Actor David Morrissey has shared how intense social anxiety led him to struggle with alcoholism. During an appearance on Desert Island Discs with host Lauren Laverne, the 61-year-old actor discussed the events that shaped his life and the moment that led to his sobriety 21 years ago.

Morrissey is widely recognized for his roles in acclaimed productions such as Sherwood, The Walking Dead, and the comedy series Daddy Issues with Aimee Lou Wood.

The Impact of Family Loss

The actor's struggles were deeply connected to the death of his father, Joe. When Morrissey was 15, Joe passed away at their Liverpool home at the age of 54 following a burst ulcer.

The father of three expressed regret that the illness prevented them from having an adult relationship. He also noted that he failed to support his mother, observing that she seemed "drained of everything, of any vitality" during her grief.

Finding Refuge in the Theatre

Theatre provided a sense of escape during his most difficult times. Morrissey attended evening workshops at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre on both the day his father died and the day of the funeral.

His interest in acting was inspired by the 1970s drama Colditz. After watching a character pretend to be mad to escape captivity, Morrissey said, "That troubled me... I identified with him, his situation; and that thing that bubbled up inside me, I wanted to find out how to control it or understand it."

He explained that he "went looking for acting, I went looking for a way out," eventually finding it at the Everyman Youth Theatre. He left home at 16 to join a touring theatre company, noting that he feels safe when he is working.

The Journey to Sobriety

Morrissey explained that he initially used alcohol to manage his social anxiety. He stated, "I had this terrible social anxiety and that helped me get through it... But later on I couldn't stop. I was on my own in the pub. That was really hard, and very hard for my ex-wife and people around me."

His life changed 21 years ago when he made a late-night call to a former colleague who was in AA. The colleague came to his house and sat with him, and Morrissey has not drank since that day.

Ongoing Struggles with Self-Destruction

Despite his sobriety, Morrissey admitted that he continued to struggle with self-destructive behavior for many years. "When I stopped drinking, I didn't stop being an alcoholic," he remarked.

He noted that he often finds himself looking for an "exit strategy" in various situations. He also reflected on how a lack of confidence and telling himself he "wasn't enough" contributed to his alcoholism.