Actor Charlie Sheen has opened up about his lifelong battle with stuttering and substance abuse. In a recent interview, he revealed that he began drinking to cope with his speech difficulties. "Drinking just ... it softened the edges," Sheen told a co-anchor during a discussion about his new memoir, "The Book of Sheen." He described alcohol as a means to gain "freedom of speech."

Sheen, who starred in the sitcom "Spin City" in 2000, shared that it was during this time he first confided in his co-stars about his stuttering. He recalled the moment he received the script for the show, realizing, "Oh, that's a problem. That's gonna be a problem. I can't say that." He found it liberating to be open about his struggles, stating, "When in doubt, just be human enough to be vulnerable, and to know that it's okay to ask for help."

Before his role in "Spin City," Sheen faced significant challenges with addiction. He first tried crack cocaine in 1992 and entered rehabilitation for the first time in 1990 after his family intervened. At 24, he struggled with the stigma of needing help. "It's hard to ask for help when somebody else has raised your hand for you," he said, reflecting on his desire for control.

In the late 1990s, his father, actor Martin Sheen, reported him for violating probation, which Sheen initially perceived as a betrayal. However, he later recognized it as an act of love. Despite achieving sobriety, Sheen relapsed while working on the hit series "Two and a Half Men," where he began using prescription pills. He described the stress of hiding his addiction, saying, "It's a terrible feeling. You gotta remember who, you know, always worry about who knows what."

In 2011, during the peak of the show's popularity, Sheen entered rehab again, leading to a hiatus for the series. He was eventually barred from the set and fired. After years of struggle, Sheen quit alcohol in 2017 and has maintained sobriety since. He has since focused on mending relationships with loved ones affected by his addiction.

Sheen's memoir, released on September 9, details his life experiences, while a Netflix docuseries titled "AKA Charlie Sheen" will feature insights from his friends, former co-stars, and family members. Looking to the future, Sheen expressed a desire to be recognized as a writer and author, believing that his best days may still lie ahead. "This story should've ended 100 times 20 years ago, and it didn't. And it didn't," he said. "So whatever happens next might be just where some of the real gold has been hidden, you know?"