Denzel Washington Opens Up About Overcoming Alcohol Struggles and Reflects on Sobriety Journey
Denzel Washington shares his 15-year struggle with alcohol, the turning point that led to his sobriety, and his reflections on life at 70 in a candid interview.
Hollywood icon Denzel Washington recently revealed his personal battle with alcohol in an interview with Esquire. The two-time Academy Award winner shared how his indulgence in wine spanned over 15 years, evolving from a casual habit into a deeper pattern.
“Wine is tricky. It’s slow—it doesn’t hit you all at once,” he explained. Washington recounted how building a home in 1999 with a 10,000-bottle wine cellar fueled his indulgence. “I was popping $4,000 bottles just because they were there. Later, I’d call fine wine shops for exclusive bottles,” he admitted.
Washington also reflected on experimenting with drugs in his youth, though he avoided dependency on substances like heroin or cocaine. However, drinking proved harder to shake, becoming a longstanding habit that began even before 1999.
The actor made the life-changing decision to quit drinking entirely a decade ago, just before turning 60. “I’ve been clean. Ten years this December. Stopping at sixty, I haven’t had a thimble’s worth since,” he shared.
Now at 70, Washington is embracing this new phase of life, stating, “This is the last chapter—if I get another thirty years, what do I want to do?” He hopes to emulate his late mother, who lived to 97, as he looks forward to what lies ahead.
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