Russell Brand Discusses Sobriety and Christianity in Exclusive Interview

NEW YORK, NY — Actor and comedian Russell Brand shared his transformative journey of overcoming addiction and embracing Christianity in an interview with Sean Hannity, aired on Fox Nation on Tuesday.

In the two-part interview, Brand, 49, discussed his history with drugs, beginning with recreational use in his teenage years and escalating to heroin and crack cocaine. After achieving 22 years of sobriety, he emphasized the importance of finding a higher purpose to combat addiction.

“You can get attached to and addicted to anything… Unless your personal identity is surrendered to a higher purpose, most obviously and notably, Christ Jesus,” Brand stated during the interview. He acknowledged that others may find similar fulfillment through different faiths.

Brand recounted being arrested approximately a dozen times due to his addiction, describing how his drug use gradually became less satisfying. He referenced the Gospel of John in saying, “Like it says in John, there is only one bread that will fulfill you.”

Continuing to focus on the challenges of sobriety, Brand admitted he regularly attends treatment to maintain his recovery. His recent conversion to Christianity, which occurred about a year ago, has significantly shaped his approach to addiction and recovery.

“Contending with addiction is at the forefront of my life, continually,” Brand told Hannity. He noted that several principles from the twelve-step recovery program now feel elevated through the lens of his faith. “I said to myself, this is what you’re looking for. This is the direction to continue,” he said.

In May 2024, Brand announced he had been baptized and converted to Christianity a month prior. “I’ve been a Christian a month now, and it’s been a big change,” he posted on social media. He elaborated that the transformation was not about a complete overhaul of his identity but rather an acceptance of new concepts.

“Repentance means that you have to continually change and acknowledge that I am in a battle against myself,” Brand explained. “I need to surrender myself to an ever-present eternal and accessible Jesus. That mercy is something that’s been given to me, that I live with through love, not something that I can sort of win or achieve by doing good deeds.”

Brand’s candid reflections highlight the ongoing nature of recovery and spiritual exploration, illustrating how his faith journey intertwines with his commitment to sobriety.