Actor Russell Brand Celebrates 20 Years Sober
By Movieguide®️ Contributor
Everyone needs a little help from their friends, and actor Russell Brand knows he is no exception.
The Hollywood actor recently took to Instagram to celebrate a huge milestone of 20 years of sobriety, that would not have been possible without a supportive community.
“I’m 20 years clean and sober today,” Brand said. “It’s December the 13th. So, firstly, I wanted to express my gratitude for all the people who have helped me to remain clean and sober. It is never done on your own.”
Specifically, the comedian stated how it is important to have people who have gone through addiction as well that “understand what it’s like to feel that drugs or alcohol … certain behaviors are necessary in order to feel OK.”
Brand gave some words of encouragement for those who are currently struggling with addiction or know somebody who is struggling and they feel that they can’t be healed.
“There is a way back for them. There’s a way back to dignity, there’s a way back to behaving responsibly, and caringly. Those things are all possible and I’m grateful that I’ve been given the chance to live a different life,” Brand said. Speaking of addiction, the 47-year-old has spoken in the past about the dangers of porn, and has candidly spoken about trying to overcome that as well.
“[T]here’s a general feeling there in your core if you look at pornography that, ‘This isn’t what’s the best thing for me to do; this isn’t the best use of my time now.’” Brand said. He goes on to say, “I don’t put that laptop lid down and think, ‘There, what a productive piece of time spent connecting with the world.’”
He expressed that he wished to have “dominion over” himself in that area of his life, saying, “One day at a time, I’ll kick it out of my life.”
At the time, he expressed a certainly unpopular view of pornography and sex in general.
“Our attitudes toward sex have become warped and perverted and have deviated from its true function as an expression of love and a means for procreation because … the way we have designed and expressed it has become really, really confused,” Brand said.
As with porn, Brand says that overcoming drug and alcohol abuse is an “ongoing process.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Brand’s profession of faith that came out of his path to sobriety:
“I’ve been in recovery from drugs and alcohol for 14 and a half years. The longer I’ve been clean from drugs and alcohol, the more I’ve noticed that [our] own addiction—and perhaps addiction in general—is affecting our behavior in ways that we wouldn’t previously have assumed.”
Brand now believes that our society of self-gratification is what hinders us from fully following a life of Christian living. “I do think a spiritual and transcendent change is required for people to be free from addiction.” He continued, “And by spiritual change, I mean the transition from one’s life being predicated on self-fulfillment to a life predicated on service, which for me is a momentto-moment struggle.”
Brand revealed he recites the Lord’s Prayer every day and believes that “the teachings of Christ are more relevant now” than ever. While admitting he’s no theologian, the comedian doesn’t believe Jesus was merely a ‘good man’. Brand explains that if Jesus isn’t accessible to us now, “He’s just a sort of a scriptural rock star, just an icon. Unless Christ is right here, right now, in your heart, in your consciousness, then what is Christ?”
Despite this bold statement of faith, it was later reported that he is more “spiritual” than Christian and “embraces all religions.
May Russell Brand be grounded in the Christian faith and the words of Jesus— the only way to God the Father—as he continues on his journey free from addiction.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
