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Colton Haynes opens up about addiction, shares throwback hospital photos

The ‘Arrow’ star says he ‘no longer wants to project a curated life’

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Colton Haynes. (Photo via Instagram)

Colton Haynes opened up about his pill addiction with a series of throwback photos including some pictures of the “Arrow” star in the hospital.

“Throwback. I don’t want worrying about if I look hot or not on Instagram to be my legacy,” Haynes captioned the photos. “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.”

He continued: “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.”

Haynes has been candid about his struggles with addiction and anxiety in the past. In a May interview with Attitude, Haynes says his public divorce from florist Jeff Leatham and the death of his mother contributed to his “downward spiral.”

“I came out and, in a way, my downward spiral started,” Haynes told Attitude. “I felt extremely free but at the same time the amount of attention I was getting was making me spin out of control. I got married and that didn’t work out. That was extremely public and heart-breaking, and right when that was going on, my mom died. That was only a year ago.”

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Throwback. I donā€™t want worrying about if I look hot or not on Instagram to be my legacy. I donā€™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 Iā€™m a part of (Although Iā€™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. Iā€™ve struggled the past year with trying to find my voice and where I fit in & that has been the most beautiful struggle Iā€™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 donā€™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. Iā€™m posting these photos to let yā€™all in on my truth. Iā€™m so grateful to be where I am now ( a year after these photos were taken) but man these times were dark. Iā€™m a human being with flaws just like you. If ur in the middle of the dark times…I promise you it doesnā€™t have to last forever. Love yā€™all ā¤ļø

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on

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PHOTOS: New York City Pride Parade

Annual LGBTQ march held in Manhattan

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The 2024 New York City Pride Parade was held on June 30. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The 2024 New York City Pride Parade wound through the streets of Manhattan and past the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday, June 30.

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

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PHOTOS: Fredericksburg Pride

Fourth annual LGBTQ march and festival held in Virginia town

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The 2024 Fredericksburg Pride March wound through the streets of Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fourth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 29. The event began with a march around downtown Fredericksburg beginning and ending in the park.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Goodwin Living Pride

Senior living and healthcare organization holds fourth annual march at Falls Church campus

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Drag artist Crimsyn marches alongside residents and supporters at the fourth annual Goodwin Living Bailey's Crossroads community Pride march on June 25. (Photo courtesy of Goodwin Living)

The senior living and healthcare organization Goodwin Living held its fourth annual community Pride march around its Bailey’s Crossroads campus in Falls Church, Va. with residents, friends and supporters on Tuesday, June 25. Following the march, a drag brunch was held with performances by drag artists of SADBrunch: Crimsyn, Sapphire Dupree and Evon Dior Michelle.

(Photos courtesy of Goodwin Living)

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