Jason Bateman's sobriety pact with wife revealed

Jason Bateman chose to become sober due to negotiations with his wife, Amanda Anka, prioritizing their marriage. He shared that Anka's dissatisfaction with his unpredictable partying led him to accelerate his sobriety timeline, effectively "landing the plane" to alleviate marital tension. Bateman has abstained from alcohol and other substances for decades, humorously identifying as "California sober," a term for marijuana use only.

His decision was also driven by a desire to achieve his career aspirations before becoming a father. Bateman recognized the need to moderate his lifestyle, recalling friends who experienced severe consequences from their substance use. He and Anka, who met in the 1980s and married in 2001, have two daughters, Francesca and Maple. Bateman reflected on how his past partying nearly ended their relationship, noting that alcohol was the key substance he needed to stop using to maintain his sobriety and career focus.