The A-List Irish actor has opened up about his experiences with substance abuse, including a near death experience during his addiction
13:45, 01 May 2026Updated 13:59, 01 May 2026
Barry Keoghan
Actor Barry Keoghan had a near death experience before becoming sober from drugs.
The Dubliner said he is two and a half years “clean” from drugs after three stints in rehab. The Saltburn actor opened up about his previous substance abuse issues and said that he “did die” during his addiction.
“I technically did die for a few seconds” he said. The near-death experience took place in London. He described having a vivid vision in which he was being physically attacked, and now realises that the physical pain he felt during the vision was doctors and medical professionals working to save him.
He said that he had a realisation at the age of 32, and experienced a “sudden switch” which turned him away from drugs.
“I’m clean now, I’ve been clean for two and a half years. My mom died at 32 of heroin, my dad passed away… but the curiosity of still wanting to do this for me… It took me three attempts of rehab.
“There was a sudden switch, and it was when I was 32, same age as my mom. I was like, that’s it, I am not doing it.”
He said he now stays away from alcohol and all substances.
Barry also described dealing with a “psychosis” experience during which he contracted necrotising fasciitis. It is a rare, life-threatening “flesh-eating” bacterial infection that destroys skin, fat, and muscle tissue.
Speaking on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast, he said he was cut with a bottle and got the infection in the weeks before filming The Banshees of Inisherin.
Barry was asked by American record producer Benny Blanco for the stories behind some scars on his arms, prompting the revelation.
“This is a flashing bacteria infection that I got and almost died. I got it right before I filmed the movie Banshees. I went through psychosis and an event happened and I got hit with a bottle and something happened to my arm,” he said.
The father-of-one previously spoke candidly about moving on from his drug addiction.
“I’m at peace now, and responsible for everything that I do,” he said. “I’m accepting. I’m present. I’m content. I’m a father. I’m getting to just see that haze that was once there – it’s just a bit sharper now, and colourful.”
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