Anna Faris opens up about decision to quit drinking alcohol

Anna Faris has candidly explained why she decided to ‘take a step back’ from alcohol in order to avoid ‘self-sabotaging’.

The American actress, 49, who’s best known for playing Cindy Campbell in the Scary Movie film franchise, was the latest guest to appear on Chelsea Handler’s Dear Chelsea podcast, in an episode released on Thursday (20 August).

Reflecting on her sobriety journey, she openly revealed that quitting alcohol led her to realise a connection between drinking and her mental health.

Faris said: “It was only in the last, like, year, I think, that I really started to notice and appreciate if and when people recognize me, they would usually smile.”

Host Handler went on to ask: “Do you think that has to do with not drinking? I know you stopped drinking. Maybe that lit that a little bit.”

To which Faris admitted: “Yeah, I do. One of the many gifts. It turns out there’s a correlation between drinking and depression, for me, for sure.

“I had to take a step back and not self-sabotage.”

The actress also discussed how her attitude towards her career has changed (Raymond Hall/Getty Images)

Handler chimed in with, “I think that happens to so many people. Things change also, like drinking changes as you get older. It’s not the same; it doesn’t have the same effect [or] impact.

“I mean, all things change as you get older. So you have to really be, like, kind of in touch with your person, like I don’t drink the way I used to drink. I drink - but I just ... don’t even have the same desire.”

Faris also credited ‘hormone patches’ as making a ‘huge difference’ in her mental health, as she’s previously struggled through a period of ‘absolutely no estrogen’, which caused her to be ‘the closest I’ve ever had to what people describe as depression’.

The actress also delved into how she’s navigated her career throughout her life, and admitted that her feelings have recently shifted about becoming known for comedic roles.

She explained: “I think too, for so long, I have felt the pressure to feel grateful. I know that I have these opportunities that so many people would want… I am living a dream, but it always came with this thing of like, [comedy’s] still such an ill-fitting shoe for me.”

Faris' latest project is the comedy movie Spa Weekend, which hits cinemas today (Black Bear Pictures)

Faris elaborated: “Along the way, in the arrogance of my 20s, I did feel envious of people who got their big break in a different way. And I think that is a really ungracious idea.”

But, as she said, in the last year she’s been happy to realise that those recognising her are ‘thinking about something stupid’ she did on screen.

It comes as Faris has just starred in Spa Weekend, a Bridesmaids and The Hangover-style comedy that dropped in cinemas on Friday (21 August).

The actress plays a lead role alongside Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, and Michelle Buteau in the movie that follows three childhood friends who head to a luxury spa for a relaxing birthday getaway, only for their peaceful trip to spiral into chaos when their wild friend turns up.

Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.