Cape Town Actor Milton Schorr Shares Candid Memoir of Heroin Addiction and Recovery in “Addict”

Cape Town, South Africa - August 11, 2025 / Milton Schorr /

Milton Schorr: A Cape Town Voice for Drug Addiction Recovery

A Memoir of Courage, Hope, and the Long Road Back

Cape Town, 14 July 2025 – Milton Schorr, acclaimed actor, writer and advocate, has released a bold and unflinching memoir titled Addict, a powerful account of his descent into substance dependence and his journey through drug addiction recovery. Set largely in Cape Town, the book explores not only the pain of addiction but the resilience required to build a new life from the wreckage.

Milton Schorr: A Cape Town Voice for Drug Addiction Recovery

Drug Addiction Recovery Through the Eyes of Experience

For Milton Schorr, drug addiction recovery is not a concept—it’s a lived reality. His journey began in the suburbs of Cape Town, where he first experimented with drugs at the age of 13. By the time he was 17, he was a heroin addict, and the years that followed were marked by chaos, near-death experiences, and desperate attempts to survive.

At the center of Addict is one haunting moment: Schorr, alone in a flat in Cape Town, kneeling on the floor, a needle in his arm. In hindsight, This moment would come to define not only the depth of his addiction but the beginning of a slow, painful, and ultimately hopeful rise to sobriety.

A City of Contrasts: Where Descent and Redemption Intersect

Cape Town plays a vital role in Addict. It is more than a setting—it is both the battlefield and the sanctuary. The city’s beauty, violence, cultural richness and economic inequality are reflected in Schorr’s narrative. From the dark corners of drug dens to the tranquility of Cape Town’s wider natural landscapes, the city becomes a mirror of addiction and recovery itself: harsh, unpredictable, but capable of surprising beauty.

A Reflection of South Africa’s Broader Addiction Landscape

South Africa, and Cape Town in particular, faces a growing crisis of substance abuse. Heroin, methamphetamine (tik), and alcohol are prevalent, and access to long-term rehabilitation is limited for many. Schorr’s experience brings urgency to the national conversation: the recovery of drug addiction in Cape Town is not a distant issue. It affects families, communities, and individuals across all backgrounds.

Six Pillars of Recovery: Lessons from Addict

1. The Power of Information

Schorr’s first lesson is simple but powerful: understanding addiction is the first step to conquering it. In Addict, he describes how learning about the disease of addiction—its biological, psychological and social roots—helped him move away from denial and into ownership.

He writes about the importance of seeing addiction as an illness, not a failure. This realization was crucial in shifting his mindset from shame to self-awareness, laying the foundation for sustainable recovery.

2. The Importance of Fellowship

Addiction thrives in isolation. For Schorr, connecting with others was essential. He found healing in support groups, spiritual guidance, and 12-step communities, which gave him a sense of belonging and accountability. Drug addiction recovery, he argues, cannot be walked alone.

3. The Process of Self-Discovery

Quitting drugs was only the beginning. What followed was a long process of unravelling the emotional wounds and distorted beliefs that had led him to drugs in the first place. Through therapy, journaling and mentorship, Schorr began the journey of discovering who he truly was without the numbing effects of heroin.

4. Healing from Trauma

Unresolved trauma, Schorr says, is one of the most common and destructive triggers for addiction. In Addict, he shares painful memories from childhood and adolescence that fueled his early drug use. Only by confronting these traumas directly—through therapy and deep inner work—was he able to find peace.

5. Finding Purpose in Sobriety

Once the chaos of addiction ended, Schorr faced another challenge: rebuilding a life that was worth staying sober for. Purpose became his new addiction. He channeled his energy into acting, writing, and becoming a father. Recovery became more than just not using—it became about living well.

6. Giving Back

Helping others is the final and ongoing pillar of Schorr’s recovery. By sharing his story, offering resources, and speaking publicly, he turns his past into a tool for transformation. His journey from self-destruction to service is a guiding light for those still struggling.

From Chaos to Craft: Rebuilding a Life Through Creativity

Citing as a Path to Healing

Milton Schorr is known for roles in internationally acclaimed films and series, including Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Outlander, Tomb Raider, Redeeming Love, and Netflix’s One Piece. But his success as an actor is not separate from his recovery—it is a direct result of it.

Sobriety gave him clarity, focus and emotional range. Acting became both a career and a therapeutic process, allowing him to explore identity, emotion and story in a way that drugs once blocked. His performances are fueled by real emotion, drawn from years of pain, healing and reflection.

