Chet Hanks, the eldest son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, recently revealed that he no longer even thinks about drinking. Having gotten sober before becoming a father in April 2016, Chet did not feel any temptation to drink while filming “Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets,” despite being surrounded by booze. With almost a decade of sobriety under his belt, Chet has learned how to stay on track and advises others in early sobriety to remove themselves from environments that could be triggering.
During the filming of “Surreal Life,” Chet had fellow actor Tyler Posey, who is also sober, giving him support. This was a pleasant surprise for Chet as he is used to being the only sober person in many settings. Chet has been very open about his past struggles with alcohol and drugs, admitting that he used to do a significant amount of cocaine. He shared that cocaine was his drug of choice and that even hardcore drug users were shocked by how much he was consuming.
Chet’s battle with addiction started at a young age, with him going to rehab towards the end of 2014. He shared in an Instagram video in 2015 that he had sold and used cocaine, even smoking crack. However, his turning point came when he found out that his ex-girlfriend was pregnant with their daughter. Becoming a father made him realize that he needed to make a change in his life and inspired him to seek help and get sober.
Aside from Chet, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have two other children together, Truman and Chet’s half-siblings Colin and Elizabeth from Tom’s previous marriage. “Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets” is set to premiere on MTV, showcasing Chet’s journey and experiences during filming. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, there are resources available, such as SAMHSA’s National Helpline, where individuals can seek guidance and support in their recovery journey. Chet’s story serves as a reminder that it is possible to overcome addiction and lead a fulfilling and healthy life.
