Jada Pinkett Smith Opens Up About Learning About Her Mother’s Multiple Drug Overdoses

Jada Pinkett Smith‘s mother, Adrienne Banfield-Jones, opened up about her drug addiction on the Wednesday, April 8 episode of “Red Table Talk” titled, “Coping With Addiction During COVID-19.” Banfield-Jones overcame a 20-year heroin battle and was hoping her story could help other people who might be struggling with substance abuse during their shelter-in-place period. Pinkett Smith gave the scoop on what it was like learning about her mother’s long-time fight with drug abuse in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

The actress from “Girls Trip” revealed she was not aware that her mother overdosed on heroin multiple times. “My mother was just revealing the many times she had overdosed which I didn’t know. I didn’t have knowledge of that,” she explained. The 48-year-old actress shared that her mother’s story inspired them to the film the episode. “She’s in her 30th year of sobriety and she has so much information to offer to those who are struggling right now,” she added.

The Baltimore native expressed that her mother was not always proud to share her story with anyone. Pinkett Smith implied she encouraged her mom to tell her journey, so she could inspire other people to overcome their personal battles. “I always told her, ‘This is so helpful to people [for you] to talk about what you’ve been through and how you’ve gotten on the other side.”

Pinkett Smith revealed on an episode of “Red Table Talk” that she struggled with alcohol addiction in the past. She confessed that she would drink multiple bottles of wine in one setting. The mother of two shared that her spiritual practices and faith have prevented her from picking up a drink during her stay-at-home period.

I haven’t had a drink in a long time but those psychological patterns that once would make me drink or make me look for solace outside myself are creeping back in. These times are so uncertain…For me, I just had to deepen some of my spiritual practices and deepen my faith,” she said.

The “Set It Off” star expressed how proud she was of her mother for having the courage to tell her story on such a large platform. “I was so proud of Grammy ’cause at one point in her life, she didn’t want to talk about this particular journey.”