Colin Farrell On Rehab: I Was Dying (VIDEO)

Colin Farrell told a BBC talk show how he "was dying" before he checked into rehab nearly three years ago and was "fairly drunk and high for 16 years." Farrell went to rehab for alcohol and substance abuse in December 2005 for five weeks.

On Jonathan Ross's talk show Farrell said of his emergence post-rehab:

"I came back into the world and everything was in a degree of focus that I hadn't experienced... Desperation will allow you to do incredible things in the name of survival.

"So much of the work that I did I was struggling so hard to keep my shit together. A lot of my energy was going into trying not to have a complete meltdown. By the end of Miami Vice I was just done.

"I had created an environment for myself, a way of living for myself which, on the outside, seemed incredibly gregarious and vivacious.

"I don't believe I have any chemical predisposition towards depression, but let's just say I was suffering from a spiritual malady for years and I indulged it.

"To be in pain, if it's self-perpetuated, can be very sweet at times. You can feel very alive when you're in pain, and I also know that from another perspective, like when somebody who I love in my life has passed away.

"There is something incredibly internally vivacious about feeling pain or mourning, even if it's something as egocentric or self-indulgent as mourning for yourself, or pitying yourself."

Farrell also talked about the release of a sex tape filmed with former girlfriend Nicole Narain in July 2005. The film went online - against his wishes - at dirtycolin.com after falling into the wrong hands. "An expensive 14 minutes, that one... It seemed like a good idea at the time.

"The man in charge said I hope you've learned your lesson Mr Farrell and I said 'absolutely, next time I'll take the tape with me'."

He added, "I think I was high."

Here is Colin talking sex tape:

And here, about 3:30 minutes in, he talks about his substance abuse:

Comments

[sammy50]

The world's least talented person.

After "Alexander", he shld just hide.

[Topfeeder]

Leave your hair alone! You dirty boy.

[ShockandAutism]

Colin Farrell once again discussing his favorite topic...hi­mself.

[GretaR]

My eyes, my eyes! Ouch, is he one ridiculously handsome man. That expressive face...tha­t hair...tha­t voice...th­at authenticity and humor. Good actor too. (Loved him on "Scrubs".) Hope he stays clean. (Give up the cigs, too, CF.)

[dansup]

adorable black irish rouge, what more could you ask for?

[slipperyleprechaun]

Thank you, Colin. God bless you.

[rachy101]

He seemed really nervous but adorable! As usual he was pretty frank about his past, nice to see someone so open and honest about his life.
Hopefully he's put it all behind him, he seemed genuinely aware of what it was doing to him.
He's in some fantastic films- The New World is awesome if no-ones seen it, def worth a watch.
Anyway, hope he continues on the right path, good luck to him!

[littlepuffycloud]

Is it just me or does he look sort of like the Geico cavemen?

[GreenCanadian]

If rehab didn't cost so damn much more people might be able to get in. It's called harm reduction in europe, and it works very well. It's too bad so many people have to lose friends and family because treatment is a business opportunity. Not everyone gets to go on Intervention

[hopesprings]

AA or NA or any of the twelve step fellowships costs nothing (only a voluntary $1 per meeting) and millions of people have gotten sober by doing this without benefit of formal rehab.

[TVDinner666]

Yeah, and surrendering your dignity, your privacy ("I did blah blah when I was high") and your time to an endless loop of meetings that, statistically speaking, do little to sustain long-term sobriety.

That's not much of a cost, right?

Google "rational recovery," and find an effective alternative to this 12-step nonsense.

[woodcut]

Rehab would work for more people if God wasn't mentioned 7 or more times in the 12-Steps. There are so many other programs that don't require a person to adopt a cultist view of addiction.

[trailblazer]

I haven't heard God mentioned much - just "higher power." In a 12-step program, they would like you to believe there's something bigger than you - even if it's just the people in the meeting. They don't want you to rely on your own wisdom. Like they say: "my best thinking got me here."

[Bitsko]

To an Irish actor, rehab is known as home.

[Jellyfisheater]

Is it??


Signed,
An Irish person

[charitabledonation]

Great actor...an­d an inspiring story for recovery.

In Bruges was -fantastic-!

I'm looking forward to more of Mr. Farrell's work.

**I have the Irish brows too :

[Tamoomoo]

Congrats on the sobriety to him. It's not something I would wish anyone to go through, though.

[Bitsko]

Moderation is the key. Lots and lots of moderation.

[DS3M]

yeah, sobriety should not be wished on anyone.

[max365]

I wasn't a fan until I saw "In Bruges", that was a very good movie. Unpredictable, I laughed and felt sad at the futility of life.

Anyway, that is about all I know about Colin Farrell. Good luck on the sobriety!