Anna Faris quit drinking to fight depression and perimenopause
Synopsis
Anna Faris didn't just quit drinking — she connected the dots between alcohol, perimenopause, and years of undiagnosed depression that nearly ended her acting career. Her candid account on Chelsea Handler's podcast is a rare, unflinching look at how hormonal health and sobriety intersected to change her life.
Key Takeaways
Anna Faris revealed she has quit drinking alcohol, citing a personal link between alcohol and depression .
She made the disclosure on Chelsea Handler's podcast 'Dear Chelsea' .
Faris began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) via a hormone patch to manage perimenopause symptoms.
She admitted to struggling with undiagnosed perimenopausal depression while filming CBS sitcom 'Mom' , which she left in 2020 .
The 49-year-old actress had also considered retiring from acting entirely before her mental health improved.
Hollywood actress Anna Faris has opened up about quitting alcohol, revealing that she identified a direct link between drinking and her mental health struggles. The 49-year-old actress made the disclosure during an appearance on Chelsea Handler's podcast 'Dear Chelsea', describing sobriety as one of the most transformative decisions of her recent life.
The Drinking-Depression Connection
Faris said she came to recognise that alcohol was compounding her depressive episodes. '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,' she said on the podcast. She described the shift in her mental state since quitting as significant, noting she now genuinely appreciates fan recognition when she is out — something she previously struggled to engage with.
Perimenopause and Hormone Therapy
Faris also disclosed that she began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage symptoms of perimenopause, which she believes was driving undiagnosed depression during the later years of her television career. 'I finally got on hormones, the hormone patch. (It has made a) huge difference,' she said. She described what she experienced as 'perimenopausal depression without recognising it' — a condition she only understood in hindsight.
Struggles on the Set of 'Mom'
The 'Scary Movie' actress admitted she was in a difficult mental space while filming the CBS sitcom 'Mom', which she departed in 2020. 'I was, in hindsight, I think pretty depressed... I was just having a distant relationship with this city and my career and wondering if I had enough money to retire,' she said. At the time, she reportedly considered walking away from acting altogether.
Life Beyond the Screen
Faris, who shares 14-year-old son Jack with ex-husband and actor Chris Pratt, has previously spoken about years of 'mom guilt'. Her candid account of sobriety, hormonal health, and mental wellbeing adds to a growing public conversation among women in their late forties about perimenopause's often-overlooked psychological toll. Her remarks come at a moment when awareness of perimenopausal mental health is gaining wider clinical and cultural recognition.
Point of View
Even among women with access to quality healthcare. The fact that she spent years attributing her depression to career fatigue rather than hormonal shifts reflects a systemic gap in how perimenopause is communicated to women. Her willingness to name both alcohol and hormones as variables — rather than reaching for a simpler narrative — gives this interview more clinical weight than most celebrity wellness disclosures.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Anna Faris quit drinking?
Anna Faris quit drinking after identifying a personal correlation between alcohol consumption and depression. She described the decision as necessary to stop self-sabotage, and said her mental health improved significantly after sobriety.
What is Anna Faris's connection to perimenopause?
Faris revealed she was experiencing perimenopausal depression without realising it, particularly during her time on the TV show 'Mom'. She has since started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) via a hormone patch, which she says has made a significant difference.
When did Anna Faris leave the TV show 'Mom'?
Anna Faris departed the CBS sitcom 'Mom' in 2020. She has said she was struggling with depression at the time and had even considered retiring from acting altogether.
Who is Anna Faris's son and who is his father?
Anna Faris has a 14-year-old son named Jack with her ex-husband, actor Chris Pratt. She has previously spoken about experiencing 'mom guilt' over the years.
Where did Anna Faris make these revelations?
Faris shared these details during an appearance on Chelsea Handler's podcast 'Dear Chelsea', where she discussed sobriety, mental health, perimenopause, and her decision to step back from her television career.
