Does Pete Hegseth have a drinking problem? What we know so far

Pete Hegseth, an Army veteran, has acknowledged using alcohol as a coping mechanism after his 2006 Iraq deployment, describing it as “self-medication” during a challenging reintegration into civilian life. In his 2016 book In the Arena and a 2021 podcast, he admitted to drinking heavily during that time. However, Hegseth credits his faith and wife Jennifer for helping him overcome these habits, stating, “Only by the grace of God was I able to undo that cycle.” Despite these admissions, he denies having a drinking problem, asserting he has never required or been advised to seek professional help.