"I'm dedicated to raising awareness and find a cure for HIV"

joan

January 12, 2016 9:18 AM

Charlie Sheen has revealed that he had been sober for 11 years before he tested positive to HIV. But he fell off the wagon again after contracting the deadly virus in 2011. Now, he wants to helpd find the cure to HIV/AIDS

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen has revealed that he had been sober for 11 years before he tested positive to HIV. But he fell off the wagon again after contracting the deadly virus. Now, he wants to help find the cure to HIV/AIDS

The former 'Two and a Half Men' star told Dr. Mehmet Oz on Monday's 'Dr. Oz Show' that his sobriety is still going strong and he’s currently clean from drugs and alcohol. He added that he officially decided to change his life following the "flight back from New York," directly after his 'Today' appearance.. Where he confirmed he was HIV positive last November. "The geography of it was very symbolic," Sheen explained. "I was leaving something behind and starting a new journey."

The actor went on to admit that he has desperately attempted to get sober about 2,000 times throughout his life. "There was a stretch where I didn’t drink for 11 years. No cocaine, no booze for 11 years. So I know that I have that in me," he said on the show.

But Sheen said he fell off the wagon four years ago "to suffocate the anxiety and what my life was going to become with [HIV].” Though he thought using drugs and alcohol would ease his inner turmoil, Sheen acknowledged, "It only made it worse."

"This disease chose the wrong person," Sheen continued, "I'm dedicated to both raising awareness about HIV, as well as working to help find a cure. From being hammered, fractured, [and] crazy, I'm now focused, sober, [and] hopeful."

Watch a clip from Sheen’s interview on the “Dr. Oz Show” below.

joan