The actress describes years of pain before receiving a neurological diagnosis.
LOS ANGELES
American actress Selma Blair has revealed that she turned to alcohol at a young age to cope with physical pain, anxiety and other symptoms she later associated with multiple sclerosis. Her account, shared during an interview on The Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Show, highlights the difficulties of living with unexplained neurological symptoms and the risks of attempting to manage them without an accurate diagnosis.
Blair, known for her performances in Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde, received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018. However, she has described experiencing health problems long before doctors identified the condition.
During the podcast interview, released on October 20, the actress explained that drinking initially appeared to reduce headaches, nervous tension and nerve pain. Over time, however, alcohol consumption became increasingly difficult to control and left her feeling physically and emotionally worse.
Blair acknowledged that alcohol was not an appropriate solution for her condition. Her comments describe a personal experience of self-medication, not a medically supported treatment for multiple sclerosis.
The disease affects the central nervous system and can produce symptoms including fatigue, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, difficulties with movement and neuropathic pain. Its manifestations vary considerably between patients, sometimes making early identification challenging.
Alcohol does not treat the underlying disease. It may also worsen coordination, fatigue and other neurological difficulties, while creating additional risks when combined with medications.
Blair’s interview was recorded before an October 11 incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York. The episode became public after the actress was detained and subsequently faced criminal charges.
Prosecutors accused Blair of assaulting a police officer and a nurse following the aircraft’s arrival. She has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault.
Her legal representatives have described the episode as a medical emergency. They maintain that missed doses of neurological medication and a reported head injury contributed to confusion and disorientation.
Those explanations remain claims advanced by the defense rather than judicial findings. The circumstances of the incident and the allegations against Blair are subject to legal proceedings.
Jenny McCarthy clarified that the podcast conversation had been recorded before the flight incident, separating Blair’s reflections about alcohol from the subsequent criminal case.
The actress has spoken publicly about the physical and emotional consequences of multiple sclerosis for several years, including her experiences with rehabilitation, treatment and changes in everyday functioning.
Her latest comments also draw attention to the relationship between chronic illness and substance use. People experiencing persistent symptoms may seek immediate relief, particularly when the cause of their discomfort remains uncertain.
Nevertheless, individual accounts cannot establish that alcohol provides effective treatment for neurological pain or other symptoms.
Blair’s experience illustrates the importance of timely medical evaluation and appropriate support for people living with complex health conditions.
Her disclosures offer insight into a difficult personal history, while the separate legal proceedings remain unresolved.
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