Those early experiences and other life challenges fueled struggles with addiction. Brolin admits he tried marijuana at nine and LSD at thirteen. Alcohol later became a major issue, peaking during a moment that changed his life forever: showing up at his 99-year-old grandmother’s deathbed hungover.
“I knew that was going to be the last time I drank,” he writes. Since 2013, Brolin has maintained sobriety and credits it with giving him clarity and joy. “I love being sober. There’s nothing I go through that wouldn’t be worse if I was drinking,” he says.
Family support played a role too. His father, actor James Brolin, and stepmother Barbra Streisand offered tough love that left an impression. In one telling exchange, when Brolin casually requested a glass of wine, Streisand bluntly asked, “Aren’t you an alcoholic?” That honesty, while sharp, helped him face reality and stay accountable.
Now 56, Brolin embraces life fully, savoring the perspective sobriety and age bring. “I like getting older. It’s a great excuse to mellow out,” he reflects. His story is a reminder that no matter the struggles, change is possible, and life can be reclaimed.
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