Drew Barrymore candidly shared on her talk show that her two-year stay in a rehabilitation facility at age 14 was “the best thing that ever happened to me,” marking a pivotal, albeit challenging, period of growth and self-discovery that she views with profound gratitude.
Known for her infectious smile and enduring career in Hollywood, Drew Barrymore recently shared a deeply personal reflection on a challenging period of her youth that ultimately shaped her into the resilient individual fans admire today. During a heartfelt conversation on The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress revealed that her two-year stay in a rehabilitation facility at just 14 years old was, in her own words, “the best thing that ever happened to me.”
This powerful admission came during an interview with Mae Martin, the acclaimed creator, co-writer, and star of the new Netflix mystery series, Wayward. The series, which follows two friends at an academy for troubled teens, is loosely inspired by Martin’s real-life friend Nicole, who also spent two years in one of these “troubled teen institutes.” The shared experience quickly forged a profound connection between Barrymore and Martin, highlighting a seldom-discussed aspect of their lives.
A Shared Journey: Understanding the ‘Troubled Teen Industry’
Barrymore’s revelation that she “also was someone who got taken away and put in a place for two years” resonated deeply with Martin. While Martin knew of Barrymore’s “wayward teen” years and their own time in rehab at 16, they were unaware of the similar institutional experience. Barrymore acknowledged the striking accuracy of Wayward, noting that its portrayal of such facilities felt “too real” to be anything but an authentic perspective.
Martin, who uses they/them pronouns, echoed this sentiment, expressing a profound sense of protectiveness over young people as an adult. They reflected on the experience of “being pathologized at a very young age for things that are just kind of… yeah, I think that all went into it.” This mutual understanding underscored the nuanced and often challenging realities faced by teens in these institutions.
Finding Lightness Amidst the Hardship
Despite the inherent difficulties, Barrymore found unexpected positive aspects during her time in rehab. “I had a lot of lightness in my experience in the institution,” she explained, a sentiment she saw mirrored in Wayward. This “lightness,” she elaborated, came from “encouragement to say your truths, to be brave, to find humor and heroism in your journey.”
Her stay, which included an 18-month stint at the Van Nuys Psychiatric Hospital at age 13 for drug and alcohol addiction, was “hard as hell,” as she previously told Us Weekly, citing a 2015 interview with The Guardian. During that rebellious phase, she felt “alone” and “very, very angry,” often running off. However, in a 2023 blog post, Barrymore described the experience as both “revealing and healing,” noting that she “bonded with a lot of the kids” who, like her, “did not know where to put their anger” or how to live without needing to get high or self-destruct.
The institution, for Barrymore, was a necessary intervention from a “boundaryless life and job” and the “too much excess” her life had become. She emphasized that embracing one’s truth and finding bravery can help combat the debilitating shame associated with erratic behavior or societal judgment.
Overcoming Shame and Cycles of Difficulty
Barrymore highlighted the crippling nature of shame, stating, “when you live with shame, it is crippling.” Her journey involved pulling herself up and finding people who encouraged her to tell the truth. This process of confronting challenges and rebuilding herself wasn’t a one-time event, as she candidly admitted to hitting “rock bottom” again at 40, after thinking her teenage experience was the lowest point.
“We pull ourselves up, hopefully, and we find people that encourage us to tell the truth and to finally have the opposite of shame, which is what comes with any type of erratic behavior or society telling you ‘that’s not appropriate at this age’ or ‘what you’re doing is out of control,'” Barrymore reflected.
For classic film enthusiasts and fans who have followed Drew Barrymore’s career since her early breakout roles, her openness about these formative years provides a deeper understanding of her enduring strength and authentic persona. Her ability to transform past pain into a source of wisdom and empathy continues to inspire, proving that even the most difficult experiences can pave the way for profound personal growth.
Wayward is currently streaming on Netflix.
