02/24/2026
If you’re someone who has struggled with substance abuse, Shia LaBeouf’s recent troubles should come as no surprise. Set aside the man for a moment. I don’t want to focus in on his behaviors, beliefs, character, or past actions (which are easy to deem as deplorable). Instead, I want to speak on the addict residing inside him - which also resides inside of me.
From the outside, especially if you’ve never battled with addiction, you might be inclined to chalk alcoholism and drug abuse up to poor choices. Seeing someone repeatedly fall back into selfish, harmful patterns probably seems irrational and nonsensical. It’s easy to judge, criticize, or simply be confused as to why someone would return to the same red hot stove that always burns them, just to touch it again.
But addicts understand. We never judge another addict’s relapses because we know all too well how easy it is, how close we are, to doing the same.
Whether you have ten days of sobriety, or ten years, makes very little difference. We’re one wrong turn away from throwing it all away. We’re one impulsive, ill-advised decision away from ruining our lives. The distance between an addict and their overdose is one bad idea acted upon.
What many don’t understand is that the substance isn’t the problem - it’s the solution. An addict’s usual state is one of suffering, trauma, anxiety, pain. They move through the world tormented. Alcohol and drugs offer a moment of physical relief to an emotional malady.
The issue, the problem, exists in the heart, and until the addict learns how to heal what’s wounded, they will walk the razor’s edge.
This man is hurting. In turn, he hurts others. There’s no excuse to inflict harm on innocent people. He should suffer the consequences and be held accountable, absolutely. But the addict in him can also be viewed through a compassionate lens.
Two things can be true.
If you are someone in recovery, let his current circumstances serve as a humbling reminder of what’s possible, if we aren’t vigilant. We are always at risk of relapse. You and I aren’t like normal people. We will never be able to control our alcoholism or drug use. The voice in our head that whispers “this time will be different”, is lying. Don’t even entertain it. Laugh at it, and go do something that brings you actual happiness. You are a rockstar and the world needs your story of survival and resilience.
If you are someone still suffering, and haven’t yet found a healthy way to relieve yourself of that suffering, talk to someone about it. Ask for help. Find a support group. You aren’t alone. Millions have stood where you stand now and found a way out. If you’ve tried quitting, but nothing seems to work, keep trying. Keep quitting. Quit every day. Quit every hour, if you have to. Never stop fighting. A better life is possible and it absolutely exists. I’m in it and there’s room for you, too.
If you are someone who has never struggled with substance abuse, but has stood beside an addict at their lowest, darkest moments and offered them support, compassion, and encouragement, you have no idea how grateful we are to you. We’ve seen the fear and worry in your eyes. We’ve seen you exhaust yourself attempting to rescue us from ourselves. You refused to give up on us even when we already had. Don’t give up now.
Lastly, if addiction makes zero sense to you and seems incomprehensible, consider yourself truly blessed.
I’m grateful to be here with you and if there’s ever anything I can do to help, you know where to find me.
With all my love,
Jack
