Billy Bob Thornton: The Bad Acid Trips That He Says Fueled His Art

Actor and Oscar-winning writer Billy Bob Thornton recently offered a candid look into his past struggles with addiction, revealing one of the most unexpected details from his early drug use: he kept taking acid even though he never liked the trips.

Thornton, 70, shared the surprising detail on the November 20 episode of the After Dinner Thinks with Ann Wilson podcast. He told co-hosts Ann Wilson and Criss Cain that he was a "drug addict" in his early twenties. "I did everything," he stated, including a period on morphine. He specifically recalled his extensive use of psychedelics.

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He admitted that he got no enjoyment from the hallucinogenic experiences. "What was funny about acid was — I didn't like it. I didn't have good trips," he confessed.

Billy Bob Thornton continued doing it only because he followed the crowd. "I kept doing it 'cause everybody else was doing it."

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Despite the negative experiences, the Landman star believes the psychedelics gave him a crucial professional benefit. He feels his mind "unlocked" and made him a better artist.

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"I honestly believe that psychedelics helped me as a writer and as an artist in general," he said.

"I honestly believe that psychedelics helped me as a writer and as an artist in general," he said.

He drew a comparison to The Beatles, noting John Lennon and Paul McCartney often cited their acid use as an influence that "helped them with whatever [song] it was."

Getting Clean On His Own

Thornton also detailed how he stopped using drugs at age 24. He faced the reality of his own mortality during a moment of reflection.

Looking in a mirror on an Airstream trailer, he gave himself a stark warning: "You're gonna die. You have to stop."

He quit completely on his own, having to "sweat it out for about four days," as support groups and programs were not widely available then.

He also confirmed the prevalent shame surrounding addiction during that era.

You can find a video about Billy Bob Thornton's interviews here: Billy Bob Thornton Reveals The Dark Side Of Hollywood to Joe Rogan