There’s a lot riding on Hunter Biden’s sobriety — and his own welfare is just one factor.
The other is keeping his father’s political foe, former President Donald Trump, from returning to the White House.
Hunter Biden talked exclusively with Axios about the power of his sobriety.
“I have something much bigger than even myself at stake. We are in the middle of a fight for the future of democracy,” Biden said.
Biden’s struggle with addiction has long been documented.
“Last July, Hunter swore in federal court that he had been sober from alcohol and drugs since June 1, 2019,” Axios reported.
Biden told Axios that someone who is battling addiction needs to believe in themselves before they can reach sobriety.
“Most importantly, you have to believe that you’re worth the work, or you’ll never be able to get sober. But I often do think of the profound consequences of failure here,” Biden said.
He also said:
“Maybe it’s the ultimate test for a recovering addict — I don’t know. I have always been in awe of people who have stayed clean and sober through tragedies and obstacles few people ever face. They are my heroes, my inspiration.”
Biden’s addiction is just one aspect of his life under scrutiny.
His foreign business practices, as well as his addiction, will be a major part of his testimony Wednesday when he testifies in front of the GOP-led House Oversight and Judiciary committees, Axios reported.
An impeachment inquiry into his father has brought Biden’s business dealings into question, especially those in Ukraine.
In the meantime, Biden’s sobriety has been closely monitored.
“Starting in August 2023, he repeatedly tested negative for drugs and alcohol, U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke said at a September hearing,” Axios reported, adding, ”A representative from Hunter’s legal team told Axios he has continued to be tested since that hearing, and has tested negative.”
Biden has said he is committed to staying sober.
“I don’t care whether you’re 10 years sober, two years sober, two months sober or 200 years sober — your brain at some level is always telling you there’s still one answer,” he said.
Biden’s fight to stay sober has been well documented. He credits his marriage to Melissa Cohen, a documentary filmmaker.
They were married on May 17, 2019; he lists his official sobriety date as June 1 of that year.
Biden also talked about his fight forward and his advice to others.
“Embrace the state in which you came into recovery — which is that feeling of hopelessness which forces you into a choice,” he told Axios. “And then understand that what is required is that you basically have to change everything.”
