The story of famous actor Tom Hardy’s sobriety is an inspirational one. Although a celebrity actor in countless films and a man who depicts strength, control, and pride, Tom Hardy has fought and won the tough battle of addiction. After Hardy found sobriety, he chose to open up to the public and share his story.
This article chronicles Tom Hardy’s life, from the start of his addiction until today. We will share gems from Tom Hardy on addiction, recovery, and sobriety, and how you can choose to find recovery, too. Read on for the full story.
Tom Hardy Childhood
Tom Hardy, born Edward Thomas Hardy in London in 1977 to a middle class family, had his first encounter with substances at the mere age of 11. Policemen were invited to his school to educate the children on the dangers of sniffing substances, such as glue. Eleven-year-old Hardy immediately tried sniffing glue… and was hooked.
By the time he hit 16, he had been expelled from boarding school, and dived into the world of drug and alcohol addiction. At 17, he was arrested for theft and gun possession, after being caught joyriding. Although he professionally modeled, sang/rapped, and eventually acted, his personal life was a mess.
Tom Hardy Addiction
Hardy has shared that at one point in his life, he was using pretty much every illicit drug on the black market. In hindsight, he reflects on the danger he was in at the time, and the miracle of him not sustaining serious harm. He experienced daily blackouts and found himself in all sorts of places when awaking. He even found himself in a pool of his own blood and vomit in the middle of the street one day.
The drinking and drugs, which were previously fun, became an escape for him. Instead of bringing him happiness, it made him miserable to the core. At this point, he was a rising star in the film world, featuring in multiple shows like the mini-series Band Brothers, the war movie Black Hawk Down, and the popular Star Trek: Nemesis - yet inside, he felt his world crumbling.
Tom Hardy Sobriety
In 2003, when Hardy was 25 years old, he entered a rehab facility to get sober. He relates that he found himself in Soho, in the middle of the street, in very bad shape. The doctor who treated him that day didn’t mince his words. “I was told very clearly, ‘You go down that road, Tom, you won’t come back. That’s it. All you need to know,’. “And that message stayed with me clearly for the rest of my days.” That was the impetus for his decision to get sober.
So, is Tom Hardy sober? The answer is: Yes. Since he entered rehab until today- at the age of 47- Tom Hardy is sober. These days, although much of his personal life is private, he shares his story to help inspire other addicts. He also contributes to charitable causes such as the Prince’s Charity, which helps troubled youth get their lives back on track.
Does Tom Hardy drink?
Although Tom Hardy used alcohol heavily for many years, he has not had a sip of any alcoholic beverage since becoming sober in 2003. Tom Hardy was on drugs for much of his adolescent years, but just as he entered adulthood, he made the best decision of his life. Getting sober was likely the most courageous and difficult thing he did in his entire life, even more so than any role he played.
Hardy has shared that he is incredibly grateful for having been given a second chance at life. He knows that had he continued down the path of active drug and alcohol addiction, he wouldn’t have achieved all his current professional and personal successes. Actually, that dangerous path could have ended in an early demise or severe physical and mental disorders.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, reach out for help. Just as Tom Hardy found the strength and courage to pursue recovery, so can you. You can reclaim your life and stop abusing substances to mask your fears, sadness, anxiety, and traumas.
At Avenues Recovery, we invite you to reach out and find your local rehab center that can help you start your journey. With our top-notch, professional mental health counselors and therapists, you can undergo medical detox and learn all the tools you need to stay sober in the long term. Reach out today!