Jamie Lee Curtis recently reflected on the profound changes in her life following her triumph over addiction. Celebrating 26 years of sobriety, the Oscar winner took to Instagram to mark this significant milestone. In a heartfelt post on Feb. 3, she shared a snapshot from her Twelve Steps app, detailing the exact duration of her sobriety in years, months, days, and hours.
“26 years ago today I walked into my first recovery meeting,” Curtis began in her touching caption, expressing gratitude for the transformations she has experienced. She highlighted the profound impact sobriety has had on her relationships, personal growth, and creative endeavors, emphasizing the unforeseen possibilities it brought into her life.
Acknowledging the support she has received from individuals sharing their own struggles with addiction, Curtis extended her appreciation to those who have crossed her path on this journey. Additionally, she touched upon the devastating California wildfires, recounting the harrowing experience of witnessing her community engulfed in flames.
In a poignant reflection on her commitment to sobriety, Curtis emphasized resilience in the face of challenges, symbolized by an image of the spot where she once sat during her weekly meetings, now altered by the ravages of time and nature. Encouraging self-compassion and perseverance, she conveyed a message of unity and strength to her followers.
Returning to social media later that day, Curtis shared a photo proudly wearing a shirt emblazoned with “I love LA,” symbolizing the joy and freedom that accompany a life of sobriety. Reflecting on the culmination of 66 years of life and 26 years of sobriety, she exuded a sense of gratitude and empowerment, encapsulated in the hashtag “recovery.”
Curtis has consistently emphasized the significance of her journey to sobriety, previously commemorating her 25th anniversary in a heartfelt post. Through her candid discussions and reflections, she aims to inspire and support others grappling with addiction. In her candid interviews and social media posts, she champions the importance of self-acceptance and breaking free from the shackles of people-pleasing, inviting others to join her in a shared journey of healing and growth.
“It felt like the wisest sage had descended upon me,” Curtis shared with TODAY’s Hoda Kotb during an interview aired on Jan. 16. “So, I am striving to embrace it. Isn’t that the essence of life? We mature, we gain knowledge, we experience various things. And now, we must embrace it. We must embrace our true selves, embody who we are, and wholeheartedly accept both our strengths and weaknesses. And I believe that’s the beauty of where I am right now — owning it.”
Curtis has been candid about her struggle with opiate addiction, which began in the late 1980s when she was prescribed pain medication after undergoing minor eye surgery. “I was ahead of the opiate epidemic,” she shared with People in 2018. “I had a ten-year battle, filled with theft and deception. No one suspected a thing.”
During a 2023 appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Curtis recounted her fondness for the effects of opiates and expressed gratitude that highly potent substances like fentanyl were not as accessible then as they are now on the streets. She acknowledged the tragic loss of her brother Nicholas, who passed away at 21 from a heroin overdose.
After a decade of addiction, Curtis achieved sobriety in 1999. Today, she remains active in her acting career and has authored a children’s book centered on the theme of patience, titled “Just One More Sleep.” While children are often focused on the future, Curtis emphasized the importance of living in the present moment, being genuine, and staying true to oneself. “I speak my truth, I stand by my words, and I strive to communicate with kindness,” she emphasized.
Hoda concurred, acknowledging Curtis’s authenticity and realness. “When you are in someone’s presence and you experience the genuine connection that I feel sitting next to you,” Hoda remarked.
This article was originally featured on TODAY.com.
