Lucy Hale Opens Up On Her Struggle With Alcohol Addiction 

Check out the full episode here! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xlYbp36HPb0.html

It's crazy how you don't know what's going on in someone's life, because they seem so put together on the outside. Lucy was always my favourite actor on PLL.

Alcohol is one of the scariest addictions because of how accessible and pushed it is in mainstream society

This gives me more motivation to get sober. 27 years old and a daily binge drinker every night for the past year. Got three days sober this past week and went back to drinking. Started sobriety again today. 🙏🙏 And if I relapse I know there is another tomorrow and I will keep on chucking forward. I will update you all soon. 💜

"The alcohol isn't the problem, it's this feeling inside of me." Could not be anymore accurate

Her story is more relatable than any other celebrity that’s talked about getting sober. I 1000% get how she felt when she said that getting so drunk to the point that felt like it was the real her; less shy, more outgoing, and all around enjoyable to be around. I’ve never heard anyone say that out loud!! I had to walk away from some people in my circle to realize that they weren’t rooting for me, the real me, they were rooting for someone that had no idea what was going on half of the time

"The alcohol isn't the problem, it's this feeling inside of me". THIS is so important. Most, if not all of addicts begin their habit to cover up or escape something. Usually something painful or traumatizing. I believe this is the aspect that we always miss when it comes to getting people help or getting them to rehab. Without therapy and a deep dive into someone's past and psyche; sobriety will often be elusive, if not impossible.

I love when celebs talk about their struggles with addiction because there's such a myth and stigma around addiction affecting only poor/average people. Addiction happens in all walks of life, to all kinds of people, and it doesn't discriminate. Really glad to see that Lucy is in recovery. She's such a smart, sweet, and talented woman and deserves sobriety.

I have never heard someone speak about alcohol in such a way that is so similar to my own experience. Thank you for being open about this, Lucy, and congrats on your sobriety!

I went to the doctor last week and told my doctor (a new doctor I'd never met before) that I was an alcoholic. The only other person who knows is my best friend. So I suppose I am high functioning - putting away a pint of vodka at night. She was shocked I'd never been hospitalized or arrested in relation to drinking. I started to cry a bit when she asked more questions - so she put her hand on my shoulder and told me it took a lot of courage to do this. I'm not sober yet - looking for a program that isn't based in religion and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I really hope I make it.

I love how she explains people think you just want to party, but in reality it's not the partying that is the problem. I understand that feeling of "how far can I go? I wanna feel more" but then waking up with hangovers is a wonderful reminder of all the internal, emotional pain that festers.

I’ve been sober for 1,802 days now

It’s so different when you’re a binge drinker because the amount of times people will say “well you’re not waking up and drinking so you’re not alcoholic” is wild and enabling. Even if you only do it once a week, if it’s ruining your life and you’re not in control it’s still addiction. If you’re doing it to numb out, it’s still addiction. It’s not normal to only be able to cope with difficult things by excessive drinking. I look back now and think about how my first thought was always “I need a drink” when things got tough and it’s so clear to me. But it took a long long time

You can just hear the 12 steps and therapy when she talks about it. Absolutely love this. Happy for her and hope this can help others

With how together she has always seemed, I’d never have guessed it. I am so glad she dealt with this and chose to share her story. She will help so many people as well as herself!

I’m 27, eat super healthy, I work out, trying to lead a lifestyle full of growth. Been an alcoholic since I was 19, hit insane rock bottoms multiple times. Even though I’m healthy and all that I still occasionally drink and my life is ruined for days from the aftermath from how extremely hard I’ll drink. Then I get up and tell myself it’s not as bad as it used to be, I live “healthy” and I only drink occasionally. No. I still know I’m an alcoholic even if it’s now just “once in awhile” and I know I need to stop forever, for good, but it is extremely hard to give up completely, no matter how much it has ruined me or hurt myself and others, it still is a hard journey. Loved hearing this vulnerability from her.

I've always liked Lucy Hale. She's so genuine and smart. She easily could have become such an egomaniac and that never happened.

Recently for the fist time told my therapist that I think I’m drinking too much, at least twice a week and usually drink “too many” I can’t never just have 1-2 drinks and be satisfied. He said it’s the beginning of an addiction, I was shocked, hopefully this can take me on a sober path.

As someone who has struggled with addiction and have a lot of people in my life trying to escape addiction, the escapism is what really pulls you in to start with. This is easily one of the best interviews I’ve seen about addiction.

