Astronaut Buzz Aldrin published a new autobiography, “Magnificent Desolation,” in which he details his battle with depression and alcoholism. After going to the moon Aldrin was commandent of the test pilot school for a year. He became depressed and sought medical treatment, which included a month of hospitalization.
Aldrin explains that while the military’s discipline and commitments kept him on track, once he no longer had those commitments and started to make unwise decisions.
“I inherited those tendencies for alcoholism from both of my parents, for depression – mostly from my mother’s side,” he told Lauer. “She committed suicide a year before I went to the moon.”
Aldrin recently celebrated his 30th year of sobriety.
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