Brad Pitt has unveiled his personal journey with Alcoholics Anonymous in a candid conversation. On the June 23rd episode of Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert," the 61-year-old Academy Award winner delved into his experiences within the support group. The duo also recounted their initial encounter at an AA meeting, where they forged a friendship.
Describing AA as an "amazing phenomenon," Pitt emphasized, "I was blown away by these incredible individuals sharing their stories, flaws, missteps, desires, pain, and even humor. It was truly a unique and profound experience."
Shepard, 50, who has been open about his own battles with addiction and sobriety, pondered if Pitt felt "anxious" about discussing their shared history in public, given the intense honesty and vulnerability inherent in AA settings. Pitt reassuringly replied, "I felt quite at ease."
He further shared that, although initially "shy" about joining the group, he didn't hesitate to open up due to the depths of his struggles at the time. "I was at rock bottom, utterly vulnerable," Pitt confessed to Shepard. "I was willing to try anything and talk to anyone. It was a tumultuous period. I needed a reset, a wake-up call in certain aspects of my life. AA meant the world to me."
Pitt also admitted to being a "stubborn sod" but highlighted his positive attributes. "When I mess up, I'm good at owning up and taking responsibility. Now, it's about figuring out, 'What do I do with this? How can I make amends?' and ensure it doesn't happen again," he said.
After a few sessions, Pitt revealed that AA meetings became something he eagerly anticipated. Comparing his approach to therapy, he said, "When I embarked on therapy, I was desperate, spilling everything, 'I did this, I did that,' and so on."
Shepard concurred, "You don't join AA when everything's going great." Pitt quipped back, "Exactly. That's not usually the entrance requirement."
"It's not a club for winners," Shepard added. "You join when you're in desperate need, like, 'Yeah, I'll hang out with these guys and talk about my emotions.'"
Pitt first disclosed his AA journey in a 2019 New York Times profile. He entered the program in 2016, shortly after his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, filed for divorce. "Exposing the ugly sides of myself was actually liberating," he told the publication at the time. "There's immense value in that."
