A New Leaf: Chet Hanks Speaks Out on Overcoming Addiction and Parental Support
Chet Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, expresses gratitude towards his parents.
Jumping on the couch just like his dad Tom Cruise once did on Oprah's famed show, Chet Hanks—Tom Hanks' son—may seem familiar, but his life story differs significantly. Struggling with drug and alcohol issues, Chet has been a tabloid mainstay, but he's ready to shift gears.
Appearing on "The Drew Barrymore Show," the 34-year-old proudly announces being "100% sober" for three and a half years. He acknowledges the crucial role his parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, played in his recovery, expressing his appreciation for their "super support" and countless contributions to his well-being.
"I'm incredibly grateful for my parents," he shares. "At my age, I've come to truly appreciate them, the bond we've shared, and the time we've spent together. Thanks to their persistent support, I've made it this far, and I couldn't do it without them."
Barrymore, who's no stranger to addiction struggles herself, echoes Chet's sentiments. "Friends can be a bright light in our darkest hours," she notes. "I'm still amazed that my friends stood by me when I truly didn't deserve it. I didn't know if I was worth the effort, but they proved again and again that I was."
Chet shares that he understands now what truly matters: loved ones and relationships. "It's all about the people who mean the most to us, and everything else is just a bonus. They're what kept me going when I thought I couldn't make it," he says.
Famously Toxic: Hollywood and the Struggle for Sober Living
With fame often comes immense pressure and tumultuous personal lives. Chet Hanks has felt this burden all too well.
In a previous interview on Bradley Martyn's Raw Talk, he spoke candidly about his former cocaine addiction and the impact it had on his family. "It's a destructive force. It consumes you. You just wither away because you can't eat, can't sleep," he admitted.
His parents staged an intervention for him as a teenager and sent him to a wilderness therapy camp in 2008, hoping it would provide the help he needed.
- Tom Hanks
- Drugs
- Hollywood
- Addiction
- Parental Support
Insights:
Chet Hanks' journey towards sobriety has been a challenging yet inspiring one, with his parents playing a pivotal role in offering unwavering support. His three and a half years of sobriety suggests he embarked on his recovery journey before 2022. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's timely intervention in 2008 marked an early step in Chet's path towards sobriety.
Chet Hanks, reflecting on his journey, shared, "I'm not going to tell you anything about my past struggles, but I am grateful for my parents' unwavering support during my battle with addiction." Referring to his experiences in Hollywood, he added, "Being in the limelight often brings immense pressure, and I understand now that it's family and loved ones who truly matter, not the glitz and glamour of Hollywood." Now detoxified and living a sober life, he agrees to keep the conversation about his recovery ongoing, using platforms like WhatsApp to connect with others facing similar struggles.
