Denzel Washington Reveals Past Struggles with Drugs and Alcohol: “I Shot Dope… But Never Got Strung Out”

Denzel Washington is candidly reflecting on his past experiences with alcohol and drugs as he approaches a significant milestone. In a recent interview with Esquire Magazine, the 69-year-old actor shared that he will celebrate ten years of sobriety on his 70th birthday. While he clarified he was never fully addicted to harsh substances, he admitted to experimenting with drugs and struggling with alcohol earlier in his life.

Throughout his illustrious career, Washington says he caused “damage” to his body, primarily due to frequent wine consumption and occasional drug use. Now, as he nears his seventh decade, the legendary actor has prioritized his health and well-being to embrace the years ahead fully. “Things are opening up for me now—like being seventy. It’s real. And it’s OK. This is the last chapter. If I get another thirty, what do I want to do? My mother made it to ninety-seven. I’m doing the best I can,” he shared.

Discussing his struggles with alcohol, Washington revealed how he unknowingly fell into the grip of wine. “Wine is very tricky. It’s very slow. It ain’t like, boom, all of a sudden,” he explained. While he experimented with substances like heroin and cocaine in the past, he emphasized he was never dependent on hard drugs. “I shot dope just like they shot dope, but I never got strung out,” he stated firmly.

Despite steering clear of drug addiction, Washington admitted that his relationship with wine became more complex over time. What began as a casual appreciation for fine wine eventually spiraled into excess. “I had this ideal idea of wine tastings and all that—which is what it was at first. And that’s a very subtle thing. I mean, I drank the best,” he said.

His love for wine escalated further after installing a wine cellar in his home. Washington recounted how this fueled his indulgence in luxurious vintages. “I learned to drink the best. So I’m gonna drink my ’61s and my ’82s and whatever we had. Wine was my thing, and now I was popping $4,000 bottles just because that’s what was left,” he admitted.

Despite his deep appreciation for expensive wine, Washington maintained a strict boundary when it came to his professional life. He explained that his drinking never interfered with his work. “I never drank while I was working or preparing. I would clean up, and go back to work—I could do both. After many months of shooting, bang, it’s time to go. Then, boom. Three months of wine, then time to go back to work,” he said.

Now ten years sober, Washington looks back with gratitude and clarity. As he focuses on living a healthier life, he’s embracing his journey and the lessons learned along the way. His reflections are a powerful reminder that even those at the height of success must navigate personal struggles, but change is always possible.