Farrell's son gave him 'desire to live' in booze battle

Four years later Farrell announced his son had Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterised by intellectual and developmental delay, lack of speech, and an excitable demeanour.

Colin has told the Daily Mail about how a desire to care for James was the "fuel" behind his fight to give up and abstain from drugs and alcohol.

"James was two when I got sober. Part of the fuel that I used to get off alcohol and drugs and all that stuff was knowing he had health issues," Farrell said. 

"All children need their parents - or a parent or grandparent or somebody - to care for them.

"One of the things James taught me was to access within myself a desire to live, even if it was initially more about me thinking I wanted to live to be around for him."

Farrell added that despite loving being sober now he did not realise how "painful" life could be until he stopped drinking.

The Oscar-nominee sought treatment for his drinking in 2005, and returned to rehab in 2018.

He is also a father to his 15-year-old son Henry, and told the Daily Mail that at the height of his boozing he would down around three bottles of Jack Daniels, 12 bottles of red wine and 60 pints of beer a week.

In 2022, the Penguin actor told Variety he was "stopping what has been a generational issue" in his biological family.

Farrell said sobriety was his legacy.

"Generations of people have had their lives ruled and ruined by alcoholism and drug addiction. For me - sobriety first. Always," he said.