We are so proud of Colton Haynes. The Teen Wolf star just opened up about his issues with depression, anxiety, alcoholism and addiction, and we couldn’t be more amazed by his strength. He shared some old photos of himself in the hospital, to let his fans know that he’s doing a lot better now.
“Throwback. I don’t want worrying about if I look hot or not on Instagram to be my legacy. I don’t want to skirt around the truth to please other people or to gain economic success. I have far more important things to say than what magazine I just shot for or what tv show I’m a part of (Although I’m very thankful I still get to do what I love). I no longer want to project a curated life,” he wrote on Instagram on Monday, August 19. “I get immense joy when someone comes up to me and says that my willingness to open up about depression, anxiety, alcoholism and addiction has helped them in some way. I’ve struggled the past year with trying to find my voice and where I fit in and that has been the most beautiful struggle I’ve ever had to go through.”
“Worrying about what time to post on social media so I can maximize my likes or being mad at myself that I don’t look the same way I did when I was addicted to pills is a complete waste of why I was put on this earth,” the actor continued. “I’m posting these photos to let y’all in on my truth. I’m so grateful to be where I am now (a year after these photos were taken) but man these times were dark. I’m a human being with flaws just like you. If you’re in the middle of the dark times… I promise you it doesn’t have to last forever. Love y’all.”
Previously, Colton got real about his issues during in a interview with Attitude Magazine in March 2019. The 31-year-old told the outlet that at the time he was celebrating being six months sober, after completing a four-month treatment program. Although he admitted that drinking and drug use had been a part of his life for more than 10 years, Colton said that his “downward spiral” truly started after he came out as gay in 2016. And when his mom unfortunately passed away in 2018 and he went through a divorce from husband Jeff Leatham, it was too much for the Arrow star to handle.
“I fell apart,” he told the magazine. “My brain broke. I was doing a massive comedy for a studio, showed up to work and got fired on the first day. They said I looked as if I had ‘dead in my eyes,’ and I did. I got so heavily involved with drugs and alcohol to mask the amount of pain I was feeling that I couldn’t even make some decisions for myself. I was drowning in my own s–t.”
Now that he’s doing a lot better, Colton wants to make his journey known, in an attempt to help others who are struggling.
“I’m always going to be in recovery,” he continued. “There are so many people struggling out there, but not a lot of them talk about it. Life is much more beautiful than I could have imagined. It’s just a different life now. It’s the best gift I’ve ever been given.”
He’s definitely come a long way.
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