Warning: This article contains discussion of alcoholism which some readers may find distressing.
Daniel Radcliffe had a major ‘wake-up call’ while drinking that led to him becoming fully sober.
The actor is one of many major stars who have given up alcohol, having joined the likes of Tom Holland in speaking openly about sobriety.
Radcliffe spent much of his childhood growing up in the spotlight thanks to his star role in the Harry Potter films. And that certainly came with its challenges.
By the time he was working on the sixth movie at the age of 18, the actor recognised he had a problem with drinking, having previously told Heat Magazine he can pick out various series where he was ‘just gone’ and ‘dead behind the eyes’.
Radcliffe has been sober for over a decade. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
“In my case, the quickest way to forget about the fact that you’re being watched is to get very drunk,” he told Off Camera in 2019.
“And 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.'”
Radcliffe also admitted to becoming ‘dependent’ on alcohol to ‘enjoy anything’.
The now 35-year-old first went sober in 2010 but relapsed in 2012, leading to him being involved in an altercation in a bar in New York.
In what was a ‘wake-up’ call for the star, he ended up in a brawl with the DJ and was asked to leave the place, causing a media frenzy.
Following this, Radcliffe gave up drinking again and has been committed to sobriety since.
He previously told The Telegraph: “I feel much more settled mentally. I’m more in tune with what makes me happy. I’m the type of person who changes when I drink.”
He recognised he had a problem at a young age. (Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
The actor now takes long walks when he experiences an urge to drink and maintains a regular gym routine.
Sobriety has also enabled him to get back into old habits and find new things to enjoy.
“I was a voracious reader as a teenager, but drinking strangely took that away from me. I lost the desire and energy to read. I’ve regained that now,” he added.
Going sober has enabled Radcliffe to be more comfortable with himself and he is able to live ‘without dread and fear and it is lovely’.
Dry January is a campaign developed by Alcohol Change UK, you can find support and resources for taking part here.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
