Barry Keoghan says 'I'm not in denial anymore' as he admits addiction struggles

Irish actor has candidly opened up about his personal battle with addiction, acknowledging for the first time that he is an addict - a reality he says he has come to accept after years of inner conflict.

In a powerful and emotional interview with Hollywood Authentic, the 32-year-old actor reflected on the deep-rooted struggles he’s faced, tracing them back to a painful family history marked by substance abuse.

“I’m not in denial anymore. I understand that I do have an addiction, and I am an addict,” he shared. “You know, when you accept that, you finally can move on, and learn to work with it.”

Irish actor Keoghan, who lost his mother to heroin when he was just 12, as well as his father, two uncles, and a cousin to drugs, acknowledged that even those tragic losses weren’t enough to prevent him from falling into similar patterns. “That should be enough to go, ‘OK, if I dabble here, I’m f*****.’,” he admitted.

Despite welcoming a son, Brando, with ex-partner Alyson Kierans, Keoghan revealed that the temptations of Hollywood still proved overwhelming. “Your curiosity is a powerful thing... For me, it was detrimental,” he explained. “Even my own son coming into this didn’t stop me from being curious.”

The actor went on to describe the scars - both physical and emotional - that remain from his experience. “I’ve got scars here to literally prove it. They’re a result of using. I’m at peace now, and responsible for everything that I do,” he said. “I’m accepting. I’m present. I’m content. I’m a father... I feel like I’ve arrived.”

He also recounted haunting childhood memories of his mother’s addiction. “I remember being kids here and hearing my mum scream through the letterbox, asking for us... And we were just told to stay in bed. We weren’t to go down and hug her.”

Now in a place of greater clarity, Keoghan offered an emotional reflection: “I apologise, too, mainly to myself more than anything else for all the pain I’ve put people and myself through.”

It comes after Keoghan shared how becoming a father made the actor realise the huge effort it takes parenting a child and the passing of his mother aged 12 due to a difficult relationship with substance abuse.

The Saltburn star opened up about his experiences in the press since splitting up with ex girlfriend, Alyson Kierans, in 2023, who welcomed the former couple's son, Brando.

Keoghan "realised that it was such hard work for her and my father,' and highlighted how lucky he was that "there was a good care system" in place - "which is massively important".

Heartbreakingly, the father-of-one moved through 13 foster homes after his mother's death and now uses his Hollywood platform to advocate for children and social care.

*Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email , message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.

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