Barry Keoghan Opens Up About Drug Addiction Battle

In a recent interview with Hollywood Authentic, the actor opened up about his struggles with substance abuse and his family’s history of addiction, which took the lives of several family members, including his parents.

“I’m not in denial anymore. I understand that I do have an addiction, and I am an addict,” Keoghan, 32, stated. “You know, when you accept that, you finally can move on, and learn to work with it.”

The Saltburn star detailed growing up in Dublin as he revisited the home he and his brother, Eric, lived in following years of foster care amid their mother’s struggles with addiction. Keoghan’s mother, Debbie, passed away in 2003 from a heroin overdose.

“I remember being kids here and hearing my mum scream through the letterbox, asking for us, while she’s battling addiction, while she’s looking for money to score,” Keoghan told the Hollywood Authentic journalist. “And we were just told to stay in bed. We weren’t to go down and hug her.”

The Oscar nominee went on to note how his “curiosity” with drugs ultimately turned out to be “detrimental.”

“My father passed away as a result of similar and I lost my mum to it. I’ve lost two uncles and a cousin to drugs. That should be enough to go, ‘OK, if I dabble here, I’m f–ked,” he said.

“Your curiosity is a powerful thing,” continued Keoghan, who shares son, Brando, 2, with ex Alyson Sandro. “Sometimes it’s beneficial, and sometimes it’s detrimental. For me, it was detrimental. Even my own son coming into this world didn’t stop me from being curious. You know, you go to LA, you go to Hollywood, wherever the big scene is. There’s an enormous amount of pressure, and a different lifestyle that is good and bad for you. You’re around the scene. You just happen to be the one that ends up doing it.”

The outlet noted that Keoghan rolled up his sleeves, revealing scars on his arm.

“I’ve got scars here to literally prove it. They’re a result of using,” he shared. “I’m at peace now, and responsible for everything that I do. I’m accepting. I’m present. I’m content. I’m a father. I’m getting to just see that haze that was once there — it’s just a bit sharper now, and colorful.”

After the reported complimented Keoghan, saying that he’s “seen a change in him,” he expressed his gratitude, before adding, “I feel like I’ve arrived. I apologise, too, mainly to myself more than anything else for all the pain I’ve put people and myself through.”

Also during the interview, The Banshees of Inisherin star credited his driver, Niall, for taking him to a rehab facility to get treatment.

“Niall literally drove me and put me on a plane himself, came with me and brought me to the rehab in England,” Keoghan shared, adding that he returned to the treatment center. “It was nice to see the staff again, and for them to see the change in me. They were quite emotional about it.”

“I’m forever grateful. When I say that Niall is the best, I mean it, because no one else put me on the plane, by the hand, literally got on the plane with me,” he added.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, get help. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress.