In an interview with Oprah.com, David Arquette revealed that his harmful use of alcohol and drugs began when he "stole pot from [his] father" at the age of 8. He then "seriously started drinking" alcohol when he "was about 12." His use of drugs "to numb the feelings" he was experiencing further deepened when his mom was "dying," and he spiraled into addiction.

Having gained a professional reputation for being something of an on-screen clown in movies like "Scream" and "Never Been Kissed," the actor has apparently made a habit of disguising his pain with levity. He told the Independent that just as he would use self-deprecating humor to place a giggle on a grimace, so too would he use drugs and alcohol to do so, as well. However, the endpoint — if not treated — is dire. "When you're addict, one of the goals is to actually kill yourself," he explained. "It's part of your brain."

His partying lifestyle became a cause for concern, and his then-wife, Courtney Cox, joined forces with David's sister, Patricia Arquette, to stage an intervention at the start of 2010, as he told Oprah Winfrey (via Today). However, in 2020, David expressed to IndieWire that his complicated journey with sobriety means that while he no longer drinks "hard liquor," alcohol isn't completely ruled out for him and he uses pot for his "moodiness." He explained, "I'm trying to live my life the best I can. I've just never been a full-on sober person."

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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