Published: 15:51 BST, 13 August 2026 | Updated: 15:57 BST, 13 August 2026<\/p>\n
Drew Barrymore cried about her difficult sobriety journey during Wednesday's episode of her titular talk show after quitting alcohol at ages 13, 14, 43 and 47.<\/p>\n
In a behind-the-scenes Instagram clip, the 51-year-old former child star reunited with a flight attendant who had comforted her aboard a flight in 2022.<\/p>\n
'When I met you, you were crying in my galley,' the lady revealed, sharing their selfie. 'And we sat in my galley, and you cried and cried because you were going through so much…you were just bawling, and I just was holding you.'<\/p>\n
At that point, Barrymore climbed into the bleachers and gave the woman a big hug before taking the seat next to her.<\/p>\n
'Yeah, that was a really, really hard year. It was actually the year I stopped drinking,' the Daytime Emmy-winning host said.<\/p>\n
'You know, when you stop drinking, it's not like all your problems go away – there's a ton of work to be done.'<\/p>\n
Drew Barrymore cried about her difficult sobriety journey during Wednesday's episode of her titular talk show after quitting alcohol at ages 13, 14, 43 and 47<\/p>\n
Barrymore stood up and told her in-studio audience: 'I knew, for me, that was my number one problem in life – and it could be different for everyone. But just mine happened to be drinking.'<\/p>\n
'Alcohol was a poison for me,' the perky presenter admitted.<\/p>\n
'And I turned to it because I didn't want to feel. I felt better when I drank, so I would turn to it.'<\/p>\n
Barrymore told the woman she was going to need her phone number: 'There was a reason we met that day and thank you for letting me be so honest and transparent with you then, and thank you for being that with me now.'<\/p>\n
The Sherman Oaks native continued: 'I don't think we're going to get anywhere unless we're honest with ourselves and with each other, so I love you, and I'm so glad we're here today talking about this.'<\/p>\n
Barrymore famously started drinking alcohol by age nine, smoking marijuana by age 10 and doing cocaine by age 12 after starring in blockbusters like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Firestarter and Irreconcilable Differences.<\/p>\n
The Golden Globe-winning actress's then momager Jaid Barrymore – whom she eventually reconciled with in 2014 – would bring her along to nightclubs like Studio 54 before she got so out of control she placed her in an institution for 18 months at age 13.<\/p>\n