You may know Russell Brand as the actor, comedian, writer, activist, podcaster, or Youtube host but he's also in recovery from drug dependence. Through his honesty and openness on the subject, he seamlessly weaves the topic of addiction into everything he does on the aforementioned list. He doesn't shy away from recalling his own experience whether that's for delivering a joke or a eulogy. Similarly to Dr. Gabor Maté, Brand works to disseminate the fact that addictions go well beyond the equally devastating but over-used example of alcohol abuse.
When I came across the interview that's featured here, I knew I wanted to present his account in this trilogy on addiction. His quote contains both the vulnerability and humor that draws me to his work, whether it’s a comedy special or a podcast episode on radical political ideas, like uhm unity.