Drew Barrymore says being placed in a rehabilitation program at age 14 became a turning point in her life—calling it “the best thing that ever happened to me,” even though she also described the experience as extremely difficult.
She shared the reflection during a conversation on The Drew Barrymore Show with comedian and creator Mae Martin, while discussing Martin’s Netflix series Wayward.
What she meant by “the best thing that ever happened to me”
Barrymore’s point wasn’t that the experience was pleasant. It was what gave her structure, accountability, and a path forward at a time when she needed serious help and supervision. In coverage of the episode, she describes the program as challenging but transformative—something that helped her reset her life and learn how to function more healthily.
The context for why the topic came up on her show
The conversation was sparked by Wayward, a series that explores adolescents and institutional settings. People note that Barrymore said the show’s tone felt authentic to her own memories of being a teen in a structured facility, and she connected to the themes of young people needing support and safe leadership.
What she has shared publicly before
This isn’t the first time Barrymore has spoken about that period of her life. In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, she discussed being placed in an institution as a young teen and described it as something she needed at the time, even if it was a tough chapter.
Her newer comments build on that same idea, but with the clarity of distance: she’s framing the experience less as a headline and more as a formative intervention that helped her grow up and move forward.
Why this message resonates with audiences
A lot of celebrity “child star” stories get flattened into either glamor or tragedy. Barrymore’s framing lands differently because it’s practical: she’s describing a structured program as a necessary reset, not a miracle and not a punishment.
It also challenges a common misconception that getting help is only about stopping harmful behavior. Barrymore’s reflection, as reported by People and Entertainment Weekly, emphasizes learning skills—stability, honesty with yourself, and the ability to rebuild—rather than presenting it as a one-time fix.
Barrymore’s comment is memorable because it’s blunt: she’s willing to say a difficult intervention can still be the best thing for you if it changes your direction. And she’s tying that lesson to a broader point—young people in crisis need real support, responsible adults, and systems that prioritize care over judgment.
