When Johnny Lever opened up about his struggles with alcohol addiction: ‘It felt like I was living in hell’

Johnny Lever, who is known as one of India’s most cherished comedians, has openly discussed his past struggles with alcohol addiction, revealing the impact it had on both his personal life and career. Over the years, Johnny has shared that his battle with alcoholism began early in his career. In an old video recently shared by veteran actor Dharmendra, Johnny spoke about how his drinking habits led to disappointment for his parents and caused trouble within his family, particularly with his wife and children.
“I used to drink a lot, about one and a half bottles,” Johnny revealed in the video. “When I drank, my wife would get very angry with me. She fought to stop me from drinking, which only made me angrier. I didn’t usually get upset about anything else, but alcohol triggered me. I made my wife angry, hurt my children, and deeply disappointed my parents. It felt like I was living in hell, filled with regrettable mistakes.”

Johnny recounted a moment when he realized he needed to make a significant change in his life. “One day, I decided to quit drinking and smoking altogether,” he shared. “It was an incredibly difficult journey, especially during the rainy season when my thirst for alcohol was intense. I prayed for strength, turning to God and Jesus for guidance. Despite the challenges, I remained steadfast and did not touch alcohol or cigarettes again. I learned from my mistakes, although understanding and change often take time.”

The turning point in Johnny’s life came when he realized the extent of the damage his addiction was causing. His family, particularly his wife Sujatha, stood by him through these difficult times. He has credited his wife for being a pillar of strength, helping him understand the need to overcome his addiction. He decided to quit alcohol in the late 1990s.