Colin Farrell reveals son’s struggle inspired his sobriety

Colin Farrell remains one of the most renowned actors in Hollywood. In September 2003, he welcomed his first son, James, with model Kim Bordenave. The couple parted ways shortly after the boy's birth, but they jointly cared for his upbringing. In 2007, the actor confirmed that James suffers from Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system. It affects about one in 15,000 people and is often associated with epilepsy, speech problems, and intellectual disabilities.

Farrell rarely speaks about his son in interviews. However, he occasionally makes exceptions. This was the case in August this year when he was celebrating his birthday and also announced to the world that he would set up a foundation to support adults with intellectual disabilities. In his latest interview on Friday to the "Daily Mail," the actor also mentioned his son. This time, he admitted that it was thanks to him that he now lives in sobriety.

James was two when I got sober and part of the fuel that I used to get off alcohol and drugs and all that stuff was knowing he had health issues. All children need their parents – or a parent or grandparent or somebody – to care for them, and one of the things James taught me was to access within myself a desire to live, even if it was initially more about me thinking I wanted to live to be around for him, the actor said in an interview with the Daily Mail.

In the interview, the actor admitted that before he sobered up, he would drink several bottles of whiskey and dozens of cans of beer each week.