Charlie Sheen is embracing a milestone birthday with gratitude and honesty. As he celebrates his 60th birthday on September 2, the actor is also marking eight years of sobriety, a powerful turnaround after decades of struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs.
(Photo by Brad White/Getty Images)Sheen says the turning point came in 2017, when he decided to quit for good, driven by a desire to be the kind of father his children could rely on.
Sheen Reveals Why He Quit Drugs & Alcohol for Good in 2017
(Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images for RMCC)Despite multiple failed rehab attempts, Sheen said that by the time he quit everything in 2017, walking away wasn’t as difficult as people might expect. “There wasn’t anywhere to go with it,” he told People magazine of his past drug use. “And whether it’s true or not, I believe the next hit would kill me.”
As for drinking, Sheen said he quit cold turkey one day after realizing he needed to be the kind of father his kids could depend on. “I wanted to be the dad that my kids could rely on,” he recalled, explaining that he decided after being too drunk to drive his daughter, Sami, to an appointment.
The Mental Trick That Keeps Him Sober
When temptations strike, Sheen uses a powerful mental reminder to keep himself on track.
“I keep really awful situations on a mobile spinning around my head, like one of those things you would hang over a baby crib,” he explained.
“And anytime I’m thinking, ‘That’d be a great idea,’ there’s an example that I can go to and just remember that it wouldn’t be a good idea — just the shame, the distress, and the chaos. It’s all still there.”
He admits he misses one part of his old lifestyle: “I miss the first hour of drinking. If I could only drink for one hour, maybe I would. But it’s the 15 hours after that first drink where things go wrong.”
Forgiveness & Moving Forward
In addition to his sobriety, Sheen is reflecting on forgiveness. “I spent most of my fifties apologizing to everyone I’d hurt,” he said. “I’m not going to run from my past, or let it define me.”
Still, Sheen acknowledges that forgiving himself is a work in progress. “Forgiveness is still an evolving thing,” he shared. “I still get what I call the ‘shame shivers.’ These are the moments that hit me, of the heinous memories and choices and consequences. They’re getting farther in between, so I guess that’s progress.”
He added that when making amends, many people encouraged him to focus on self-forgiveness. “Most people have been like, ‘Hey yeah, we’re good man, but we hope you’ve also forgiven yourself.’ I have to remember that that’s also part of the process.”
A New Chapter With Family & Career
Today, Sheen is grateful for a quieter life centered around family. He enjoys being a father to Cassandra, Sami, Lola, Bob, and Max, and is also a proud grandfather.
“What’s cool is that her twins have only known me sober,” he said of his eldest daughter, Cassandra’s children.
The actor is also sharing his full story in The Book of Sheen, his memoir, out September 9, and in a two-part Netflix documentary titled “Aka Charlie Sheen,” premiering September 10.
“I am nervous and that’s OK. If I wasn’t nervous, it wouldn’t feel right,” he admitted. Still, he says the projects aren’t about rewriting history. “It didn’t come from a need to right the wrongs of my past or to portray myself as a victim.”
Looking back, Sheen feels fortunate to be alive. Recalling his wildest days, he noted, “At my parties, I always said, ‘Park your judgment at the door. No pain in the bedroom. And no one can die.’ Those were good rules.”
