personal cost of addiction, stating she knows many alcoholics who have lost everything in attempts to drink normally, and that for those in recovery, "one drink is too many, a thousand is never enough."