Josh Brolin opens up about his sobriety journey, crediting stepmom Barbra Streisand's candid approach for helping him quit drinking. Discover how her unwavering support and directness inspired Brolin to embrace a sober lifestyle.
- Barbra Streisand's tough love is coming out
- Josh Brolin's sobriety journey is due in part to her
- THIS was the impact of his addiction
Streisand strikes
Josh Brolin's path to sobriety has been a long and challenging one, with a significant influence coming from an unexpected source—his stepmother, Barbra Streisand.
During an appearance on 'The Howard Stern Show,' Brolin, known for his roles in films like 'Dune,' shared how Streisand's straightforward approach played a pivotal role in his decision to quit drinking.
The actor, who stopped consuming alcohol in 2013, recounted a moment when Streisand bluntly questioned his request for wine, saying, “But aren’t you a drunk?” This instance of tough love, as Brolin described, was a catalyst for his journey to sobriety.
Streisand's candidness wasn't just a one-time occurrence; it was a consistent part of her relationship with Brolin. He explained how her direct nature reminded him of a healthier version of his own mother. "We argued for years, you know, because she was very straightforward," he said.
He added of Streisand, “She was this kind of, like, typical Jewish mother who was like, ‘You can’t do that because that would hurt you. You know, you gotta eat. You look too skinny.’ … She’s like, ‘Why would you drink? You’re an alcoholic.’”
Brolin said he “loved that level of honesty, regardless of my reaction. I’m like, ‘Look, you’re not gonna stop me from doing what I want to do. I’m an adult.’ And she was like, ‘No. You’re an alcoholic. I’m not gonna give you wine. Alcoholics can’t drink wine because it’s bad for them.’”
Brolin's Sobriety Journey
Brolin's struggle with addiction began early in life. In his memoir, 'From Under the Truck,' he candidly discusses his battle with alcohol, describing how he was raised to drink like his mother. He first experimented with drugs at a young age, which spiraled into a long-term struggle with substance abuse.
“I was born to drink. I was birthed to drink. My mother drank exactly like I did, and I was raised to be a man and drink like the male equivalent of my mother,” Brolin writes in the book.
He first tried marijuana at 9 and dropped acid at 13, leading him into a long road of substance abuse, particularly alcoholism. He tried to keep his drinking away from his two eldest children.
Despite his efforts to shield his children from his drinking, it was an incident eleven years ago that marked a turning point. After waking up hungover outside his home, he visited his grandmother's deathbed, realizing he was at a critical juncture in his life. This moment of clarity led him to decide that it was time to stop drinking.
Family dynamics have played a crucial role in Brolin's life, both in his struggles and his recovery. His relationship with his father, James Brolin, and Streisand's influence have been significant in shaping his journey. Streisand's unwavering support and directness provided the honesty Brolin needed to confront his addiction.
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A beautiful bond
Her refusal to enable his drinking, insisting, “No. You’re an alcoholic. I’m not gonna give you wine,” was a language he eventually learned to appreciate and embrace. Today, Brolin credits this tough love for helping him become a better parent and live a healthier life.
