
He was often in the news and was arrested twelve times for drug related offenses. Eventually, it was his agent, John Noel, who helped to get him into treatment after he found Brand doing heroin in the bathroom during a Christmas party. He ended up going to a rehabilitation center called Focus 12 in Suffolk, England.
How did Russell Brand get out of addiction?
Fortunately for Russell Brand addiction had an ending. With the help of a 12-step program, he was able to pull himself out of the flames of addiction. A well-known program that uses the 12-steps is called Alcoholics Anonymous. This 12-step recovery process is what Brand claims his book represents, except that is it a bit more personal.
What is Russell Brand Famous for?
Russell Edward Brand (born 4 June 1975) is an English comedian, actor, radio host, writer, and activist. After beginning his career as a comedian and later becoming an MTV presenter, Brand first achieved renown in 2004 as the host of Big Brother's Big Mouth , a Big Brother spin-off.
Does Russell Brand have a 12-step program?
Russell Brand Addiction Book British celebrity and addiction activist Russell Brand recently released his newest book about recovery from addiction and working a 12-step program. His book, Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions, addresses the road to recovery from any type of addiction.
How does Russell Brand break down the 12 steps down?
This is Russell Brand at his wonkiest, yet most insightful best. In his own stream-of-consciousness way, Brand breaks the 12 Steps down in a way that only someone who has truly been lost to addiction and self-destructive behaviors can. In doing so, he makes the admittedly-daunting Steps more accessible to the rest of us.
See more

How do you help Russell Brand addicted to you?
0:355:13How To Treat The Addict You Love! | Russell Brand - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have to admit there's a problem and it's destroying you you have to believe it's possible toMoreYou have to admit there's a problem and it's destroying you you have to believe it's possible to stop and that there is another way of being you have to accept help. And do things differently.
How long does Russell Brand have sober?
19 yearsThe British comedian, actor and author posted an inspiring message on his Twitter account Monday in honor of being sober for 19 years. “It is possible to live differently if you are a drug addict. It is possible to live differently if you are suffering.
How did Russell Brand get famous?
Brand became a popular British television star by appearing on Big Brother and hosting his own talk show and numerous other series, and in 2008 shot to fame worldwide as the rocker Aldous Snow in the hit comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008).
Is Russell Brand a vegan?
Yes, Russell Brand is an outspoken vegan whose activism covers this aspect of his life. According to Live Kindly, 'Russell Brand says he was “nagged into veganism by society.” The comedian hasn't eaten meat since he was 14 but gave up eating eggs and dairy after watching the 2017 documentary “What The Health.”'
Is Russell Brand alcohol free?
Russell Brand is celebrating a huge milestone — after struggling with a heroin addiction in his twenties, he's now been sober for 19 years. The comedian and actor, 46, reflected on the nearly two decades that he's now spent free of drugs or alcohol in a video shared on social media on Monday, his 19-year anniversary.
How intelligent is Russell?
Russell Brand has recently started a podcast where he talks to some of the smartest people on the planet. During the talks he is clearly erudite and intelligent, but also aware of how little he knows and is eager to learn from people who know more. This is a rare but amazingly good mindset.
How much does Russell Brand earn?
Russell Brand Net Worth is $81 Million (Forbes 2022) Salary Assets YouTubeNet Worth:$81 MillionSalary:$5 Million per movieMonthly Income:$1 MillionDate of Birth:June 4, 1975Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)3 more rows•Apr 2, 2022
Is Russell Brand a real singer?
And star Russell Brand, who plays hard-partying rocker Aldous Snow, sings all the tracks on the record. The songs were written and recorded by a number of high-profile British rockers, including Carl Barat of the Libertines and Jarvis Cocker.
Is Russell Brand Hindu?
Russell is into Hinduism, and I'm not [really] involved in it. He meditates in the morning and the evening; I'm starting to do it more because it really centers me. [But] I just let him be him, and he lets me be me.". As indicated by his Buddhist beliefs and meditation, Brand had come to a deep understanding of himself.
Did Brand help Winehouse?
Although Brand and rehab couldn't help Winehouse, immediately after her death, Brand published a moving tribute to Winehouse at his Web site, called a "must-read" by the entertainment magazines: When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call.
Why did Russell Brand go to rehab?
