Tom Holland Shares Powerful and Difficult Journey With Sobriety

In a recent podcast, Tom Holland opened up about his struggles with alcohol abuse. The Spider-Man actor delved into his journey and recovery from addiction.

Tom Holland appeared on the popular podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty this week. In conversation with Jay Shetty, Holland discussed topics, such as social anxiety and family life. The actor also got vulnerable about his struggles and successes.

Tom Holland has drawn much media attention for his personal and public life. Unfortunately, this level of fame often has negative impacts on celebrities. One of the comments that Holland addressed was the rumor that he had suffered a nervous breakdown. He then stated that he simply needed a break from the toxicity of constant rumors and comments: “It was becoming a problem. I was just obsessed with it, and I was obsessed to find out what people were saying and how they thought about me.” The actor decided to step away from social media for his mental health.

Additionally, Holland continued with his vulnerability and honesty when discussing his sobriety journey. At the time of the podcast recording, he had given up alcohol a year and a half ago. Then Jay Shetty asked Holland how he recognized and responded to his alcohol addiction. The actor eventually revealed that he had challenged himself to a month without alcohol and realized how much he relied on it. “All I could think about was having a drink… I was waking up thinking about it, I was checking the clock… and it just really scared me.”

Realizing how difficult he found it to stop drinking, Holland decided to prolong his sobriety. He explained that the lack of drinking would make him severely anxious and uncomfortable. Recognizing these red flags, he wanted to prove to himself that he didn’t need to drink. Holland began to notice a change after prolonging his sobriety from January to June. He felt “the happiest (he’d) ever been in (his) life.” Additionally, he was getting better sleep and gaining mental clarity. These positive side effects convinced Holland that he wanted to cut alcohol out of his life altogether.

Although Tom Holland’s journey was difficult, the actor has a strong support system and shared how his friends are “super supportive” of his sobriety.

No one should have to go through it alone. If you struggle with alcohol addiction, you can reach out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline here.