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Actor Colton Haynes has posted a series of images to Instagram that most have taken to show him marking three years of being drink and drug-free. He can be seen welling up over a cake with the figure ‘3’ rising above it. One image shows the cake bearing a photo of Haynes as a child.
Haynes, 33, simply captioned the image: “🎂 3 🎂”
In March 2019, Haynes told Attitude magazine that he was six months clean, meaning he’d have stopped around this time in 2018. Before this, he’d been abusing substances for the previous decade. He said things really began to spiral out of control after he publicly came out in 2016.
“In 10 years, there were maybe 25 days I didn’t drink,” the actor said. “I remember when I started, it was a couple glasses of wine, and it regressed into really dark times.
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“I used to blame it on my anxiety or depression issues, but really the root of all my problems was the alcohol and drugs.”
Related: Colton Haynes pays homage to Tom of Finland
He followed this on Instagram in August 2019 with a photo of himself from the year previously, when he was in hospital for treatment for his substance abuse.
“I no longer want to project a curated life. I get immense joy when someone comes up to me & says that my willingness to open up about depression, anxiety, alcoholism, & addiction has helped them in some way,” he said in the accompanying caption.
“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 ur in the middle of the dark times…I promise you it doesn’t have to last forever. Love y’all ❤️”
Haynes first found widespread fame in 2011 by playing the role of Jackson Whittemore in the MTV reboot of Teen Wolf, before a lead role in Arrow.
Last month, Deadline reported that Teen Wolf’s original creator, Jeff Davis, was working on a sequel movie featuring members of the original cast.
Haynes was among those to share the news on his social media, leading many to assume that he will be involved with forthcoming movie.
Related: 6 times Colton Haynes bared his soul & shared his secrets. It’s why we adore him.
Mister P
Congratulations on 3 years. That’s a big deal!!
Cam
He seems much happier and more relaxed now that he fully came out and got over the stress and shame that bigotry in the industry can cause.
whateverokok
Except that he came out in 2016 and didn’t get sober until 2018. So, that’s a NO. Nice try though. Coming out doesn’t solve all life’s problems. In some cases, it makes it worse. It did for me until I realized the truth. That there is no closet except the one we hang our clothes in.
And the realization that labels are for cans of soup. Once I wrapped around that in my head and threw all that shit out of my life, I was a much better person. Until life, with unrelated incidents, struck me down hard. The idea that life is supposed to one happy dance is ludicrous. It gets better? YEAH, RIGHT!!! Another lie the politics told you to get more numbers. Wake up, SHEEP!
white-queer-african
@Whateverokok, just another name being used by the sad pathetic troll. Your sentiments gives it all away dear old ram!
whateverokok
Yeah. And talking to a burning building such as yourself has the same results. It’s going to go down in flames anyway, so do we bother. Have fun being the flame of the party.
Kangol2
Congrats, Colton Haynes. You can stay on this path, too.
white-queer-african
High five Colton Haynes.
Keep going being strong.
Max
good job, Colton!
Fahd
I congratulate him and wish him the best, but I have to add that I just watched this Sammy Davis special where they talked about Sammy announcing on Larry King that he had been sober and stopped smoking for x amount of time and then after the show, someone found him having a bourbon and cigarette in his dressing room.
I hope Colton stays with it. I’m a fan from way back.
PerhapsYesNoMaybe
Addiction is a big problem in America. Good for him for getting help.
malerntogo
Congratulations Colton! It must have been difficult staying sober during the divorce but you did! Be proud of yourself!
TEAKWOOD18
Congrats Colton, I just celebrated 10 yrs. ODAT!
IanHunter
Good for him. I am surprised that he made it through the pandemic without a drink. I drank a lot during lockdown. I hope he stays sober and healthy.