Nikki Sixx Shares How His Continued Sobriety Gives Him a 'Clear Vision' About What's Important: 'Giving Back' (Exclusive)

The Mötley Crüe bassist, who turned 65 on Monday, has been sober for 22 years

Nikki Sixx has come a long way in his sobriety and has a "clear vision" of what he wants for the future: to continue making a difference.

The husband and father of five, who rose to fame in the 1980s with the legendary rock band Mötley Crüe, spoke with PEOPLE on his 65th birthday.

Describing his current mindset, Sixx says he is just as focused on "ramp[ing] up the charitable side as much as the creative side," noting that he's "lucky to still be here."

"And being sober probably helps with all that because you can have a clear vision and guide yourself a little bit better," Sixx adds.

For the multi-talented artist — who celebrated 22 years of sobriety in July — that means giving back.

Related: Nikki Sixx Reflects on Turning 65, Shares About His Peaceful Life in Jackson Hole: 'I'm Very Grateful' (Exclusive)

"I was very fortunate with The Heroin Diaries book to be able to raise millions of dollars for [the nonprofit] Covenant House to help bring a music program to them," the best-selling author says, referring to his rock 'n roll memoir. "And that's something that's a bigger initiative in my life as we go along."

Sixx continues to support various charitable programs and says he is "trying to give back on all different levels," from kids in need to people with diabilities.

"My sister was born with Down syndrome and she wasn't supposed to live past six months," he said of his younger sibling Lisa. "She did — she lived to be 40."

In honor of Lisa, Sixx has publicly supported Mattel's creation of a Barbie doll with Down syndrome.

"This is amazing. As some of you know my sister Lisa was born with Down. ♥️♥️♥️," Sixx wrote on Instagram in April, sharing news of the doll's release.

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He and his wife Courtney Sixx have befriended many locals in the town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they live much of the year, including a man with Down syndrome named Tim McLaurin.

Affectionately known as "Jackson's Biggest Rockstar," McLaurin is a big fan of Sixx, who has invited him to family parties and taken McLaurin on joy rides in his sports car.

In 2021, Sixx collaborated with McLaurin to release a Crüe-inspired, "Jackson's Biggest Rockstar" t-shirt, with all proceeds going to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.

Another local friend of the Sixx family, Bryan Kirkpatrick, says that he first met Nikki and Courtney while delivering goods to their home during COVID. "They changed my life," he told PEOPLE, "just from being valued."

Elsewhere in Monday's interview with PEOPLE, Sixx explains how much he enjoys being surrounded by the mountains.

"We always love being up in Jackson. It just really clears our head and allows us to reset," says Sixx, who spent the weekend supporting the inaugural Jackson Hole International Film Festival (JHIFF) as a founding board member with his wife, who welcomed festival goers with her DIY Bouquet Box Floral Bar.

"We spend a lot of time outside. I mean, the whole point of being here is to really be outside whether you're into skiing or fishing or hiking or being up on the lakes or snowmobiling. And it's very social here, so it's fantastic for us. And we always come up here and even today on my birthday, it's like I wake up and I'm like, "I can't think of a place I'd rather be.' "

"And to be able to still be creative at 65 and have a wonderful family and surrounded by good friends. I'm very grateful."

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