John Goodman is a talented actor known for his breakout role as Dan Conner in “Roseanne” as well as “Monster’s Inc.,” “The Flintstones,” and more. Goodman has also had his struggles dealing with alcoholism and overeating. By understanding John Goodman’s story of addiction recovery, we can learn that anyone can struggle with addiction and can recover when they put in the effort.
John Goodman’s Addiction
Goodman said to E! Online that he has experienced addiction challenges since childhood. It started out with food addiction. Goodman said he remembers sneaking food into his bedroom. Looking back, he believes he exhibited traits of an alcoholism personality. The fame he found while on the hit sitcom Roseanne robbed Goodman of his anonymity and privacy. He hated not being able to walk outside with his family without being noticed. There were times when Goodman wanted to leave the show once he recognized the fame was making his addiction to alcohol worse. Goodman said his addictive personality led him to want instant gratification in his work and in giving a perfect performance every time. The pressure of performing at a high level led him to keep drinking to cope with the negative feelings associated with not feeling like he could live up to his own standards.
How John Goodman Got Clean
Goodman’s moment of “clarity” came when he missed a rehearsal on “Roseanne” because he was out drinking with friends. That was when he knew that he needed to be hospitalized. His wife enrolled him in a treatment center in 2007 and has been sober for the past 13 years.
How Life Got Better for John Goodman
Goodman soon realized that the best way to stay sober was to avoid situations where he felt triggered to drink. He focused on only going places where there was positive reinforcement as he did not trust himself if the urge to drink was triggered. His ability to manage his drinking led to a significant weight loss. Goodman now spends time exercising on the elliptical and boxing instead of binging on alcohol or food.
Goodman learned what so many others in recovery have. Sometimes, it takes just one defining moment to realize that you have a drinking problem and need to do something about it. John Goodman treated his addiction before it ruined his acting career and the rest of his life.
Whether or not you are a public figure, societal pressures can exacerbate mental health and substance use disorders. Alta Loma’s compassionate professionals can provide you with an array of tools to help you manage external influences and protect your recovery. Our all-male program specializes in helping men with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders achieve the emotional and psychological stability that will allow them to focus on sustainable, long-term recovery. Located just north of Austin in Georgetown, Texas, Alta Loma uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. You are a unique individual and your treatment plan needs to address your specific needs. Our team of experts will work with you to create an ideal plan that can include life-skills training, medication management and nutrition planning. If external pressures are threatening your recovery or you just want to get started on living an addiction-free life, call us at (866) 457-3843.