The actor Daniel Radcliffe got sober for the first time in 2010, a month after filming the last Harry Potter Movie.
Radcliffe says he struggled with becoming famous at a young age and getting recognized wherever he went. “In my case, the quickest way of forgetting about the fact that you were being watched was to get very drunk,” he said. “Then as you get very drunk, you become aware that, ‘Oh, people are watching more now because now I’m getting very drunk, so I should probably drink more to ignore that more.’”[1]
As the Harry Potter franchise was wrapping up, Radcliffe felt uncertain about what his next steps were. “A lot of drinking that happened towards the end of Potter and for a little bit after it finished, it was panic. A little bit not knowing what to do next—not being comfortable enough in who I was to remain sober.”[2]
Radcliffe, like many others with alcohol addiction, drank to relieve his internal discomfort. However—also like many others with alcohol use disorder—drinking made his life messy and brought out the worst in him. “There is something in any person who drinks in a way that’s clearly not good for them,” he said, “something that is attracted to that chaos. I change when I’m drunk. I’m one of those people who changes.”[3]
After a brief relapse, Radcliffe has now been sober since 2013. He stays sober in part by doing things he was unable to do during active addiction. He exercises a lot, and he’s an avid reader. “I was a really voracious reader in my teens and that was one of the things I found drinking took away from me, bizarrely, as a side effect,” he said. “I didn’t have the compulsion or energy to read anything. So I’ve got that back.”[4]
Chaos no longer feels like the ultimate goal for Radcliffe, who now feels more secure in himself and his interests. He says he’s, “more comfortable with the fact that I am a person that loves just hanging out with my friends. Or watching quiz shows. I am comfortable with the things about myself that I used to think, man, am I really boring? Should I be going out and getting wasted all the time?”
“I feel a lot more settled mentally, and am more comfortable with what makes me happy.”[5]
If you are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, there is help and hope. TruHealing Centers offers high-quality treatment for addiction and mental health disorders in facilities across the country. Our staff—many of whom are in recovery themselves—will help you build a life in recovery that makes you happy. Call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.
[1] https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/02/20/daniel-radcliffe-turned-alcohol-cope-harry-potter-fame/2931072002/
[2] https://www.indiewire.com/2020/03/daniel-radcliffe-harry-potter-alcoholism-1202218043/
[3] https://www.thefix.com/daniel-radcliffe-opens-about-how-he-maintains-sobriety
[4] https://www.thefix.com/daniel-radcliffe-opens-about-how-he-maintains-sobriety
[5] https://www.thefix.com/daniel-radcliffe-opens-about-how-he-maintains-sobriety