Selma Blair Discusses Alcohol Use to Cope With MS Symptoms

Selma Blair has revealed that she used alcohol to manage symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including nerve pain and anxiety, and to help her sleep. The 54-year-old actress discussed her past reliance on alcohol on a recent episode of Jenny McCarthy's podcast, which was taped before Blair's October 11 airport arrest following an incident on a Delta flight.

Blair stated that she began using alcohol at a young age to alleviate headaches, anxiety, and nerve pain. "I was just always feeling tired and depressed and that was horrible," she said, reflecting on her past use. While she doesn't adhere to a strictly sober lifestyle, Blair acknowledged that drinking is not something she can do. "I wish I could be someone that could have two glasses of wine and just be flirty and fun and listen better," she shared, adding, "I'm still a human being, but I recognize that alcohol is not good medicine for me."

McCarthy noted that consuming alcohol with an autoimmune condition could be compared to "drinking toxic sludge." Blair confirmed that while she used alcohol for a long time during periods of distress, she did not typically drink in public, often using it as a way to fall asleep. She described the effect as passing out and waking up hours later, feeling unwell.

Blair also mentioned that she continues to take antidepressants and is hesitant to stop, due to fear. She is not currently on painkillers but takes other medications, which she is afraid to reduce. McCarthy shared a clip from the podcast on Instagram with a disclaimer that the interview was recorded before the recent events involving Blair.

This disclosure comes after Blair's appearance at 90s Con in Connecticut, following an alleged mid-air confrontation on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to JFK Airport. Authorities accused Blair of punching and biting crew members and attempting to open a plane door during the flight. Her attorney, Shawn Barnes, stated that Blair had missed multiple doses of her medication for MS prior to the incident. Barnes also claimed that Blair fell and hit her head during the flight, which, combined with the altitude, led to severe confusion and disorientation.

Blair has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault, related to allegedly kicking a Port Authority Police Department officer and a hospital nurse. Her representative stated that Blair experienced a medical emergency on the flight, and there was no attempt to open the aircraft door. The statement also addressed claims questioning her MS diagnosis, asserting that her condition is public knowledge and that she lives with daily pain. It also mentioned her pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition secondary to MS, which can affect how medical episodes present.

Delta Airlines issued a statement emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for unruly behavior and prioritizing the safety of customers and crew. Blair is scheduled for a hearing on January 19. She had a similar incident in June 2016, when she was removed from a flight after experiencing what she described as a blackout due to a combination of medication and alcohol.