Saoirse Ronan spoke about her personal experience of alcoholism and addiction on the occasion of the release of her new film “The Outrun”. The drama marks the first time the four-time Oscar-nominated actress is also a producer.

In a recent interview with Vogue, the 30-year-old actress opened up about what it’s been like to play a character struggling with alcoholism, admitting that she’s seen the toll of addiction on some of her closest friends.

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He explained: “From a professional and personal point of view, it was an issue that is very personal to me. It’s an addiction that has caused me a lot of pain and anger, as it has for other people. To be able to live the experience of someone who suffered from this addiction and understand how painful it is, how innocence is lost and someone is at the bottom of the well, was a gift for me.”

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The actress mentioned that she has seen the pain and damage caused by alcoholism. “I’ve seen people I love change because of addiction. There’s a helplessness you feel when you see someone you love – friends my age and especially one I’m close to – going through something like this. What will stay in my mind forever is that change, when someone’s eyes drop and go.”

Saoirse co-produced the film with her husband Jack Lowden, whom she married last July. In the interview, the actress said that she always wanted to have children and start her own family.

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“I became successful when I was quite young. So that meant that, actually, by the time I found my partner, I was now at the stage where, if it happened, I would like to have a child. I feel lucky enough that if I step out of it for a minute, I hope I don’t leave it forever. But, yeah, I’ve always wanted that.”