Patrick Stewart Opens Up On ‘Losing His Way’ And Battling Alcohol Abuse In His 50s

Patrick Stewart gained early recognition for his exceptional performances in Shakespearean productions during the ’60s and ’70s, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and critics. He achieved global acclaim by portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and other subsequent movies in the Star Trek franchise.

Despite having a successful career spanning more than six decades, the legendary actor recently disclosed that his life took a different turn during his 50s and he faced his fair share of personal challenges, which led him to undergo therapy.

Patrick Stewart battled with alcohol and substance abuse

In his latest memoir, Making It So, the 83-year-old, who recently experienced a bitter separation from wife Sheila Falconer, candidly reminisced on a turbulent period in his life that unfolded in the early ’90s. During this challenging phase, Stewart openly admitted to grappling with his emotions and resorting to the use of alcohol and medication as a means of coping with the overwhelming difficulties that life had presented him.

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“Making It So, I felt my life had lost its way,” the actor detailed. “Sleeping pills, yes. Alcohol, yes. They became a part of my life.”

Patrick Stewart sought professional help for his alcohol and substance abuse

In another part of the memoir, Stewart opened up about his courageous decision to seek professional assistance, a choice that would ultimately steer him away from the abyss of his troubles.

“Eventually, I became able to deal with that. Again, that’s the advantage of beautiful therapy — that you can talk to someone,” he confessed. “Of course, most of the time they say, ‘And how did that make you feel? What was that like?’ You know, I think most of us spiral downward from time to time. There are moments when we ask questions of ourselves, unfairly perhaps. My hope is that it’s all behind me.”