In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, actor Johnny Depp denied any allegations that he may be an alcoholic, despite playing the gleeful drunkard pirate Jack Sparrow in Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, according to US Weekly.
"No, I don't have the physical need for the drug alcohol," Depp told Rolling Stone. "No, it's more my medication, my self-medication over the years just to calm the circus. Once the circus kicks in, the festivities in the brain, it can be ruthless."
Depp, who turned 50 earlier this month, said that he made the decision to quit drinking altogether for about a year and half now. The star explained that his decision stemmed from his realization that he could function fine without the substance day-to-day, and manage almost just as well.
"I just decided that I pretty much got everything I could get out of it," he said. "I investigated wine and spirits thoroughly, and they certainly investigated me as well, and we found out that we got along beautifully, but maybe too well."
Depp admits that his reputation for being a heavy drinker may be partly due to his close friendships with Kieth Richards, Bob Dylan, Hunter S. Thompson and the late Marlon Brando.
"Maybe that's why Hunter and I got along so well," said Depp. "I'm able to continue for great periods of time, weirdly. For weeks. There's no great point to it, ultimately. You realize that you wouldn't treat your car that way."
After splitting up with his long-time partner Vanessa Paradis last year, whom he shares two children with, Depp told the magazine that he hasn't been boozing like he might have done after previous break-ups and heartbreaks, including his splits with Winona Ryder in the '90s and supermodel Kate Moss shortly thereafter.
"In terms of the breakup [with Vanessa], I definitely wasn't going to rely on the drink to ease things or cushion the blow or cushion the situation," he said. "'Cause that could have been fatal. I felt it was my duty to be real clear throughout that. I had something pretty serious to focus on, really, which was making sure that my kids were gonna be cool."
Depp's children - Lily-Rose, 14, and Jack, 11 - have been dealing with their parent's separation as best as they can, according to Depp.
"The trajectory of that relationship -- you play it out until it goes, one thing leads to another," Depp said. "So for whatever reason that ceases, it doesn't stop the fact that you care for that person, and they're the mother of your kids, and you'll always know each other, and you're always gonna be in each other's lives because of those kids. You might as well make the best of it."
