‘Stranger Things’ Star Jamie Campbell Bower Is Celebrating 7-and-a-half Years Of Sobriety

Jamie Campbell Bower did not just celebrate his success of the fourth season of Stranger Things. He has some other things to celebrate too. Bower celebrated being sober for 7 1/2 years and opened up about his struggles with addiction and mental health in a two-part Twitter post.

The actor revealed that he's been substance-free for nearly a decade, but that years ago he struggled with addiction and, at one point, was even hospitalized. Bower said, "12 and a half years ago I was in active addiction. Hurting myself and those around me who I loved the most. It got so bad that eventually I ended up in a hospital for mental health. I am now 7 1/2 years clean and sober. I have made many mistakes in my life..."

He added that he's in a better place now and is thankful to have achieved everything he has. "But each day is a chance to start again," Bower wrote. "Atone for mistakes and grow. For anyone who wakes up thinking 'oh God not again' I promise you there's a way. I'm so grateful to be where I am. I'm so grateful to be sober. I'm so grateful to be. Remember, we are all works in progress."

Jamie is not alone who went through this phase and is proud to talk about it. Hayden Panettiere, Demi Lovato, Drew Barrymore, and Daniel Radcliffe were a few celebrities who have been in the same place and came out of it with their head held high. 

The actor's 900,000-plus Twitter followers took no time to send love and support. Many of his fans said that they are proud of the Twilight star and are inspired by him. “Thank you for sharing your story and for being a person others look up to. So proud,” one follower tweeted.

Other followers applauded Bower for sharing his struggles with the public. “So important for men in particular to open up about their struggles with mental health. It shouldn’t be a taboo subject. Me & so many of my family members have suffered mental health issues, so I can totally relate,” one wrote.

“The stigma is still there, but let’s keep talking & sharing. Well done to you for overcoming those dark times & using your experience to help others. Love & respect,” another person tweeted.

This wasn't Bower's first time addressing the subject. His 2019 song, It Gets Better which he recorded with his band Counterfeit, featured references to mental health and addiction, including the lyrics, "If you've seen the bottom, if you've given up/Believe me, my sister, there is hope for us."

Bower also talked about quitting drugs in a 2019 interview with i-D. He shared that while in recovery, the first thing he was taught was to be “super honest” about what he was feeling — whether it be “guilt, shame, fear,” etc. “And it’s the hardest thing to do, is just express exactly what it is that you’re feeling,” he added.