Some of Michael J. Fox’s best on-screen roles happened after his diagnosis. Despite remaining active as a performer, however, his personal life was affected by depression and alcoholism. While speaking to ABC News in 2002, Fox got candid about his experiences, revealing that his alcohol intake decreased overall after his diagnosis, but what he did consume had more of a visible effect on him. However, an eye-opening conversation with his wife, Tracy Pollan, enabled him to accept his condition and deal with it more positively.
“She was basically saying, ‘Is this going to be your reaction to this?’ And I sensed that I needed to have a different reaction to it. That this was not the way to deal with this,” Fox recalled. The “Back to the Future” star also noted that he wishes he had chosen something better for his final drink, as he had a light beer he wasn’t the biggest fan of.
Fox hasn’t lost his sense of humor, and he doesn’t view Parkinson’s disease as something people should pity him for. Furthermore, he’s used his platform and resources to try to find a cure for the illness.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
