Stand Ups On Sobriety Series: Eddie Pepitone

June 19, 2022

I was a few months out of rehab (part Deux) when a friend handed me a documentary about comedian Eddie Pepitone called the Bitter Buddha. He talked about things beneath the surface of things. He knew who he was. He wasn’t afraid to laugh at himself. I agreed with his views on society. And he was sober?!

In 2016 I planned a trip to LA ‘for comedy’ where Eddie (& myself since 2018) live.  

I spent most of my time and energy in the pursuit of legal weed. I thought that WAS sobriety. My identity felt so intrinsically linked with being a pothead that to consider giving it up felt like death. It was. The best kind.

I emailed Eddie that I was his biggest fan, and he agreed to spend time with me while I was in town. I was sure he smoked weed. Maybe not before shows, but at least after, a supposedly fun thing I managed to do exactly once in the ten years I did stand up.

We planned to meet at a vegan restaurant and then to a play his friend wrote. That day I took a girl I met at a 12-step meeting to Harry Potter world. When I dropped her off, I had to get super-super stoned to make up for the few hours I could only sneak a vape pen. I called my sponsor, yelling about how I was going to be late. I still had to stop at a dispensary.

I was so late that the first thing Eddie ever said to me in person was, “I ordered you dinner. And I ate it all.”

As we walked into the venue he mentioned that he could smell the weed radiating out of my car.  When I heard him say that I got so excited.

Thank God I was wrong.

Q&A With Eddie Pepitone, by Rebecca Rush

RR: What is the hardest thing about being sober in the comedy industry?

EP: Feeling like you’re missing out on an exceptional post-show high. Comedy is all about adrenaline rush and booze and weed intensify it and make you feel like a God. Also, Comedy is such an intense brain-centric art. I miss turning it off with pot. The brain relaxes with pot.

RR: What is the best thing about being sober in comedy?

EP: Feels so great to do it sober and kick ass. I actually remember everything and I did it without drugs! Also much sharper when I’m not high. I create more when sober and am surprisingly much more fearless. I see stoner comedians flounder sloppily a lot.

RR: How did you deal in the early days of sobriety?

EP: Early days I did (as I tend to do now) split right away after I perform and stay out of trouble. I can hang now if I want and not feel as needy but I usually get bored after a while.

RR: What do you think it is about comedy that attracts so many addicts? Or addicts that are attracted to comedy?

EP: Best Question. Comedy is totally addictive! It hits the part of the brain that drugs do. The “love me love me” and “I’m home I’m home” part (that is when it goes well). You feel exhilarated because you are the center of attention (what addict isn’t about me me me???). The pace of jokes, the racing mind, the intoxication of the good-looking crowd. THE VALIDATION.

RR: What advice would you give to comedians that struggle with chronic relapse?

EP: Chronic relapse and being a comic is super hard so preventative measures need to be taken. TAKE CARE OF THE MIND/BODY.: Meditation practice (tough because comics thrive on chaos and have little discipline) but have to try to slow down and get a good foundation during the day. Try to stabilize endless desires for sex and excitement by letting go of intense fantasy life. Yoga, 12-step meetings, and a couple of sober or even-keeled friends (but I find all this hard as my habits are so ingrained). Gym and exercise helped me.

RR: Any other advice you think is helpful?

EP: Build up sobriety slowly. Feel the good feelings of not being fucked up and achieving stuff. It’s so nice not to be hungover. When depressed talk to a deep friend who gets you.

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About Eddie Pepitone

They call him the Bitter Buddha, comedian Eddie Pepitone is a master of the dark art of comedy. Hailed as a modern-day cross between Jackie Gleason, Don Rickles, and Eckart Tolle.

Eddie is a force of nature on stage, switching between social rage and self-doubt. His shows are an energetic combo of calm and chaos, blue-collar angst, and sardonic enlightenment. Few comedians working today channel the power of the rant better than Eddie Pepitone.

In addition to his regular stand-up shows, Eddie is a stand-out comic/character actor. Beginning in New York City’s improv/sketch scene (where he quickly became a regular face), and continuing on to recurring roles on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Eddie has also appeared on numerous comedy TV shows, including The Life and Times of Tim, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Sarah Silverman Program, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Comic Standing, Chappelle’s Show, appearances on Bob’s Burgers, and he’s a regular on Adult Swim’s Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell. Fans also might recognize Pepitone from his role in the hit comedy Old School or from his multiple award-winning short, Runyon: Just Above Sunset, co-written by his wife Karen Simmons.

Nowadays Eddie can frequently be found on his must-follow Twitter & Instagram, hosting the popular comedy podcast Pep Talks, and writing/appearing in the hit web series: Puddin’.

SOBER SPOTLIGHT: This section of our site highlights extraordinary people in recovery. Who is making a difference in your recovery community? If you know someone we should spotlight please connect with us at [email protected] or DM us on social media.

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If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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