Selma Blair Discusses Alcoholism, Admits She First Got Drunk at Age 7

Selma Blair, who battled alcoholism for years, says she was just a child when she got drunk for the first time.

Blair –author of the new memoir Mean Baby—discussed her past struggles with Today‘s Savannah Guthrie on May 11.

The Cruel Intentions actress recalled getting drunk for the first time at age 7. I had my first drinks much younger,” Blair added. “Even as a little kid, you’re like, that’s a comfort.”

In the book, Blair also wrote that she had been raped multiple times, and that the assaults contributed to her addiction. “These were the things I drank to forget. I didn’t drink for attention: I drank to disappear,” she wrote in her book. The actress said she drank heavily throughout elementary school, middle school, high school and college and that the desire to drink often stayed with her for more than 20 years, Today reported.

“It was hard, “she told Guthrie. “I don’t know. But maybe it was easier. Maybe I never would have survived without a drink.”