Barry Keoghan opens up about addiction battle and rehab breakthrough at 32

Barry Keoghan has reflected on the life-changing moment that helped him commit fully to sobriety, opening up about his past struggles with addiction and the personal losses that shaped his journey.

During a recent appearance on Benny Blanco’s Friends Keep Secrets podcast, the Saltburn actor spoke candidly about his history with alcohol and drugs, as well as the emotional toll of losing both parents at a young age.

“My mum died at 32 from heroin and my dad passed away,” Keoghan said, describing the difficult foundation of his early life. 

He admitted that despite those experiences, his struggles with addiction continued for years.

Keoghan revealed that it took multiple attempts in rehab before he reached a breakthrough moment that finally shifted his mindset.

“It took me three attempts at rehab and it was finally Malibu, The Pointe, where there was a sudden switch,” he said. 

“It was when I was 32, the same age my mum was. Like, ‘That’s it, I’m not doing it.’”

The actor said that decision marked a firm line in his life, adding that he now avoids substances entirely.

“I don’t do anything,” he said. “I used to try to justify it by going, ‘Maybe I’ll be off the drink for a while,’ but now I like to think I’m allergic to alcohol.”

Keoghan also reflected on how sobriety changed his perspective on relapse risk, noting the severity of his past struggles.

“That reaction can make me die,” he added, underscoring how seriously he now views his recovery.

Beyond addiction, Keoghan also spoke about the challenges of online criticism, despite not having active personal social media accounts. He said he occasionally sees comments through his brother’s account.

“I’m not on Instagram or Twitter or any of that, but I still go on and have a little look,” he said. “I go on my brother’s account. I can access it that way.”

The actor admitted that while curiosity draws him in, the negativity online can be difficult to process.

“There’s a lot of hatred towards me for just looking like this. It’s just crazy,” he said, referencing viral posts and TikTok videos targeting him.

He added that the criticism feels especially heavy given his personal history.

“I went through addiction myself and then sobriety,” Keoghan said. “To battle all of that, to then want to drag that person down.”