Alec Baldwin has opened up about being sober for almost 40 years.
“I don’t discuss it much,” Baldwin, 66, said on the Wednesday, May 1, episode of the “Our Way with Paul Anka and Skip Bronson” podcast. “I discuss it every now and then when it makes sense. I am 39 years sober. I got sober on February 23, 1985.”
Baldwin explained that his problems with substance abuse began when he moved from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983.
“I had a hot-button problem every day for two years. I think I snorted a line of cocaine from here to Saturn – did one on the rings of Saturn, then we came home,” he said 30 Rock Alum recalled. “I mean, cocaine was like coffee back then. Everyone did it all day long.”
Several of Hollywood’s biggest stars have spoken openly about their journey to sobriety over the years. Kelly Osbourne, who previously spoke about being sober for six years, revealed in April 2021 that she had relapsed and was working on the next steps. “I’m not proud of it. But I’m back on track,” she wrote via […]
After Baldwin stopped using drugs, he began relying on alcohol to cope with withdrawal.
“I stopped taking drugs [and] “My drinking has increased, which they tell you will happen,” he said. “And that’s what happened. I just started drinking.”
Baldwin added: “I don’t miss drugs at all, but I do miss drinking. I like to drink.”
Although he enjoys drinking, Baldwin assures that he has not relapsed, which he attributes to living in Manhattan.
Alec Baldwin circa 1995
David Keeler/Getty Images“New York relaxes me. I walk around and see aspects of it that I’ve never seen before,” added Baldwin, who returned to the Big Apple in 2014. “I [also try] meditate. Meditating with seven children [however] “It’s like trying to play table tennis on the deck of an aircraft carrier – it’s a real pain in the ass.”
Alec shares daughter Ireland, 28, with his ex-wife Kim Basinger and seven younger children with his wife Hilaria Baldwin. The actor and Hilaria, 40, share daughters Carmen, 10, Lucia, 3, and Ilaria, 2, as well as sons Rafael, 8, Leonardo, 7, Romeo, 5, and Eduardo, 3.
Alec Baldwin had a lot of public scandals throughout his life. From two arrests to the infamous voicemail he left for his daughter Ireland Baldwin, the 30 Rock alum has often made headlines for his controversial behavior – and perhaps never more seriously than when he was implicated in the deadly case […]
Alec has previously been open about his sobriety. During a March 2017 Good morning America In the interview, Alec attributed his decision to get clean to an overdose.
“I think I was one of the people who was lucky that it stuck, and if I hadn’t gotten it then, I probably would have gotten it eventually,” he said on an episode of ” GMA “I know that back then, what I’m describing – a drug overdose – was something I kept very secret for years. But I’m glad I did it when I did because not many people get sober at a young age.”
At that time he came to the conclusion: “There was really, really a lot of pain there. Lots of pain.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).