Brad Pitt Candidly Shares His Journey of Recovery: “I Needed Rebooting”

London, CNN — On the red carpet for the premiere of “F1: The Movie” in London this June, Brad Pitt looked every bit the Hollywood icon. But behind the scenes, Pitt has been on a far more personal and challenging journey—one that he opened up about with rare candor during his recent appearance on the podcast “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.”

A Raw Admission: Hitting Rock Bottom

Speaking with host Dax Shepard—himself no stranger to the struggles of addiction—Brad Pitt didn’t sugarcoat the darkest moments of his recovery. “I was pretty much on my back, on my knees. I was really open. I was trying anything anyone threw at me,” Pitt recalled of his first days attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. “It was a particularly difficult time. I needed rebooting. I needed to wake the f**k up in some areas.”

Shepard, who met Pitt at an AA meeting, nodded in understanding. “You don’t come into AA because everything’s working out fantastic,” he joked. “It’s not the winner’s club. Your hair has gotta be on fire before you go like, ‘Yeah, I’ll go hang with a bunch of dudes and talk about emotions.’”

Pitt agreed wholeheartedly, reflecting on how difficult it was to reach that point—and how necessary it was for his transformation.

The Turning Point: Choosing Sobriety

Brad Pitt’s battle with alcohol came to a head after his highly publicized split from Angelina Jolie in 2016. In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, he admitted, “I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges.” That decision marked the beginning of a new chapter—one defined by honesty, humility, and a willingness to change.

On “Armchair Expert,” Pitt revealed another side of himself: “I can be a stubborn fk,” he admitted with a wry smile. “But when I’ve stepped in st, I’m pretty good at taking responsibility for it and owning up to it. Now it’s a quest to what can I do with this and how can I right this and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Be better, step up.”

Finding Strength in Brotherhood

For Pitt, the camaraderie and vulnerability of the recovery group became a source of strength. “It became a thing for me, something I looked forward to,” he said, describing how the honesty of other men in his group inspired him to keep going. The experience, he explained, wasn’t just about quitting drinking—it was about waking up to life, facing his flaws head-on, and striving to become a better man.

A New Role, A New Chapter

Now, as he gears up for the release of “F1: The Movie” on June 27, Pitt’s journey of self-discovery and resilience adds a new layer to his public image. No longer just a heartthrob or a leading man, he is also a testament to the power of vulnerability and the importance of seeking help when life spins out of control.

Brad Pitt’s story is a reminder that even the brightest stars face darkness—and that recovery, though never easy, is always possible for those willing to reboot, own their mistakes, and strive for something better.