Paris Jackson Reflects on 'Very Hard' 6-Year Sobriety Journey: 'I Had to Learn to Live Life on Life's Terms'

Paris Jackson is sharing a glimpse into her life.

via: People

The singer-songwriter and only daughter of Michael Jackson opened up about her journey staying sober in an Instagram Reel on Sunday, Jan. 4 and offered words of support to others who might be grappling with addiction or mental health conditions. Jackson — who will celebrate six years of sobriety from alcohol and heroin on Jan. 7 — has been candid about the realities of the journey and shared glimpses into her own experience.

In the Reel, the 27-year-old compiled a series of clips from her day-to-day life, from spending time with friends and going on nature hikes to driving with the windows down and experiencing quiet moments alone.

"getting sober ain’t always the indication that life is perfect," Jackson began in the post's caption. "a few years in it all got very very hard. for what felt like an eternity. and i didn’t have the same survival skills i was used to having to cope. i had to learn to live life on life's terms."

She continued, "treatment resistant major depressive disorder is a bitch. so is CPSTD. and OCD. if you’ve got this s---, or anything of the sort, you’re not alone. hang in there and if no one’s told you they love you today, i love you."

Jackson is no stranger to speaking on the harsh realities of both drug use and the decision to get sober. The actress likened choosing sobriety to "getting into a car accident" while speaking at the Friendly House Awards Luncheon on Oct. 11, 2025.

“I say it's funny, I feel like getting sober was kind of like getting into a car accident because everything I shoved in the back seat moved forward on impact and today I'm learning to navigate life on life's terms," Jackson said at the event for Friendly House, which helps rehabilitate women healing from trauma and addiction by offering community and a sober living space.

She added, “I didn't just get my life back. I got a better one."

Jackson celebrated her fifth year of sobriety on Jan. 7, 2025, and shared video clips from her journey in an Instagram Reel. The video started with snippets of drug and alcohol use from before she decided to get sober, then transitioned to a compilation of all the AA chips she's earned over the years. The clip then cut to more recent, happy moments, in which Jackson danced, laughed and made music with loved ones.

"gratitude hardly scratches the surface," she wrote in the caption. "it’s because i’m sober that i get to smile today. i get to make music. i get to experience the joy of loving my dogs and cat. i get to feel heartbreak in all it’s glory. i get to grieve. i get to laugh. i get to dance. i get to trust. i feel the sun on my skin and it’s warm. i’ve found that life keeps happening regardless of whether i’m sober or not, but today i get to show up for it."