Rob Lowe marks son John Owen’s five year sobriety with chip live on air

In a touching segment, actor Rob Lowe marked his son's five year sobriety with a chip live on a US chat show.

A lot of us can't even begin to imagine what it is like to suffer from an addiction, but those that do will often find comfort and the ability to open up about it after hearing others speak up.

Celebrities certainly play a huge role in this as they are looked up to by a lot of people in society.

And this segment on The Drew Barrymore Show on Thursday (6 April) was a rather important one, as it shed some light on sobriety journeys.

Host Barrymore discussed her own journey with alcohol alongside guests Rob Lowe and his son John Owen Lowe.

She admitted that her two daughters, Olive, 10, and Frankie, 8, understand that she cannot drink alcohol.

Youtube/The Drew Barrymore Show

"They support me through my pitfalls," Barrymore said of her daughters.

"And you guys are an incredible family unit that supports each other through every high and low, everything."

The honest confession from Barrymore led to Rob opening up about his own journey with alcohol and how he is now 33 years sober, while also touching on his son's relationship with alcohol.

"We do, and to be able to share recovery — you’re in recovery, I’m in recovery — I’ve got 33 years in recovery … Johnny’s got five years," Rob said.

Rob then pulled out a chip from his pocket to mark his son's sobriety anniversary, which led to an emotional exchange between the pair and the crowd cheering in response.

"In fact, Johnny’s five-year birthday was on Saturday, and Johnny I want to give you your five-year chip," Rob said.

"I love you. I’m proud of you," he told his son.

Responding to the gift, John said: "I’m speechless. I usually have a witty retort. I don’t have one for that. That was very nice of you."

Youtube/The Drew Barrymore Show

Rob has certainly been open surrounding his journey of ditching alcohol in the past, telling Variety how he embraced sobriety in order to become the person he always wanted to be.

"Nothing can make you get sober except you wanting to do it," he said.

"The threat of losing a marriage, losing a job, incarceration — you name the threat, it will not be enough to do it. It’s got to be in you.

"One of the great gifts of recovery is that you start living your authentic life. You start living your actual values and living as who you truly are."