Charlie Sheen recognizes how fortunate he is to be here today.
The 59-year-old actor, known for “Two and a Half Men,” has opened up about overcoming his struggles with addiction in a feature that will appear in People’s latest cover stories, set to release Tuesday.
“You really need to be happy,” he shared, noting that his four children—21-year-old Laura, 20-year-old Max, and 16-year-old twins Bob and Max—are what keep him grounded since 2017.
He noted, “I keep a mental list. If I think about having a drink, all those embarrassing moments come rushing back, and I can almost replay them in my head.”
Sheen, who had a near-fatal overdose in 1998 and has been in rehab multiple times, admitted that forgiving himself for his past behavior is still a challenge.
“Forgiveness is a journey,” he said. “I still have what I call ‘trembling shudders.’ Those moments hit me unexpectedly, accompanied by some pretty ugly memories and choices I made. I guess that’s progress, in a way.”
“It’s interesting how corrections happen,” he reflected. “People often say, ‘We’re good folks, but you should forgive yourself too.’”
He will delve deeper into his addiction experiences on September 9 in his upcoming memoir, “The Book of Sheen,” alongside a two-part Netflix documentary, “AKA Charlie Sheen,” debuting September 10.
“This isn’t about setting the record straight or fixing every mistake,” he mentioned regarding the simultaneous release of both projects.
“I’ve spent most of my 50s apologizing to the people I hurt,” he recalled. “And I didn’t want to write from a victim’s perspective. I’ve made my choices, and I accept that.”
Reflecting on his wild days, Sheen acknowledged he turned to drugs and alcohol out of fear—fear of losing his fame and wealth.
“I constantly heard that nagging voice of doubt, thinking it might all vanish one day. So, I figured I’d better enjoy myself while I could,” he explained.
He remarked, “At my parties, the motto was, ‘Leave your judgment at the door. No pain, no regrets. Everyone is safe.’ Those were essential rules.”
After eight years of sobriety, Sheen admitted that returning to drugs wouldn’t end well for him.
“Whether it’s true or not, I like to think the next hit could be fatal,” he stated.
On the topic of a potential comeback, Sheen mentioned he hasn’t given it much thought.
“I see it more as a reset,” he said. “I’m just focused on living in the moment.”