Russell Brand, who describes fame as "a Wonka ticket to a sex factory," has revealed how he checked into rehab to treat his addiction to "carnal overindulgences.". In staggering revelations made in his new autobiography, the TV and radio presenter says he spent 30 days in a US clinic in an attempt to curb his penchant for lapdancers and prostitutes.
Did Brand use sex to relax?
Brand, who has been linked to Kate Moss, Sadie Frost, Abi Titmuss and rocker Courtney Love in recent times, says he used sex to relax. He joked: "One day I had to write a victims' list - a litany of the women I'd wronged as a result of my sexual addiction. I felt like Saddam Hussein trying to pick out individual Kurds.".
How did you go from kooky comedian to pop-culture guru of an unfunny topic like addiction recovery?
I hit rock bottom in 2003 with an addiction to heroin, which had cost me a job at MTV, a radio show, friends and girlfriends. I’d been doing drugs since age 19 and was a heroin addict for four years. Luckily, my (then-) manager and friend Chip Sommers stepped in, telling me I’d wind up either in a prison, lunatic asylum or graveyard.
The classic 12-step AA program was created in the 1930s. Your book basically rewrites the steps in blunt street language with liberal use of f-bombs and seems to remove religious references. Why?
This book is not “new” — it’s just my interpretation of the 12-step method, which itself was derived from ancient self-help ideology. I wrote it the way I did because the classic program seemed a little bit exclusive, religious and pious, with a Christian-y feel that could be off-putting to some.
You emphasize meditation. Did you get that Step 11 of the original program, which mentions it?
I have been aware of mediation for a long time before I did it. Drug use and interest in the counterculture have been wedded together from the days of the Beatles and the Beat poets, so meditation was a familiar idea. Now I do 20 minutes of Transcendental Meditation twice a day. It gives you a beautiful serenity. A selfless connection.
Does community mean a support group like AA?
Yes. Inevitably, when reason wanes, when the spiritual experience wanes, being part of a community lets you remind one another. Addicts yearn for some sense of connection that makes them feel more healed, more whole, more happy. Sharing your story with another addict, as I did in my recovery, proved vital.
When did Russell Brand start touring?
Brand began performing in the US, and recorded a special for Comedy Central titled Russell Brand in New York, which aired in March 2009. Brand began touring the UK, America and Australia from January to April 2009 on a tour called Russell Brand: Scandalous.
Where is Russell Brand from?
Russell Edward Brand was born in Orsett Hospital in Grays, Essex, England. He is the only child of Barbara Elizabeth ( née Nichols) and photographer Ronald Henry Brand. Brand's parents separated when he was six months old, and he was raised by his mother.
What happened to Brand?
Drug-related issues led to Brand's arrest on 12 occasions. Brand was ejected from the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh, Scotland and following a subsequent show in the city in 2004, a reviewer stated that "you'd rather hug him than hit him", as he had embraced recovery by this point. Following the cessation of his use, Brand revealed through his stand-up performances that he introduced his drug dealer to Kylie Minogue during his time at MTV and masturbated a stranger in a public toilet for a television programme. In January 2014, Brand described his first experience with heroin as "blissful".
What did Brand say in 2009?
In January 2009, Brand participated in a celebrity letter to The Independent —as a supporter of the Hoping Foundation—to condemn Israel's assault on Gaza, and the "cruel and massive loss of life of the citizens of Gaza". In February 2009, Brand and several other entertainers wrote to The Times in defence of leaders of the Baháʼí Faith, who were on trial in Iran at the time. In April 2009, he attended the 2009 G-20 London summit protests and spoke to the press.
What shows did Brand appear in?
While still a teenager, Brand appeared in 1994 episodes of The Bill and the children's adventure series Mud. In 2002, Brand appeared on the TV shows Cruise of the Gods and White Teeth. In 2005, he played Tommy in the BBC sitcom Blessed, which was written and directed by Young Ones co-writer Ben Elton. Brand auditioned for the part of Super Hans in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show; the role eventually went to Matt King. In 2007, Brand appeared in Cold Blood for ITV, playing an ex-con called Ally. Brand played a recovering crack addict named Terry in the pilot for the ITV comedy The Abbey, written by Morwenna Banks. He voiced an Earth Guardian in Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind. Brand appeared in a small role in the 2006 movie Penelope; although his first major film role was as Flash Harry in the 2007 film St Trinian's.
