For seven years, Brad Pitt beamed that his commitment to total sobriety was a cornerstone of his post-divorce public narrative.
Following his high-profile 2016 split from Angelina Jolie, the Oscar-winning filmmaker actor publicly acknowledged his past struggles with alcohol, praising recovery groups and stepping away from drinking entirely.
However, the 62-year-old star has now confirmed a shift in his lifestyle, revealing that he has chosen to resume drinking on a limited basis.
Talking about how he handles drinking now after years without alcohol, Pitt said: “In a more restrained manner… I got over-confident a couple times, went, ‘Yep, nope, not good for me.’ Not in big quantities.”
The businessman went on to explain that he now feels capable of enjoying moderation without letting his habits slide back into addiction.
The actor claimed: “I can have a few… I have to be professional about it.” Pitt shared his version of boundaries when drinking by saying: “It was a gradual process in recent years as Brad slowly figured out how he felt comfortable and what he felt was appropriate for him.”
Acknowledging that those in his immediate social circle began taking notice of his changing habits during gatherings, an insider claimed:
“Friends have become more aware of it recently.”
Ines De Ramon Plays A Key Role As Brad Pitt Navigates Personal Strains
While close friends have observed his return to social drinking alongside his girlfriend of four years, jewelry executive Ines de Ramon, much of the focus has shifted toward how the couple manages his boundaries.
Rather than enforcing strict rules, de Ramon reportedly acts as a supportive presence in his life while he copes with major personal losses, including his mother’s death and a prolonged legal battle.
Detailing the supportive dynamic between the couple as they navigate his relationship with alcohol, the source revealed: “Ines smokes and likes a glass of wine or two, especially at dinner. She’s never set boundaries with Brad, but until recently he’s managed to hold off alcohol. He’s made a pact with Ines that she won’t let his habit get out of control. Brad had one of the most stressful years of his life. On top of dealing with what seemed like a never-ending divorce, he’s found it very difficult to get over his mother’s death. Ines understands the strain the past year has been for him. She’s by his side to make sure he doesn’t overdo it.”
Angelina Jolie And The Family Divide: Kids, Divorce, And Legal Battles
Unsurprisingly, ex-wife Angelina Jolie is reportedly “not surprised” by his decision to resume drinking. While commentators have pointed to the timing of his choice — noting that his initial sobriety coincided with efforts to repair family relationships — his representatives maintain that his personal choices are not tied to his ongoing family challenges.
Addressing rumors that the painful estrangement from his children served as the catalyst for his return to drinking, the source revealed: “The extraordinarily painful isolation from his children has been difficult, but his decision to drink is independent of this. It was not because of the name changes.”
Outlining the emotional impact on the actor as his children systematically chose to drop his surname in court filings, the insider claimed: “Brad knew when Shiloh got approval for dropping Pitt from her name in late 2024, his other children would follow suit. He was humiliated every time another one did – there was nothing he could do about it.”
Even though their divorce is final, Pitt and Jolie are still involved in the contentious “War of the Rosé” lawsuit over their 1,200-acre Château Miraval estate in France, where they started their wine business.
A source shared how Pitt feels about his mindset and future while these legal battles continue: “Although they’re still battling it out, he doesn’t feel that falling off the wagon will be an issue. If he wasn’t so much in love and in such a great place in his career, the sadness of his family and Angie issues would be way too much. When it’s all done, and she’s completely out of his life, he feels he’ll finally be able to breathe again.”
Mr. Pitt is no longer trying to craft a perfect Hollywood image.
