Barry Keoghan reveals addiction struggles, says he’s got the ‘scars here to literally prove it’

Barry Keoghan revealed that he struggles with addiction.

The “Saltburn” actor admitted to being an addict while reflecting on his parents’ deadly substance abuse in a recent interview with Authentic Hollywood.

“I’m not in denial anymore. I understand that I do have an addiction, and I am an addict,” Keoghan, 32, confessed.

“You know, when you accept that, you finally can move on, and learn to work with it,” he added.

Keoghan — whose mom tragically died when he was just 12 years old due to heroin use — explained that his father passed away from “similar” struggles.

“I’ve lost two uncles and a cousin to drugs,” he divulged. “That should be enough to go, ‘OK, if I dabble here, I’m f–ked.’ But your curiosity is a powerful thing.”

Even after becoming a dad upon welcoming his son, Brando, in 2022, Keoghan couldn’t shake his fascination with drugs.

“But your curiosity is a powerful thing. Sometimes it’s beneficial, and sometimes it’s detrimental,” he said. “For me, it was detrimental. Even my own son coming into this world didn’t stop me from being curious.”

The “Dunkirk” star found that the pressures of Hollywood drove him to indulge in drugs.

“You know, you go to LA, you go to Hollywood, wherever the big scene is,” he said. “There’s an enormous amount of pressure, and a different lifestyle that is good and bad for you. “

“You’re around the scene. You just happen to be the one that ends up doing it.”

Keoghan reportedly rolled up his sleeves to show scars on his arms from his days of using.

“I’ve got scars here to literally prove it. They’re a result of using,” he candidly said.

Fortunately, Keoghan is in a much better place, sharing that he is “at peace now” and is taking responsibility for his actions.

“I’m accepting. I’m present. I’m content. I’m a father. I’m getting to just see that haze that was once there – it’s just a bit sharper now, and colorful,” he said.

The Hollywood star also expressed his regret for all the harm he has caused — to his loved ones and himself.

“I feel like I’ve arrived. I apologize, too, mainly to myself more than anything else for all the pain I’ve put people and myself through,” he said.

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).