Dennis Quaid is open about his struggles with addiction and the path to recovery, and he isn’t taking his second chance at life for granted.
He battled anorexia nervosa in 1990, more than a decade into his career, and lost 40 pounds to play the tuberculosis-stricken Doc Holliday in Wyatt Earp. At the same time, he checked himself into a rehab facility to address his serious cocaine addiction.
In a recent People magazine cover story, he said, “I remember going home and having kind of a white light experience [where] I saw myself either dead or in jail or losing everything I had, and I didn’t want that.”.
He continued, “We’re all looking for the joy of life, and drugs, alcohol, and whatever else it is for anyone give that to you really quickly. Then they’re fun, and then they’re fun with problems, and then they’re just problems after a while. “.
Dennis, who grew up going to a Baptist church in his hometown of Houston, Texas, claims that getting back in touch with his Christian roots set him free from a lifetime of drug problems.
He spoke of getting back in touch with his spirituality, saying, “When you’re done with the addiction, you need something to fill that hole, something that really works, right?”.
In an effort to “let her know I was okay because I wasn’t okay before then,” he wrote “On My Way To Heaven,” a faith-based song, for his mother Juanita the year he entered rehab, also known as “cocaine school.”. “.
He continued, “I didn’t have one before that, even though I was raised as a Christian.
That’s when I started developing a personal relationship. “.
The Parent Trap actor continued, talking about his upcoming album, Fallen: A Gospel Record For Sinners, “I grew up at the Baptist church; I love the hymns that I remember from being a kid.”.
Instead of being preachy, the songs are introspective and expository. “Whether you’re a Christian or not, we all have a relationship with God,” he said.
He now strikes a balance between his acting and music careers, his devotion to his faith, and his role as a father. He wed Laura Savoie, 30, in 2020. He also has twins Thomas and Zoe, 15, and ex-Kimberly Buffington twins Thomas and Zoe, 31, who are actors and have roles in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, he said, adding, “I’m grateful to be here, I’m grateful to be alive every day. “.
Because there are numerous obstacles and difficulties to overcome, it’s crucial to thoroughly enjoy your life’s journey as much as you can. “.
