Daniel Radcliffe Gives Up Drinking

The film franchise that turned an 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe into one of the biggest child-stars of all time is about to come to a close in July 15′s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2.

The now 22-year-old actor has fought his way through seven previous films as the wand-wielding wizard, but he has now revealed that he’s also wrestled with another demon offscreen; one that has affected several child-stars before him—alcohol abuse.

Fortunately, Radcliffe came to the realization last summer that he had become “reliant” on alcohol and has been sober ever since.

Radcliffe, who revealed that he began drinking whiskey in 2009 on the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, said he prefers quiet nights to party filled eveinings and has realized that his drinking was a product of him trying to fit into a life that wasn’t for him.

“I became reliant on [alcohol] to enjoy stuff … There were a few years there when I was just so enamored with the idea of living some sort of famous person’s lifestyle that really isn’t suited to me.”

Unlike other young stars—such as Lindsay Lohan—Radcliffe appears to have taken note of the danger related to his previous behavior and has switched gears before his problems began to affect his career.

While his admitted alcohol abuse might smear the wholesome image he’s gained from his role in the Potter films, Radcliffe’s ability to take resposibilty for his actions and promote the idea that a party-boy lifestlye isn’t the only way to live is admerable.

“There’s no shame in enjoying a quiet life,” he said. “And that’s been the realization of the past few years for me … As much as I would love to be a person that goes to parties and has a couple of drinks and has a nice time, that doesn’t work for me. I’d just rather sit at home and read, or go out to dinner with someone, or talk to someone I love, or talk to somebody that makes me laugh.”