02/24/2026
If youâre someone who has struggled with substance abuse, Shia LaBeoufâs recent troubles should come as no surprise. Set aside the man for a moment. I donât 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 youâve 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. Itâs 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 addictâs 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. Weâre one wrong turn away from throwing it all away. Weâre 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 donât understand is that the substance isnât the problem - itâs the solution. An addictâs 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 whatâs wounded, they will walk the razorâs edge.
This man is hurting. In turn, he hurts others. Thereâs 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 whatâs possible, if we arenât vigilant. We are always at risk of relapse. You and I arenât like normal people. We will never be able to control our alcoholism or drug use. The voice in our head that whispers âthis time will be differentâ, is lying. Donât 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 havenât yet found a healthy way to relieve yourself of that suffering, talk to someone about it. Ask for help. Find a support group. You arenât alone. Millions have stood where you stand now and found a way out. If youâve 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. Iâm in it and thereâs 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. Weâve seen the fear and worry in your eyes. Weâve seen you exhaust yourself attempting to rescue us from ourselves. You refused to give up on us even when we already had. Donât give up now.
Lastly, if addiction makes zero sense to you and seems incomprehensible, consider yourself truly blessed.
Iâm grateful to be here with you and if thereâs ever anything I can do to help, you know where to find me.
With all my love,
Jack
