For many actors, accomplishing the feat of capturing the hearts of children and their parents is a relatively difficult feat for many reasons, but one man who holds that distinction is the larger-than-life Brad Garrett. Since his humble beginnings as a standup comedian in the 1980s, the actor gained fame as Robert Barone, the sarcastic on-screen brother of Ray Romano on the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005), but his distinctively deep voice landed him endless opportunities in another field: voice acting. Throughout his career, Garrett has voiced larger-than-life bad boys and loveable lugs on shows like Mighty Ducks (1996-1997), 2 Stupid Dogs (1995-1997), Toonsylvania (1998-1999), and Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000), and has also starred in animated films like A Bug’s Life (1998), An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000), Finding Nemo (2003), and, most recently, Christopher Robin (2018). What you might not know, however, is that the actor suffered from a real-life battle with alcohol, and we are very happy to tell you he won. Let’s take a closer look at what he had to say.
Nighttime Drinker
In a 2015 interview on Entertainment Tonight, Garrett opened up the floodgates about his severe battle with alcoholism and what inspired him to seek a healthier life. Overall, he explains, he was a high-functioning alcoholic but, even more frightening, he concealed his sickness with perfect finesse. So why did it take so long for him to admit he had a problem? As Garett puts it, he never consumed alcohol during daylight hours and reserved his excursions to shadier times of the day. In the end, though, he admits he got the wake-up call just in time.
Comedy Is My Defense
Like many comedians, Garrett capitalized on his faults as a form of entertainment, but, in his 2015 book When the Balls Drop, the actor admits that he used his “big lug” routine as a defense mechanism. From his troubles with bullying in school to his divorce from his wife in 2007, Garrett shared his misery as a means of coping with the agonizing pain of alcohol use disorder.
So how is the beloved comedian faring now? Garrett has continued to star in hit films and continues to make us laugh (and even cry). If anything, he is a walking wonder.
Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Abuse or Alcoholism
Alcohol withdrawal can easily be one of the most frightening aspects of healing. During the course of the recovery process, you will suffer from minor to severe symptoms that may include night sweats, hallucinations, fevers, anxiety, and sadness, but always remember that you can find the strength to overcome these problems. However, you must always seek medical attention when you have decided to cut ties with alcohol, as the withdrawal process can be notoriously dangerous. Never attempt to do this without the supervision of a trained specialist.
If you are suffering from a severe case of alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
