Jason Isaacs is celebrating a major milestone as he marks 27 years of sobriety.
The White Lotus star, 62, reflected on his journey in a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday, October 5, sharing what it was like to experience his first night without drugs or alcohol.
Twenty-seven years ago today the sun rose on the first 24 hours I’d had clean or drugs or alcohol in my entire adult life, I didn’t wake up that way because I didn’t wake up. I hadn’t gone to bed to keep away from temptation and to avoid tearing up my floorboards (again) or searching every item of clothing (again) — both surprisingly fruitful over the previous days.
he wrote.
Isaacs described that moment as a major turning point in his life. Although he did not know how long his sobriety would last, he finally felt something he had not felt in decades. “Hope. I’d got through one night. Who knew what was possible?”
Since then, Isaacs has continued his recovery journey “one step at a time” and “one day at a time.” Celebrating more than two decades free from substance abuse, he shared why it is important for him to speak about his experience.
I’m writing to see that it’s possible if you ask for help. You don’t have to do it the way I did, but however far gone you think you are, however irreversible you think your situation is, there’s always a way back. A way forward [and] a way back to the surface. Always. Just take the first baby step and surrender.
The actor also took a moment to thank those who have supported him along the way.
Thank you to everyone who helped me and continues to help me try and stay sane in an insane world, It’s not false modesty or humility to say that I couldn’t have done it without you. I tried doing it by myself and failed every single time. I’m so grateful to be present in life, even for the awful things, the painful things, the scare things. I ran from them before and now, sometimes, not always, I run at them. I show it.
he wrote
He ended his post with a message of encouragement for anyone facing similar struggles: “Good luck. You can do it.”
Isaacs has previously spoken openly about the challenges that led him to seek sobriety.
In a 2020 interview with The Big Issue, he revealed that before he quit, he felt completely cut off from the world.
I thought I was broken, I remember there being a moment, not long before I got clean, when it suddenly occurred to me that if everybody I knew died, literally every single person, I probably wouldn’t mind that much… I know now that’s not true and never was. I love, I feel, I connect [and] I care. We all do. The drugs weren’t a way of dealing with that sense of distance, the drugs were causing it.
he said at the time.
Now, after 27 years of sobriety, Isaacs says he has discovered purpose, connection, and hope a message he continues to share with others who are facing similar struggles.
Source: Instagram