Angelina Jolie, a renowned actress and humanitarian, has a complex history of addiction. Born in California in 1975 to actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand, Jolie embarked on her acting career early, starting with short films and television appearances before achieving notable roles in feature films like the 1995 cult classic “Hackers.” While she earned recognition for both her acting talent and striking beauty, Jolie has been relatively private about this period of her life, although she has hinted at her struggles with addiction through various interviews and book excerpts.
“I know addiction in all forms.”
In 1997, Angelina Jolie began to land prominent roles, including her performance opposite David Duchovny in “Playing God,” her appearance in the CBS miniseries “True Women,” and her role as a stripper in the Rolling Stones’ music video for “Anybody Seen My Baby.” As her fame expanded, so did the opportunities for larger roles, but it also brought increased temptations. Jolie has admitted to experimenting with a wide range of drugs during this time.
“I’ve done coke, heroin, ecstasy, LSD, everything”
The actress has acknowledged that her drug use was linked to longstanding issues with depression, which have troubled her since her teenage years. She has also shared that she engaged in self-harm as a way to cope with feelings of emptiness and loss. Cutting is sometimes used by individuals to alleviate emotional pain and gain a sense of control. While Jolie has not gone into great detail about her struggles, the stress of her fame and success is evident.
In her own words, “So I am very lucky. There are other artists and people that didn’t survive certain things … people can imagine that I did the most dangerous, and I did the worst…for many reasons, I shouldn’t be here. You just…too many times where you came close to too many dangerous things, too many chances taken too, too far.”
Jolie appeared in several high-profile films in the late nineties, such as “Gia” and “Girl, Interrupted.” In “Gia,” she portrayed a supermodel battling heroin addiction and eventually succumbing to AIDS. Known for her method acting at the time, Jolie remained in character even between takes. Her breakthrough came with the international blockbuster “Tomb Raider,” which solidified her status as a leading Hollywood star.
However, this success came with a shadow. During the filming of “Tomb Raider,” Jolie was required to undergo daily drug tests to keep her role. Her substance abuse issues became public when a 1998 video surfaced, showing her using heroin and cocaine. Despite her troubled past, which director Simon West attributed as part of her appeal for the role, Jolie’s performance in “Tomb Raider” proved to be a massive success.
Jolie has since turned away from drugs and alcohol, channeling her energy into humanitarian work. In 2001, she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. According to Jolie, this role provided the motivation she needed to move beyond her past struggles with substance abuse and to focus on helping others. The UN Refugee agency reports that Jolie has undertaken over 40 missions to some of the world’s most isolated regions.
U.S. Department of State United States, UNHCR Special Envoy Jolie Pitt Addresses the Audience at an Interfaith Iftar Reception to Mark World Refugee Day (27205501364), marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons.
Jolie has expressed a deep commitment to addressing global suffering, stating,
“We cannot close ourselves off to information and ignore the fact that millions of people are out there suffering. I honestly want to help. I don’t believe I feel differently from other people. I think we all want justice and equality, a chance for a life with meaning. All of us would like to believe that if we were in a bad situation someone would help us.”
Today, Jolie largely avoids the spotlight, focusing instead on her roles as a director and mother. She has directed three films, produced many more, and continues to attract wide audiences. Her extensive humanitarian efforts span refugees, conservation, community development, child immigration, education, human rights, and women’s rights. She has received several humanitarian awards, including being the first recipient of the Citizen of the World Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, Angelina Jolie’s journey provides inspiration for those battling substance abuse. Despite her past struggles with addiction and depression, she successfully redirected her life towards helping others. It’s never too late to seek help from a certified drug and alcohol rehab center to address addiction. Professional counselors and medical staff can support you in achieving sobriety and maintaining it. For more information and resources, visit Sunrise Recovery.
