dark times

Colton Haynes shares heartbreaking photos taken during his addiction to pills

Colton Haynes is once again opening up about his struggles with addiction in hopes of helping others.

Yesterday, the Arrow star shared several photos with his 6.4 million followers on Instagram that were taken while he was suffering from an addiction to prescription pills.

“I don’t want worrying about if I look hot or not on Instagram to be my legacy,” Haynes writes. “I no longer want to project a curated life.”

Haynes goes on to say that “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.”

“I’m posting these photos to let y’all in on my truth,” he says. “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.”

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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. 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. I’ve struggled the past year with trying to find my voice and where I fit in & 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. 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 ??

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on

Earlier this year, Haynes spoke with Attitude about his struggles with drugs and alcohol.

“In 10 years, there were maybe 25 days I didn’t drink,” he said. “I used to blame it on my anxiety or depression issues, but really the root of all my problems was the alcohol and drugs.”

He continued, “Once I went to treatment, I found this amazing amount of true love for myself, and started figuring out who I am without those vices, and recognizing the people in my life who lifted me up instead of tearing me down.”

“I’m always going to be in recovery. 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.”

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