Rob Lowe gave up alcohol and drugs in 1990 and has been open to his sobriety for the past 30 years, having first started drinking at a very young age.
In a new interview on NBC’s Today, the 56-year-old actor reflected on his previous fight against addiction as a teenage god and member of the Brat Pack in the 1980s.
“The thing that really makes me wave is that I look back at that 18-year-old in The Outsiders, and realize that my kids are much older than that and that I would be afraid to put them in that position now,” the star.
30 years sober: Rob Lowe reflects on his earlier struggle with addiction as a teenage god and member of the Brat Pack in the 1980s
Previously, Lowe revealed in his book, Stories I Only Tell My Friends, that actors about the 1983 coming-of-age drama were ‘always provided with beers’, even though they were under 21, according to NPR.
“No one is going to be sorry for a party or hold phone calls for all the suffering 18-year-old movie stars,” he remarks. ‘I understand. As everyone goes through their time in the barrel. ‘
Referring to his own series of events that led to his downfall and rehabilitation, including a sex bond with a minor girl in 1988, he said ‘every ten years’ another rising star endures similar struggles, such as’ Justin Bieber, or whoever it is now. ‘
“The thing that really makes me wave is that I look back at that 18-year-old in The Outsiders, and realize that my kids are much older than that and that I would be afraid to put them in that position now,” the star (seen in the 1983 coming of age drama)
“No one is going to have a pity party or make a phone call to all the suffering 18-year-old movie stars,” he said. ‘I understand. As everyone goes through their time in the process’
“You come to the other side of the way, way, way better, or way, way, much worse,” he reflected before attributing “recovery, sobriety and therapy” to saving his life.
Asked how he had remained sober for thirty years, he said “you must want to do it.”
He explained: ‘Unfortunately, no one can be healed for their job, or for their relationship, or for their court case, or because of mom or dad, or sister and brother, they can only do it if they want to do it. ‘
“You come to the other side of the way, way, way better or way, way, much worse,” he reflected before acknowledging recovery, sobriety and therapy “to save his 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 child revealed his sobriety in April by uploading an image from his Twelve-Step Program that shows he has been sober for two years.
The post comes when Rob, 56, marked his own important milestone last year, which has been sober for 30 years.
Honestly: When asked how he remained sober for thirty years, he said ‘you must want to do this’
Speaking of his son, the Parks And Recreation star said: ‘I have never been more proud. Your hard work is an inspiration. Keep coming back. ‘
Milestone: John Owen Lowe, son of Rob Lowe, took Instagram last to reveal that he has been sober for two years
For extra effect in his post, son John also recorded a SnapChat image along with his AA stats, which showed him drunk from a bottle of wine in his party days to highlight how far he had come.
On the lap of John drinking, a caption reads: ‘Life is short, blow it’.
But in addition to the split image, the Stanford University graduate began his statement with the headline ‘Then -> Now’.
Proud father: Rob’s encouraging remark to his son
At the beginning: “I have not yet spoken out about my sobriety here just because I felt it was something I personally wanted to keep, but I had a heart change today,” the star’s son wrote.
“I did not speak out about my sobriety here just because I felt it was something I personally wanted to keep, but I had a change of heart today,” he continued.
‘It’s two years later and I’m more grateful than ever for a community of support and friends who continue to build me up and hold me accountable.
“The decision to change your life is difficult at any age, but as a young person I hope I can be a small example that it is possible and that things really get MUCH BETTER,” John added.