Brittany Cartwright Says Jax Taylor Has Done 'Irreparable Damage' to Their Son Cruz, 3, After He Reveals Cocaine Addiction

Mar. 15, 2025

Brittany Cartwright (left) and Jax Taylor (right).Photo:Steven Simione/FilmMagic; Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

Brittany Cartwright Cauchi attends the 2023 L’Oréal Paris Women Of Worth at NeueHouse Hollywood

Steven Simione/FilmMagic; Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

After news broke on Tuesday, March 4, that Taylor hasbeen dealing with substance issues, Cartwright released a statement on her Instagram Stories, sharing that her former husband’s addictions have caused “irreparable damage” to herself and their 3-year-old son Cruz Cauchi.

“His addiction unfortunately has done irreparable damage to my son and I. I’ve spent years trying to help him,” Cartwright wrote. “I wish more than anyone I could say how proud I am of him today but I’d be lying. His actions will speak for themselves.”

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“You can’t help who you fell in love with. I’ve done absolutely everything in my power to get him the help he desperately needed,” Cartwright went on. “Unfortunately, I was naive and believed his empty promises and his pleads to change for years.”

“Once you have a child with someone it’s not easy to leave,” she continued. “It took everything in my power to gather the strength to walk away. For those that have been through similar, you get it. For those that question me…that’s okay. I’m in a much better place now.”

Earlier this week, Taylor appeared on Bravo’sHot Micpodcast and told host Alex Baskin that he’s had “substance issues — primarily with cocaine” for the past 20 years. He shared that one of the reasons he’sstriving to get sober is for his son.

“The big thing here is my son. He’s my drive and he’s my No. 1 driver for this,” the formerVanderpump Rulesstar candidly shared.

“Obviously, I’m not the type of person who can have one drink and be okay. It’s just not in my cards, and I had to stop. I was going to lose custody,” he went on. “I’m embarrassing my ex-wife and I’m embarrassing myself. Nobody’s looking at me seriously. I want to do it for myself.”

Taylor went on, saying that he’s currently only able to see his son when Cartwright allows him to.

“I take care of my son as much as [Brittany] allows me to. I don’t know what else she wants from me.” he said. “I’m doing everything that she’s asked for just because I respect her, and I want to make her happy. I’m going above and beyond to show her that I do care, and I want to be in my son’s life.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

source: people.com