We as a society are so used to child actors being in the news for drug and alcohol use and watching as spectators as they have runs-ins with the law time and again, it is surprising when we find out one of the biggest young stars of the last decade managed to keep his alcoholism relatively quiet. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter for the duration of the epic movie series, was never seen on the L.A. party circuit. We never saw his mug shot plastered across the news for driving under the influence, or watched as he was traipsed in and out of courtrooms for ignoring a judge’s orders. Despite the absence of any negative behavior in the media, Radcliffe struggled with dependency on a daily basis throughout his teenage years.
Now Sober, Radcliffe Recalls the Years Caught in Addiction
The Harry Potter star is now 22 years old and in recovery, so he can look back on his days of hard drinking soberly and honestly. He has come to understand that he has an addictive disposition that he needs to keep in check. Although Radcliffe refuses to share many of the personal details while he was under the influence, he does acknowledge his relationship with alcohol became so unhealthy he was drinking to excess every night. His dependency accelerated to such a degree that he says he was unable to enjoy anything in life unless he was drinking. And to the shock of many fans, Radcliffe confesses that he can remember shooting many scenes in the Harry Potter series while under the influence, though he makes it a point to explain he never drank on set.
As his habit progressed, Radcliffe started blacking out frequently and wasn’t able to recall what he done. By the age of 20, he had become scared to leave the house because in his own words, “I was living in constant fear of who I’d meet, what I might have said to them, what I might have done with them, so I’d stay in my apartment for days and drink alone.” A year later at age 21, Radcliffe decided he needed help and sought out the services of an alcohol treatment program.
Although Radcliffe Is Famous, His Struggle Is the Same as Many Teenagers
Even though Radcliffe dealt with the pressure of being a role model to children the world over and used alcohol to cope, his addiction is similar to the issue faced by millions of teenagers in this country and abroad every day. Luckily for Radcliffe, he was able to perform his job and sought out treatment before his career was affected negatively.
If you or a teen you care about is struggling with drugs and alcohol, then learn from Radcliffe’s example and seek treatment before you lose everything. There is no need to hit rock bottom before you get help. Pick up the phone and discuss all the available rehab options we can offer you today.
