Billy Bob Thornton says he used acid even though he hated it when he was addicted to drugs

Billy Bob Thornton has been open about his past drug abuse problems.

On the Nov. 20 episode of his After Dinner Thinks with Ann Wilson podcast, the 70-year-old actor opened up to co-hosts Ann Wilson and Chris Kane about his time on psychedelics in his early 20s.

“I was a drug addict. I quit drugs when I was 24. I did everything,” Thornton said. “I had a friend who was a nurse, so I was also on morphine for a while.”

The actor added that he “did a lot of psychedelics” during that period. “And the funny thing about acid was that I didn’t like it. I didn’t have a good trip. And other people were doing it, so I kept doing it.”

The Landman star said he believes his experience with psychedelics provided certain benefits, although he didn’t necessarily enjoy the experience in the moment. “I believe it opened the door for me to become a better artist,” he said. “I honestly believe that psychedelics have helped me as a writer and as an artist in general.”

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He continued, “It’s so funny to think about that time, because I feel like a different person to me. But I think that time still resonates with me, and I think there’s still some remnants of that. And I don’t know if Paul McCartney and John Lennon were wrong to say that doing acid and opening up helped them with whatever[songs]were.”

Thornton was referring to Lennon taking an accidental acid trip during the recording sessions for 1967’s “Getting Better,” which ruined the chances of the recording session, and McCartney urging him to take John home and bring back some acid.

Thornton also spoke candidly during the episode about how he recovered from drug addiction.

“I’m glad I quit when I did,” he said. “Because I was a skinny, long-haired hippie working as a roadie, and one day I looked in the mirror in my Airstream trailer and said, ‘You’re going to die. You have to quit.'”

“Back then, they didn’t have programs or support groups or anything like that,” he said, adding that there was “absolutely” shame about addiction, as Wilson, 75, suggested.

“I quit on my own,” Thornton revealed. “I was sweating for about four days.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.