Byron Bay hipster Mitch Gobel compares ‘freedom’ to ‘LSD’

He previously opened up about how he was on the path to sobriety after a three-year battle with alcohol and drug addiction.

But Byron Bay artist Mitch Gobel has come under fire on social media after he likened ‘freedom’ to the powerful hallucinogenic drug ‘LSD’.

Taking to Instagram, the New South Wales hipster shared a photograph of himself relaxing by a river, with his bohemian girlfriend Sally Mustang resting on a rock.

Byron Bay artist Mitch Gobel (pictured with his girlfriend Sally Mustang) has come under fire on social media after he likened ‘freedom’ to the powerful hallucinogenic drug ‘LSD’

Taking to Instagram, the hipster shared a photograph of himself relaxing in front of a river, with his stunning bohemian girlfriend Sally Mustang resting on a rock

Taking to Instagram, the hipster shared a photograph of himself relaxing in front of a river, with his stunning bohemian girlfriend Sally Mustang resting on a rock

‘Freedom is a fire. A waterhole… some LSD… and a gypsy #fearandloathinginthejungle #muchmagic #home #notsorry,’ he wrote.

But many were far from impressed, with some saying they were ‘saddened’ and ‘disappointed’ after Mr Gobel implied he may have relapsed.

‘All the tears and sadness we witnessed on your road to recovery?!’ one wrote.

Another posted: ‘I really wanted to come to your beautiful ladies retreat but if drugs are a part of your lives them [sic] no thank you.

One said: ‘I thought you had vowed sobriety???

Another posted: ‘Glamorising drugs..no thanks. See ya.’

However, Mr Gobel quickly defended himself against critics, saying: 'LSD isn't for everyone and I respect and honour that

However, Mr Gobel quickly defended himself against critics, saying: ‘LSD isn’t for everyone and I respect and honour that

The Byron Bay hipster previously opened up about his alcohol and drug addiction

The Byron Bay hipster previously opened up about his alcohol and drug addiction

Another wrote: Some LSD?.. I thought you were in the right path of sobriety?.. so basically ur [sic] spirituality is bulls***!’

And another said: ‘Disappointed that you have lost your way on your journey to to being you. Drugs just mask reality which is sometimes hideous I’ll accept. But I thought you were so much more interesting when the real you was emerging.’

However, Mr Gobel quickly defended himself against critics, saying: ‘LSD isn’t for everyone and I respect and honour that.

‘The more energy we put into resisting others, relates to the amount of energy we pour into resisting ourselves,’ he added.

‘To love our shadows is empowering, and helps us evolve as humans. Manifesting darkness will create darkness around us, just as if we see beauty, it too manifests in our lives. Love the shadows, and they will love you. #conciousnessisfreedom.’

In April, Mr Gobel told Daily Mail Australia he was struggling to overcome his addictions despite being on a path to sobriety after turning his home into a rehab

In April, Mr Gobel told Daily Mail Australia he was struggling to overcome his addictions despite being on a path to sobriety after turning his home into a rehab

In April, Mr Gobel told Daily Mail Australia he was struggling to overcome his addictions despite being on a path to sobriety after turning his home into a rehab.

‘At the height of my using, I was doing four days on drugs, sometimes five, then three or four days in bed recovering, I’d be a ghost of a human, just useless – no emotions, no energy, no love,’ he explained to FEMAIL.

‘I’d lay in bed for a few days until I felt better and then repeat the process all over again. It was the darkest time of my life, I just couldn’t get my s*** together.

‘I did that for about seven months straight and I didn’t create [art] at all while I went through this phase.’ 

Mr Gobel said his art had helped him turned his life around – and he believed by speaking publicly about his addiction would help him stay sober.

‘I’m very particular about what I put online, a lot of people have a window into my life through Instagram and I knew that by putting myself on the line like this I’d scare myself into committing to my recovery,’ he said.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk