Rob Lowe marks 33 years of sobriety: 'Hope and joy are waiting if you want it, and are willing to work for it'

Rob Lowe is celebrating 33 years of sobriety.

The actor marked the milestone in a social media post shared Wednesday, in which he detailed how embracing sobriety has impacted his life. "33 years ago today I found recovery and a tribe that has sustained me on my incredible, grateful journey," he began.

"My life is full of love, family, God, opportunity, friends, work, dogs and fun," the actor continued.

He also shared a note of encouragement to those struggling with addiction: "If you or someone you know is struggling with any form of addiction: hope and joy are waiting if you want it, and are willing to work for it!"

The actor's post was flooded with support and remarks commending him for his strength in committing to his recovery. "We are so proud of you," actress Gwyneth Paltrow wrote. "We love you so much."

"Proud of your recovery, opposite feeling about this selfie," Lowe's son, John Owen, commented on the post. John Owen opened up about his own sobriety journey in Men's Health in March, saying he'd been sober for five years.

Lowe previously opened up on his sobriety for Variety's Recovery series in 2021, explaining how he started drinking as a young teen and later started abusing substances.

He also spoke about how widespread he felt cocaine use was in Hollywood as he grew in the industry. "This was just how the business was back then," Lowe said. "Cocaine was the thing that successful people did."

The actor told Variety that a missed call from his mother was what made him ready to change.

"I was ready when one day back in the days of answering machines my mother called me and I could hear her voice on the answering machine," he recalled to the outlet. "I didn’t want to pick up because I was really, really hungover and I didn’t want her to know. She was telling me that my grandfather, who I loved, was in critical condition in the hospital and she needed my help. And I didn’t pick up."

He said he was focused on drinking in that moment instead, and realized he needed help. He told Variety that he called a drug and alcohol counselor the next day.