Liam Neeson's Son Micheál Opens Up About Life After Natasha Richardson's Death

He was only 13 years old when he turned to drugs and alcohol to deal with the grief

Natasha Richardson's surprising death took its toll on a lot of people, especially Liam Neeson and their son Micheál. Six years later and now 19 years old, Micheál finally opened up about how his mother's untimely death affected him, admitting that his inconsolable grief led him down a dangerous path of excessive partying at just 13 years old.

But his out-of-control antics didn't begin right away. Instead, he considered them a "delayed reaction," telling Sunday Times Style magazine that he originally thought he could move past the ordeal almost immediately.

"Of course, when it happened it was devastating," he said. "But in my mind, subconsciously, I either pushed it out or stored it deep inside. And so, within the next week I was like, 'OK, get on with my life.'"

Studying at a New England boarding school when the Parent Trap actress fell during a skiing accident in Canada, Micheál revealed that he turned to New York City to party a lot to look for "self-gratification." While many thought his partying ways were a result of his mother's death, he insisted it was because he just enjoyed having fun.

"Everybody said, 'This kid has lost his mum, that's where the problem comes from.' And I was like, 'No, it isn't, I just like to party.'"

But the Taken star's son finally realized he was hitting "rock bottom," which prompted him to wake up and change his ways, including finding other people to hang out with. He also sought help at a facility in the Utah desert where he slept in a tent. He has been sober ever since.

"Not having the mother figure definitely set the balance of family off," he admitted to the magazine. "When I was younger, I was more of a momma's boy, my brother was more of a dad's boy. So I took solace in my friends, just living with different families."

Now living in London and working as a fashion gallery curator, Micheál said he credits his father for helping him get his act together.

"It took him years to make it," he dished. "He's an inspiration. He's a hardworking man...I respect that."