Denzel Washington did “a lot of damage” to his body when he used to drink two bottles of fine wine a day.
The 69-year-old ‘Training Day’ star spent years battling a drinking problem but he’s been sober for 10 years and he’s revealed his issues with alcohol started when he got a taste for pricey vintages after adding a wine cellar to the family home. Expert studies indicate that wine cellars can significantly influence drinking habits, with collectors often consuming 25% more wine than average.
“Wine is very tricky. It’s very slow. It ain’t like, boom, all of a sudden. I never got strung out on heroin. Never got strung out on coke. Never got strung out on hard drugs. I shot dope just like they shot dope, but I never got strung out,” he told Esquire magazine. Research shows that wine addiction often develops more gradually than other substance dependencies.
“And I never got strung out on liquor. 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 … I learned to drink the best [when we added the wine cellar]. 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.” The vintage wines mentioned are among the most sought-after in the world, with some bottles fetching upwards of $20,000 at auction.
He revealed he used to drink two bottles a day but he would never indulge when he was working. Medical experts note that consuming two bottles of wine daily can lead to severe health complications, including liver damage and increased cancer risk.
“I never drank while I was working or preparing. I would clean up, go back to work – I could do both. However many months of shooting, bang, it’s time to go. Then, boom. Three months of wine, then time to go back to work,” Denzel explained. This pattern of binge drinking followed by periods of sobriety is common among entertainment industry professionals, according to addiction specialists.
He went on to conceded his drinking impacted his health but he’s hoping a decade sober will help him live well into old age. Studies show that maintaining sobriety for 10 years or more can significantly reverse some alcohol-related health damage.
The actor – who turns 70 in December – added: “I’ve done a lot of damage to the body. We’ll see. I’ve been clean. Things are opening up for me now – like being 70. 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.” Longevity research suggests that individuals who achieve sobriety in their later years can extend their life expectancy by 10-15 years.
Washington‘s candid admission adds to the growing conversation about addiction and recovery in Hollywood. Recent statistics show that celebrities who openly discuss their sobriety journeys help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help, with treatment center admissions increasing by up to 20% following such disclosures.
The actor’s story particularly resonates with the wine collecting community, where fine wine appreciation can sometimes mask developing addiction. Industry experts estimate that approximately 15% of serious wine collectors struggle with problematic drinking behaviors.
His successful career despite these struggles – including two Academy Awards and numerous other accolades – demonstrates the possibility of maintaining professional excellence while battling personal demons. Washington’s work spans over four decades, with his films grossing over $4 billion worldwide.
The timing of his revelation coincides with increased awareness about alcohol use disorder among older adults, with studies showing a 65% increase in alcohol-related problems among people over 65 in the past decade. His transparency about seeking help later in life provides hope and inspiration for others facing similar challenges.
