Rob Lowe gave up alcohol and drugs in 1990 and has been outspoken about his road to sobriety for the past 30 years after he started drinking at a young age.
In a new interview on NBC’s Today, the 56-year-old actor reflected on his previous battle with addiction as a teenage idol and member of the Brat Pack in the 1980s.
‘What really impresses me is that I look back at that 18 year old kid on The Outsiders, and I realize that my kids are much older than that and I would be concerned about putting them in that position now,’ reflected the star.
30 years sober: Rob Lowe reflected on his previous battle with addiction as a teenage idol and member of the Brat Pack in the 1980s
Previously, in his book, Stories I Only Tell My Friends, Lowe revealed that actors in the 1983 age-old drama “always got beer,” despite being under 21, according to NPR.
“No one is going to have a pity party or a marathon for all 18-year-old film stars in distress,” he noted. ‘Got it. As if everyone spent their time in the barrel.
Referring to his own series of events that led to rock bottom and rehabilitation, including a sex tape with a minor girl in 1988, he said that “every ten years” another rising star faces similar struggles, such as “Justin Bieber, or whoever it is now. ‘
‘What really impresses me is that I look back at that 18 year old kid on The Outsiders, and I realize that my kids are much older than that and I would be concerned about putting them in that position now,’ reflected the star (seen in the 1983 adulthood drama)
“No one is going to have a pity party or a marathon for all 18-year-old film stars in distress,” he said. ‘Got it. As if everyone spent their time in the barrel ‘
“Either you go out on the other side, much, much better or much, much, much worse,” he reflected, before crediting “recovery, sobriety and therapy” for saving his life.
When asked how he remained sober for 30 years, he said ‘you have to want to do this.’
He explained: ‘Unfortunately nobody can get healthy because of work, or the relationship, or the lawsuit, or because of the mother or father, or the sister and brother, they can only do that when they want to.’
‘Either you leave the other side, much, much better or much, much, much worse’, he reflected, before crediting recovery, sobriety and therapy ‘for saving your life
Lowe shares his two sons John, 26, and Matthew, 28, with his wife Sheryl Berkoff, whom he married in 1991.
The couple’s youngest son made public his sobriety journey in April, by sending an image of his Twelve Step program showing that he has been sober for two years.
The post comes at a time when Rob, 56, set his own significant milestone last year, marking 30 years of sobriety.
Honest: When asked how sober he was for 30 years, he said ‘you have to want to do this’
Underneath his son’s post, the Parks And Recreation star commented, ‘I’ve never been more proud. Your hard work is an inspiration. Keep returning. ‘
Marco: Rob Lowe’s son John Owen Lowe took to Instagram to reveal that he has been sober for two years
For added effect in his post, son John also included a SnapChat image alongside his AA stats, showing him drunk drinking a bottle of wine on his party days to emphasize how far he has come.
During the scene of John drinking, a caption reads: ‘Life is short, screw it up’.
But alongside the split image, the Stanford University graduate began his statement with the title: ‘So -> Now.’
Proud father: Rob’s encouraging comment to his son
Opening: ‘I didn’t talk about my sobriety here just because I felt it was something I wanted to keep personal, but I changed my mind today,’ wrote the star’s son
‘I didn’t talk about my sobriety here just because I felt it was something I wanted to keep personal, but I changed my mind today,’ he continued.
‘Two years later, I am more grateful than ever for having a supportive community and friends who continue to strengthen and hold me accountable.
“Making the decision to change your life is difficult at any age, but as a young person, I hope I can be a small example of what is possible and that things really get MUCH BETTER,” continued John.