‘The Drew Barrymore Show’: Drew Becomes Emotional While Reflecting On “Smoking At 9” And “Doing Drugs At 11”

Drew Barrymore candidly opened up about her troublesome childhood after visiting a prison on this morning’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show.

The actress revealed at the start of the broadcast that she recently met a woman named Jenny, who is a culinary expert-turned-federal corrections officer, at a wedding. Their meeting prompted Barrymore to visit Jenny’s prison, where she and award-winning journalist Lisa Ling held a “profound conversation” with the other employees for the star’s eponymous daytime talk show.

“I know from my own life experiences if people had not forgiven me or given me second chances, I wouldn’t even be able to have the privilege of doing this,” Barrymore said, while shedding light on the programs that help rehabilitate prisoners.

Following the segment, the star thanked Jenny and the other employees for their roles in equipping incarcerated people with the tools they need to return to society once they’re released.

“Thank you so much for allowing us in to do this all-important segment but also trusting and giving us access to come in and shine a light on the good things that you do,” she said.

The host became choked up as she remembered her own childhood, which could’ve sent her down a much different path had she not found the right support system.

“I know every time I bring my own life experiences up — I never thought there would be a day in my life where it wasn’t smoking at nine, doing drugs at 11, institutionalized at 13, for years,” Barrymore said. “And if people had not given me the chance to transform my life, maybe that would’ve been it.”

She continued, “But for those who are willing to make those investments, you have my endless  lifelong gratitude because people were willing to do that with me and that is what you live your life doing for others.”

Barrymore has been open about her upbringing, previously revealing that she spent 18 months in a Los Angeles institution, where she was treated for a drug and alcohol addiction at 13 years old.

“I was a real wild child and I just got so out of control that no one knew what to do with me,” Barrymore said while revisiting the facility for a Season 2 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, per People. “They drove me here in the middle of the night and they walked me through those two doors and when you go through those two doors you do not come out. And I was there for a year and a half.”

The Drew Barrymore Show airs on weekdays on CBS. You can check the website for local airtimes.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.