'You can't even comprehend how hard it was': Cameron Diaz reveals Drew Barrymore's battle with alcoholism was 'difficult to watch'
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NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Cameron Diaz opened up about supporting Drew Barrymore through her substance abuse struggles in a heartfelt interview with the Los Angeles Times. Diaz shared that it was 'difficult to watch' her friend go through such a challenging time, but she remained optimistic that with the support of their friendship, Barrymore would find her way.
In a column, Barrymore revealed how her alcohol addiction spiraled during her divorce from Will Kopelman, leading her therapist to quit on her. “He just said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ It was really about my drinking. I said, ‘I get it. I’ve never respected you more. You see I’m not getting better. And I hope, one day, that I can earn your trust back,’” the '50 First Dates' star said. Despite concerns raised by her friends about her addiction, it was not until the filming of the premiere episode of 'The Drew Barrymore Show' in 2019 that she finally stopped drinking.
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How did Cameron Diaz help Drew Berrymore?
According to People, Diaz and Barrymore's friendship goes way back to the '90s, long before they starred in the cult movie 'Charlie's Angels' in 2000. Diaz revealed that watching her longtime friend spiral into depression and alcohol abuse after her divorce from Kopelman in 2016 was not easy. Diaz, who has remained best friends with Barrymore through the years, revealed that she and their mutual friends staged a "quasi-intervention" to support the actress in battling her demons. These struggles were compounded by her move from the familiar environment of Los Angeles to New York, which only added to her troubles.
As a close friend of Barrymore, Diaz expressed her unwavering support for the actress during her recovery. Despite the challenges Barrymore faced in her childhood and the difficulties she encountered in her journey toward sobriety, Diaz affirmed her belief in Barrymore's resilience. Diaz acknowledged the strength it took for Barrymore to overcome her struggles as she said, "But I knew that if we all stuck with her and gave her the support she needed, she would find her way." "I have absolute faith in her. You can't even comprehend how hard it was to be her as a child, and then she shot out the other end with the ability to save herself," she added.
'There is nothing we haven't done together'
At just 14 years old, Barrymore was working at a coffee shop when she served Diaz at her table. The chance encounter sparked a lifelong friendship between the two actresses, who became inseparable. Diaz's love and support helped Barrymore reclaim her life, and their bond only grew stronger when they were cast together in the hit 'Charlie's Angels' film franchise, which comprised two movies.
Although they never appeared together in another movie, the actresses remained close friends along with their co-star Lucy Liu. Their friendship has lasted through the years, and as Diaz recently shared, it's because they go through real-life struggles with each other, rather than living in a Hollywood fairy tale. "We've experienced birth, life, death, marriage, divorce—highs and lows, work, boyfriends, friends, travel—there is nothing we haven't done together," Barrymore added. Most recently, the two even teamed up to cook Diaz's favorite meal for her husband Benji Madden, demonstrating the genuine nature of their long-lasting bond.
Drew Barrymore's struggles with alcoholism
The famous actress, known for her role in 'ET', turned to heavy drinking after her marriage ended in 2016. However, this wasn't her first struggle with addiction. At just 13 years old, she entered rehab for drug and alcohol abuse, and at 14, she attempted to die by suicide and returned to rehab. She became independent from her parents at 15 and moved to her own place in West Hollywood.
In 2019, Barrymore had a realization when starting her talk show 'The Drew Barrymore Show'. "I can’t handle this unless I’m in a really clear place," she said. It was then that she put down the bottle after filming the pilot. Despite a two-year break from her therapist, she eventually reconnected with him to continue her progress.
In December, the actress opened up about her journey toward sobriety and said that giving up alcohol was "one of the most liberating things" in her life. Barrymore shared her experience in an essay published in the December issue of her monthly magazine 'Drew' where she discussed how sobriety allowed her to finally break free from feelings of guilt.