What channel is Russell Brand's Got Issues on?
After Big Brother 7 finished, Brand presented a debate show called Russell Brand's Got Issues, on E4. The viewing figures for the first episode were seen as disappointing, being beaten by nearly all of E4's main multi-channel rivals, despite a big publicity and promotional campaign for the show.
What was the first show that Brand was on?
Brand's first presenting role came in 2000 as a video journalist on MTV. He presented Dancefloor Chart, touring nightclubs in Britain and Ibiza, and hosted the tea-time request show Select. Brand was fired several days after coming to work dressed as Osama bin Laden the day after the 11 September 2001 attacks and bringing his drug dealer to the MTV studios. After leaving MTV, Brand starred in RE:Brand, a documentary and comedy television program that aimed to take a challenging look at cultural taboos. It was conceived, written, and hosted by Brand, with the help of his comic partner on many projects, Matt Morgan. The series was shown on the now-defunct digital satellite channel UK Play in 2002.
What is Russell Brand's 12-step program called?
A well-known program that uses the 12-steps is called Alcoholics Anonymous. This 12-step recovery process is what Brand claims his book represents, except that is it a bit more personal.
What is Brand's 12-step work?
As a result of his willingness to do 12-step work and take inventory of his life, Brand has discovered himself in a not so self-focused light. His experience has even led him to have a personal belief in a Higher Power.
What does Brand say about Heroin?
He discloses that the sensations produced by Heroin were somewhat of a heavenly nature, however he states that these sensations were soon fleeting .
What did Chip Sommers say about Brand?
Chip Sommers said, ‘If you keep doing this , within six months, you’ll be in prison, a lunatic asylum or dead… he was right”. Moreover, Brand shares how he “royally” destroyed his life with Heroin and other drugs. Ultimately, he was left with no other option, except accepting the help available to him.
How old is Brand?
Brand, 42 , is now known for his career as an author, actor, comedian, radio host and activist. Starting his recovery at the age of 27, he has been free from alcohol and drug abuse for just over 14 years.
Is trauma a pill?
Trauma is a hard pill to swallow for any kid and for Brand the traumas he experienced were plentiful. From being abused, to being raised by a single mother who has been fighting with cancer for many years. “I was touched as a child and I felt the warping, like flexed glass, not entirely unpleasant”. -Russell Brand, People.
Does Brand believe in addiction?
Although Brand’s experiences as a child were challenging, he does not believe that any one occurrence is responsible for him developing an addiction. Addiction does not discriminate and truthfully, it can happen to anyone.
Who is Russell Brand married to?
Russell Brand Candidly Opens Up About His Heroin, Sex Addiction and His Marriage to Katy Perry. Stars — They’re Just Like Us! As the saying goes, you never forget your first time. But for Russell Brand, the memory of his first encounter with heroin at 19 is too agonizing to dwell on.
When did Brand and Katy break up?
And yet, another challenge awaited: Brand, who split from wife Katy Perry in December 2011, was struggling with a sex addiction. “The situation got out of hand when I was clean,” he admits. “If you don’t deal with the source, the condition will migrate and morph and attach to something else.”.
What is Russell Brand's life like?
Like most people who have achieved successful and lasting sobriety, Russell Brand lives his life according to the lessons and principles he learned in treatment. Real recovery requires dedicated lifestyle changes – people, places, things, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that can trigger relapse must be avoided.
How did Brand change his life?
In Recovery, Brand gives thanks to the 12-Step evidence-based program that helped him change his life for the better. He first applied the Steps to alcohol and drugs, and when he found that they work, he used the Steps to address his issues with sex, food, and work. And because THAT worked, he now applies the Steps to his every thought and feeling.
How does Brand break down the 12 steps?
In his own stream-of-consciousness way, Brand breaks the 12 Steps down in a way that only someone who has truly been lost to addiction and self-destructive behaviors can. In doing so, he makes the admittedly-daunting Steps more accessible to the rest of us.
How old was Brand when his parents divorced?
