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Drew Barrymore breaks down as she revisits mental health institution where she was placed as a child

The star opened up in a heartbreaking moment

Hannah Hargrave
US Deputy Editor
May 24, 2022
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Drew Barrymore has made no secret of her difficult childhood and on Tuesday she stunned fans with an emotional message as she shared a video of her revisiting the facility where she was institutionalized as a child. 

The E.T. actress was placed in the hospital when she was just 13 years old by her mother and spent 18 months there. 

MORE: Drew Barrymore brings fans to tears as she makes heartbreaking family confession

During a past segment on The Drew Barrymore Show, she returned to the "barb wire" facility and tearfully opened up about the difficult time she spent there. 

WATCH: Drew Barrymore revists the mental health institution where she was placed as a child 

While sitting on top of a car to get a better view over the wall of the clinic, Drew recalled: "I was a real wild child. And I just got so out of control that no one knew what to do with me. 

"So my mom called a friend -  because her daughter was out of control - and they drove me here in the middle of the night and they walked me through those two doors. And when you go through those doors, you do not come out. I was there for a year and a half."

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Drew was incredibly emotional as she remembered the heartbreaking time in her childhood. She said: "And I hated it. I kicked, I screamed. One minute, you're at movie premieres and clubbing and the next you're in a full blown institution with barbed wire everywhere and you can't get out."

drew barrymore sad© Photo: Instagram

Drew was placed in the facility by her mother 

The clip was from a segment last year, during which she took a tour of places in LA which had meaning to her. 

From her childhood home, to the apartment she moved into at the age of 14 by herself and even the laundromatte which held dear memories for her.  

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Drew continued: "I think this is important for me to share with people because when they watch our show, we have a very beautiful set and I get to dress in nice clothing and get my hair and makeup done. There's an elegance, hopefully, to the show, but I will never lose sight of this part of my story."

drew barrymore children© Photo: Getty Images

Drew is now raising two daughters of her own 

She added: "I have seen and been through things and they've helped me just recognize in all of us that we go through stuff and it can be embarrassing. It has to be our strengths. It has to be something we're proud of because we overcame it and we look back with honor and humor."

Drew is now raising two daughters of her own and while it's difficult being a single mom, she relishes everything she has.  

"Life is so wonderful compared to what it was in this place," she said as she brushed tears away from her eyes. "I can't even believe I actually get to be where I am now, because when I was here. I didn't see that. I thought I would be here forever. 

"I never thought I was gonna make it to somewhere better. I'm just so happy with my life. I don't know if I would have the life I have if it wasn't for a place like this. So it was important to come here today."

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