Renowned actor and director Bradley Cooper recently shared his journey to sobriety, revealing a challenging period of addiction to both drugs and alcohol that he faced early in his acting career.
In a conversation with adventurer Bear Grylls, Cooper reflected on the dark episode that unfolded after he suffered an Achilles tendon injury and was subsequently fired from the series "Alias" in 2003.
During this difficult time, Cooper confessed to adopting a nihilistic attitude toward life, fearing for his own mortality. However, a pivotal moment prompted him to accept his true self and seek inner peace. "I realized I wasn't going to live up to my potential, and that scared the hell out of me. I thought, 'Wow, really, I'm going to ruin my life,'" he shared.
The turning point in Cooper's journey to sobriety came after he filmed a commercial for Dell computers. Describing it as a significant step forward, he acknowledged his luck in getting sober at the age of 29, maintaining his sobriety for 19 years.
Recounting a poignant moment at a party where he injured himself, hitting his head on the floor, Cooper acknowledged the wake-up call: "I said to myself: 'Hey! Look how hard I am.' I got up, and the blood was dripping... And I did it again. I spent the night in the hospital waiting to be sewn up."
Cooper credits his friend and colleague Will Arnett for helping him navigate through this challenging stage in his life. Reflecting on a dinner where Arnett candidly confronted him about his behavior, Cooper admitted, "Will Arnett was like, 'You were a real idiot, man.' That was the first time I realized that I had a problem with drugs and alcohol. The guy who I think makes bad humor is telling me the truth, and that changed my life."
Expressing deep admiration for Arnett, Cooper emphasized, "I was very lost and addicted to cocaine, and Will risked having that tough conversation with me in July 2004. It really was Will Arnett. He's the reason."
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