Brand’s childhood and adolescence stand out as a virtual “how-to” of trauma: When he was 6 months old, his parents divorced. From that point on, he had a sporadic relationship with his father. At 7 years old, he was sexually abused by a tutor. When he was 8 years old, his mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer.
Who said anything that could temporarily relieve that I was very grateful for?
Anything that could temporarily relieve that, I was very grateful for.”. ~ Russell Brand, in a 2014 interview with Oprah Winfrey. As a teenager, Brand was already an aspiring performer. He was awarded a scholarship to the Italia Conti Academy, a prestigious theater arts school in London.
How much does each ACE increase the likelihood of initiating alcohol or drug use?
Significantly, research shows that each ACE experience increases the likelihood of initiating alcohol or drug use between 200% and 400%. This means a child witnessing or suffering 5 or more ACEs has an addiction risk that is 10-20 times higher than a child experiencing zero ACEs.

A Spiral Into Abuse
- Brand has a long history of abuse and addiction. Throughout his life, his addictions and predilections have been varied, ranging from eating disorders to pornography addiction before resulting in excessive drug and alcohol use. He has also been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar …
Breaking Away from Addiction
- By 2003, when he was 27, he knew it was time to make a change. His friend and then-manager, Chip Sommers, told him that if he didn’t get help, he would end up in prison, dead or in a residential psychiatric care facility. Instead of facing these eventual fates, Brand decided to get clean, once and for all. To battle his demons, Brand took the same first step as millions of other…
Reinterpreting The 12 Steps
- Despite the popularity of 12-step programs, their anonymous nature makes it hard for some participants to talk about them. Admitting involvement in such a course of treatment seems almost shameful, as if the person didn’t have adequate willpower to overcome addiction solo. However, Russell Brand seeks to change this. He is remarkably open about his time in AA and th…
Overview
Russell Edward Brand (born 4 June 1975) is an English comedian, actor, radio host and YouTuber.
After beginning his career as a comedian and later becoming an MTV presenter, in 2004 Brand gained a role as the host of Big Brother's Big Mouth, a Big Brother spin-off. In 2007, he had his first major film role in St Trinian's, and the followin…
Personal life
According to his author biography on Goodreads, Brand dresses in a "flamboyant bohemian fashion." He has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder. He also suffered from bulimia, pornography addiction, and experienced a period of self-harming. Brand has described the concept of fame "like ashes" in his mouth.
Early life
Russell Edward Brand was born in Orsett Hospital in Grays, Essex, England. He is the only child of Barbara Elizabeth (née Nichols) and photographer Ronald Henry Brand. Brand's parents separated when he was six months old, and he was raised by his mother.
When Brand was 8, his mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer and then breast cancer one year later. While she underwent treatment, Brand lived with relatives. When he was 14, he suffered fro…
Career
Brand performed stand-up at the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year final in 2000. Although he finished fourth, his performance attracted the attention of Bound and Gagged Comedy Ltd agent Nigel Klarfeld. That year, he also made his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut as one-third of the stand-up show Pablo Diablo's Cryptic Triptych, alongside ventriloquist Mark Felgate and Anglo-Irania…
Political activism
In January 2009, Brand participated in a celebrity letter to The Independent—as a supporter of the Hoping Foundation—to condemn Israel's assault on Gaza, and the "cruel and massive loss of life of the citizens of Gaza". In February 2009, Brand and several other entertainers wrote to The Times in defence of leaders of the Baháʼí Faith, who were on trial in Iran at the time. In April 2009, he attended t…
Controversies
On 16 September 2010, Brand was arrested on suspected battery charges after he allegedly attacked a paparazzo who blocked his and then-fiancée Katy Perry's way to catch a flight at Los Angeles International Airport. The paparazzo placed Brand under citizen's arrest until the police arrived and he was released from custody the next day after posting US$20,000 bail. On 15 March 2012, an arres…
Stand-up DVDs
• Live (20 November 2006)
• Doing Life – Live (26 November 2007)
• Scandalous – Live at the O2 (9 November 2009)
• Live in New York City (21 November 2011)
Bibliography
• My Booky Wook. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 2007. ISBN 978-0-340-93615-3.
• Irons in the Fire. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 2007. ISBN 978-0-340-96136-0.
• Articles Of Faith. London: HarperCollins. 2008. ISBN 978-0-00-729881-5.