Drew Barrymore On 'Liberating' Decision to Stop Drinking Alcohol

The actress and talk show host wrote about being sober in a new essay.

In a recent edition of her own publication, Drew, Hollywood actress and television host Drew Barrymore expressed her feelings about sobriety, describing it as "liberating." Barrymore penned an essay in the issue's "Take Care of Yourself" feature where she shed light on her journey to stop drinking. She cited it as one of the most freeing aspects of her life's voyage, as reported by Entertainment Tonight.

Barrymore wrote about the courage it takes to confront personal demons and break free from damaging cycles of behavior. For her, breaking that cycle meant giving up alcohol, thereby liberating herself from the harsh cycle of guilt and dysfunctionality.

Barrymore has previously openly shared her struggle with maintaining sobriety. During a December 2021 segment on CBS This Morning, she admitted that alcohol did not have a beneficial place in her life. At that time, she hadn't consumed any alcoholic beverage for over two years, but she didn't divulge further details on why she decided to quit drinking alcohol.

The talk show host has also been candid about her drug use history. According to The Sun, Barrymore began using marijuana and cocaine when she was around 12 years old and later sought treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. In spite of her past, Barrymore stated in a 2021 interview on the YouTube show 4D with Demi Lovato, that she wouldn't change a thing. She emphasized the importance of her younger self understanding the fleeting nature of everything.

Statistics show that alcohol consumption is widespread in the U.S. A 2019 national survey on drug use and health revealed that more than 85% of people aged 18 or older have consumed alcohol at some point in their lives. Almost 26% of this demographic admitted to binge drinking in the preceding month. Furthermore, in 2019, 14.5 million people aged 12 and older (or roughly 5% of this age group) were diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

However, stepping away from alcohol can have its benefits even if you're not suffering from AUD, according to Hilary Sheinbaum, author of The Dry Challenge. Not drinking can reduce anxiety about hangovers and their potential impact on your plans, save money that would otherwise be spent on expensive drinks, and allow for clearer social interactions.

In addition to giving up alcohol, Barrymore emphasizes the importance of self-care and encourages others to prioritize it as well. In her essay, she urges readers to be kind to themselves during the holiday season, which often comes with high expectations of perfection. She advocates for pausing, taking a deep breath, and offering oneself a squeeze, acknowledging that we are all doing our best.

If you need assistance with drug addiction or more information, you can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's confidential 24-hour hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).