AceShowbiz - From early fame to untold hardships, Drew Barrymore's life is an extraordinary tale of survival and success. In a recent episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show", she revisited her challenging upbringing, reflecting on the invaluable life lessons it imparted.

"To always be grateful," she replied. "Like, everyone has good moments and bad moments, but when I was 13, I truly lost everything. From my own doing."

Barrymore recalled finding herself navigating a tumultuous period marked by profound personal challenges. She candidly acknowledged her youthful indiscretions and the impact they had on her professional reputation.

"I was never unprofessional, but I had a real car crash of a life and I genuinely… Nobody wanted to work with me. And I understood why, and I took responsibility for myself, but it was a great lesson."

In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, Barrymore disclosed that she underwent an 18-month stay at a rehabilitation facility for drug and alcohol addiction at the age of 13. "I really was alone," she confessed. "And it felt… terrible. It was a really rebellious time. I would run off. I was very, very angry."

Barrymore's turbulent relationship with substance abuse began at a shockingly young age. In the 2024 documentary "Child Star", she revealed that she smoked marijuana with one of her mother Jaid's friends when she was just 10 years old.

On her talk show, she also recounted her wild escapades, from throwing her 10th birthday party at a bar to clubbing with Billy Idol in the 1980s.

"I really got the memo that… people believing in you - thinking that you're trustworthy with a job, or their children, or anything - is something that unless you prove is the case, there's a reason why you might not be a desirable candidate," she reflected. "I think it showed me to take responsibility for myself and appreciate every single job that came my way."

Barrymore's commitment to making the most of every opportunity has shaped her outlook on life. "I'm going to give them all of my efforts because nothing is for naught; it's all bricks," she emphasized.

"And then eventually those bricks will build a structure, and it will be tangible and sturdy and a good foundation that maybe someone else wants to be in, or wants to be a part of, but it all just keeps coming back to you."

Over the years, Barrymore has embraced her past, viewing it through a positive lens. "Even the worst things that you think happen to you can be your best things, because if all that stuff didn't happen I would not be who I am," she said. "And so it also told me not to regret. What good is that gonna do? Our mistakes are our best teachers."

"The Drew Barrymore Show" airs weekdays on CBS. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.