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Brad Pitt announced that he drinks again after seven years of sobriety.

Some programs of recovery view abstinence as necessary, while others do not.

Many people commenting on Pitt’s decision are imposing their personal recovery views onto others’ journeys.

The internet is abuzz with the news that actor Brad Pitt revealed in a far-ranging interview that, “I got—I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon.” Asked about this choice, he elaborated that he drinks in a “more restrained manner. I got overconfident a couple times, went, Yep, nope, not good for me. Not in big quantities.” He further states, "I can have a few. But I can’t have a lot. I have to be professional about it.”

Pitt has been very public about his sobriety over the years. He has discussed how his divorce from Angelina Jolie prompted him to go to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. While it was not an instant fit for him, he did find support in the AA fellowship. He publicly thanked actor Bradley Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala, saying, “I got sober because of this guy and every day has been happier ever since.”

Is abstinence necessary?

Why does it........

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