Profiles Of Addiction Recovery | Drew Barrymore

From a young age, Hollywood veteran actress Drew Barrymore struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, mental health problems, and suicide attempts as well as eventual divorces from her parents and ex-husband Will Kopelman.

Despite her personal struggles as a “party girl” starting when she was less than 10 years old, Barrymore has been open about her health problems and attempts to seek help.

In recent interviews and news features, she has stressed the need for balance in her personal life, and the role her children and career play in motivating her to get sober.

Early Exposure To Drugs

Drew Barrymore’s father John Barrymore struggled with alcohol addiction, which took a toll on the family. 

Her mother, Jaid Barrymore, introduced a 9-year-old Drew Barrymore to a New York nightclub known as Studio 54, where she was exposed to drugs and sexually provocative situations while she was still a child.

Cocaine Use & Drug Problems

Barrymore stated in interviews that she abused cocaine before she was 12, after her breakout role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the age of 6. 

Her drug abuse led to Hollywood blacklisting the child star. Her personal and professional problems continued at a young age, as she may have attempted suicide at the age of 14.

Continued Substance Use Issues

Although Barrymore escaped her parents’ legal custody at 14, her struggles with drug and alcohol abuse continued beyond her child star years. 

Even as her stardom continued to grow through roles in Charlie’s Angels, Never Been Kissed, 50 First Dates, The Wedding Singer, and other successful films, her substance abuse continued to cast a shadow over her personal life.

Vocal About Addiction Recovery

Drew Barrymore recognized the dangers of substance abuse from a young age. She told The Guardian that she recognized her poor health and mental state at 13 as a dark place in her life. However, Barrymore’s road to recovery was not straightforward.

Although her acting career has taken a backseat in recent years, Barrymore has remained in the public eye as the talk show host of the eponymous The Drew Barrymore Show. 

In a 2021 episode, she had a candid conversation about addiction and recovery with guest Machine Gun Kelly.

Barrymore cites her children and the continued success of The Drew Barrymore Show as motivation to stay sober and better herself.

Did Drew Barrymore Go To Rehab?

The first time Drew Barrymore entered rehab she was only 12 years old. 

Her mother forcefully placed her in a mental institution at the age of 14, which may have contributed to her losing custody over Barrymore. Barrymore continued to enter and leave rehab programs well into her adult years.

After Barrymore’s divorce from Kopelman in 2016, she entered an addiction treatment program in Utah. In a 2021 interview with CBS This Morning, Barrymore stated she had been sober from alcohol for two and a half years.

Recovery Is Possible

Recovering from drug or alcohol addiction can be difficult on your own. 

The right support system and treatment programs can help improve your chances of staying sober in the long term. To find out if our treatment options will work for you, please contact us today.