A Writer with Something to Say

Schorr’s talent as a storyteller extends beyond the screen. His debut novel, Strange Fish, won Best Novel at the 2021 South African Independent Publisher Awards. His writing is characterized by its emotional depth, clarity of voice, and honesty—traits honed during years of journaling and recovery work.

Addict is his most personal work yet, but it is not the end of his literary journey. He continues to write about addiction, identity, masculinity and healing, contributing regularly to blogs, podcasts and media outlets across South Africa.

Ddemystifying Drug Addiction for the Public

What Causes Addiction?

In his writings and interviews, Schorr breaks down the causes of addiction in plain, relatable terms. He identifies five core factors: genetic predisposition, the experience of a “hole in the soul,” unresolved trauma, the chemical impact of drugs, and the illusion of relief.

By explaining addiction this way, he removes the moral judgment and replaces it with compassion and clarity. He reminds readers that addiction doesn’t begin with bad decisions—it begins with pain.

What Is Recovery Really Like?

Recovery is not a straight line. Schorr speaks openly about relapse, doubt, grief and frustration. He describes the early days of sobriety as some of the most painful—full of shame, withdrawal and overwhelming emotion. But he also celebrates the small victories: making it through one day, one week, one year.

He compares drug addiction recovery to a rebirth. The person who emerges is not the same person who went in. They are often wiser, softer, stronger. But it takes daily work, commitment and community.

A Message for Families Affected by Addiction

Milton Schorr’s story also resonates deeply with families and loved ones of those battling addiction. In Addict, he acknowledges the confusion, grief and helplessness families often experience. He urges them not to take the addict’s destructive actions personally, reminding them that addiction hijacks the brain and emotions. His message is simple but powerful: healing is possible, and support makes a difference. Families can be part of the recovery story, but it is a hard road, and dependent on the addict themself taking accountability for their actions. This compassionate perspective brings hope to countless households across Cape Town and beyond.

More Than a Book: A Movement

Addict is already gaining traction as a national and international resource. Reviews describe it as “raw, honest and inspiring.” It has reached readers across South Africa and beyond, finding its way into recovery centers, clinics, support groups and families affected by addiction.

But for Schorr, the book is just the beginning. He uses it as a springboard for deeper conversations: school talks, rehab visits, media interviews, and workshops on recovery drug addiction. His voice is not only that of a survivor, but of a teacher and guide.

Aavailable Worldwide

Addict is available in paperback and Kindle formats and is being promoted by leading publishers in South Africa. Audiobook versions will be available soon, for those who prefer to listen. It has found readers in Cape Town, Johannesburg, London, New York and beyond.

His official website also offers signed copies, exclusive bonus content, and a growing library of articles on addiction and recovery. Schorr’s goal is to build a lasting resource hub—not just sell a story.

Giving a Face to Recovery in South Africa

Milton Schorr’s public presence is helping to change how drug addiction is viewed in Cape Town and South Africa as a whole. In interviews and on social media, he speaks openly about the realities of heroin addiction, the long path to recovery, and the role of community in healing.

He speaks not as an outsider or an expert from above, but as someone who lived it. His Cape Town accent, street knowledge and raw honesty make him relatable to people who might otherwise feel unreachable.

Building Partnerships for Change

Schorr works with schools, NGOs, and treatment centres. He believes that storytelling—whether through books, theatre or conversation—can save lives.

By partnering with local organizations, he is helping to create pathways for addicts to tell their own stories, find their voice and build new identities beyond their past.

A Beacon for the Future

Now a father, Schorr sees his recovery through the lens of legacy. He doesn’t position himself as a guru or hero but as a man still on the journey. His humility is part of what makes his work powerful.

He often says: “You can’t save anyone, but you can walk with them.” This walking-with model is what defines his approach to advocacy. He offers solidarity, not solutions; presence, not perfection.

Plans for 2025 and Beyond

Milton Schorr is currently developing a new memoir that explores the challenges of recovery after sobriety. He is currently travelling the country, offering talks on Addict and his experiences.

Why Addict Matters

Addict is not just a Cape Town story. It is a human story. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt broken, lost or ashamed. It challenges the stigma of addiction, shines a light on recovery, and calls us all to greater compassion.

For individuals struggling with drugs, families affected by addiction, or professionals working in recovery services, Addict is essential reading. It offers not just insight—but hope.

Recovery Is Possible

Milton Schorr stands as proof that drug addiction recovery is possible—and that it can lead to a life of meaning, creativity and service. His story does not end in tragedy. It ends in transformation.

And in telling it, he invites others to do the same.