Actor David Morrissey has candidly discussed how severe social anxiety contributed to his battle with alcoholism. In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne, the 61-year-old star, known for roles in The Walking Dead and Sherwood, revealed he is a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for 21 years.
Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
Morrissey explained that drinking initially helped him manage his anxiety. "Drinking first was about anxiety. I've had this terrible social anxiety and that helped me get through it," he said. He began drinking as a teenager following his father's death and later found it difficult to stop. "In my adult life, I couldn't stop. I wasn't drinking to be convivial. I was on my own in the pub," he added, acknowledging the strain it placed on his relationships.
Early Life and Trauma
Born in Liverpool, Morrissey grew up on a council estate in Knotty Ash after his family's terrace house was demolished. His father, Joe Morrissey, a cobbler, died when David was 15 after a long-term blood disorder. Morrissey described being in a "terrible state" after the loss and reflected on the "trauma responses" of depression and anxiety that followed. He left school at 16 and joined a theatre company in Wolverhampton, seeking independence.
Path to Sobriety
Morrissey got sober after contacting a former colleague who was in Alcoholics Anonymous. "I was in a terrible, terrible state, and I phoned him quite late... He came round my house and just sat with me. And I've not drank since that day," he recalled. However, he noted that stopping drinking did not immediately end his self-destructive behavior. "When I stopped drinking, I didn't stop being an alcoholic. My behavior was still very self-destructive for many years."
Acting as a Refuge
Morrissey credited his career with rescuing him. "When I'm in work, I feel safe," he said. He was inspired to act after watching a TV drama where a character pretended to go mad to escape, which resonated with his own feelings. "I went looking for acting, I went looking for a way out," he explained. Despite his professional success, he admitted to ongoing insecurity: "In my life, I'm less confident. I'm always looking for an exit strategy."
Morrissey's story highlights the intersection of mental health and addiction, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and finding purpose through work.
