Moon walker now on different flight

Moon-walker Buzz Aldrin discusses alcoholism, depression

At age 78, Buzz Aldrin has the posture of a military man and can talk at length about his experience with fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong as the first humans to walk on the moon.

He and Armstrong stepped on the lunar surface during the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969 and immediately became international celebrities. He recalls following Armstrong out of the space capsule, uttering the words ''magnificent desolation'' and posing for the iconic pictures.

But Aldrin didn't come to Fort Lauderdale on Friday afternoon to solely talk about space travel.

His message was far more personal. It was about his lifelong battle against depression and alcoholism.

Unprepared for the fame and uncertain of his place in the world upon his return from space, Aldrin said he struggled for years, dropping in and out of treatment programs and claiming recovery only to relapse.

He has been sober for the past 29 years.

Aldrin said he speaks about his past to share the message that no one is immune from depression and alcoholism -- and that help is available.

''There is much more hope for people that in the past just didn't face a good promise of recovery,'' he told reporters at a press conference organized by Broward Housing Solutions, an organization that provides affordable housing for homeless people who have mental illness.

Aldrin retold his story about depression and alcoholism on Friday night as the keynote speaker at a fundraiser in Fort Lauderdale to benefit the housing organization.

Aldrin's own depression, he said, is inherited.

His mother, whose last name was Moon, killed herself, as did her father.

Both of his parents drank.

Although he has been sober for nearly three decades,

Aldrin called his recovery ``a never-ending process.''

''I'm an engineer, and I understand a few things and how you can come pretty close to a near optimum solution,'' he said. ``Spirituality and human relations may not be the highest on my list of talents.''

It was his time in recovery more than his travels through space that gave him a clear vision of humankind's place in the universe, he said.

Lisa Vecchi, CEO of Broward Housing Solutions, said Aldrin's willingness to speak about his struggles was a reassurance to people who have had similar experiences.

The message, she said, was: ``You are not alone.''