My best friend of 14ish years just passed away from alcohol addiction (blood too thin, destroyed his liver). Please get help if you are at this point. Thank you Lucy for talking about this. 💜💜

3 min into this and already crying. I have been sober for only 2 weeks, some moments it's so hard to say no to myself. I hope to have the strength to continue to say no to myself, but till then I'm trying to stay out of parties, because it's so hard. yeah, been blackout drinking since 14, now I'm almost 25 and understood I need to change things, it affects my mental health so much. It's no easy to do this alone, so videos like this where people share their story helps. been trying to stay sober since 17, failed a lot of times, so I hope this time is going to be a long one.

3 years sober April 25 I'm proud to be here well done every one who has decided to stop and get help x

I didn't have a drinking problem but I did have an addiction to pain pills. It is the worst thing a human body can go through. I have been sober now for 11 years and never have I ever felt better there is absolutely no thought of ever taking a pill again. I nearly lost my husband and 3 daughters but luckily they ALL stood by me and helped day by day. Good luck to anyone trying to get clean and sober. It is so hard but when you do come out the other side it is SO INCREDIBLY worth it💞💞

This is refreshing and thank you for being vulnerable Lucy. Slightly different story for me...but in the same addiction vein...it was gambling for me. The ability for an addiction to take over your life is simply an understatement. Family has helped me with this but the shame and embarrassment that accompanies it is nauseating. I'm telling everyone out there who struggles with ANY form of addiction...I see you..I hear you and you matter. Ps I love Lucy especially as Aria in Pretty Little Liars. Looove 💜💜💜💜💜💟💟💟💟💟💟🙏

How Lucy described the way drinking made her feel, is exactly how I use to feel drinking. I thought it made me more outgoing, less in my head, more bold, more fun. I felt I needed it to be my “true self” socially. I never heard anyone ever say that! I also have ADHD so my mind is always going 100 miles per hour. Overthinking is a natural thing for me, so alcohol being a downer, calmed my brain. I’ve had so many times where I’d blackout and not remember anything! It was terrifying, and embarrassing. I sometimes would literally crave alcohol, but never really seen it as having an addiction because I didn’t drink everyday. I think that was just my denial, because when I’d drink, I couldn’t ever in moderation. It was like I had no control over it, that was the problem I over looked for so long. I’ve stopped drinking now completely, even socially and have never felt better. I found healthy ways to help with my ADHD and now I feel so in tune with myself, clear minded, present and no longer craving alcohol. I actually am repulsed by it when I pass it in the stores, I’ve come a long way! I started drinking at the young age of 13 years old and now in my late 20s I feel more free than ever. True joy, No alcohol needed. Only Jesus, prayer, facing my traumas and insecurities head on, and learning self love. 💗 but truly the biggest thing was giving it over to God, and asking him to take the desire away completely. He did just that 🙏🏼 You can have addiction even drinking socially, that’s so overlooked now in todays society. That was me, and I never thought of it that way. But now looking back, I defiantly see it. Much love. ❤it’s not easy to admit.

6 years sober this month! 🥳 I relate so much to when Lucy talks about black out drinking- it is terrifying and my last black out incident was the defining moment for me, it finally made me realise that I scared myself when I drank.

Omg I started at 20 and it took me until 33 as well. That’s crazy. I have 26 months sober

This is a beautiful way to speak on the hardest thing for a lot of people. I too have struggled. It sucks!

Can't believe I've heard someone else articulate everything I have gone through with alcohol and their thoughts on it. In a way it is comforting and validating the decision to fully quit alcohol. I thank her so much for opening up and for this entire conversation.

this isn’t a subject that i can particularly relate to, but she’s being so open and vulnerable that just makes it feel so relatable. you go, Lucy ❤

This is insane bc I am currently going thru this and I totally can relate. I needed to hear this as well as I’m sure others did. Thank you Lucy❤️🙏🏽

This resonated with me so deeply and it touches me to see how many others it resonated with too. December marked three years since I last drank. Love and strength to every person out there who is touched by this, who feels every word she's saying. ❤

You are not alone on this ms. Hale. I was addicted to hard liquor & horse tranquilizers for a long time. Took getting married to quit. Been sober for 20+ years now. I'm a former addict now. I am very proud of you. Brighter days ahead my dear. 👍🥰

wouldn’t normally sit and watch a video like this but i loved the realness of this, say through the whole thing. so proud of lucy hale!

It’s crazy we are conditioned to think that beneath beauty you can’t find pain and suffering. To think that such a talented young actress like her had to drink to feel contented is mind boggling. Kudos to you lady ❤

This was such an insightful discussion on a really challenging and difficult topic

I have always adored her as a person and thought she was such a humble and sweet person, I am so glad she’s done this for herself it is definitely a difficult road but so worth it in the end. So proud of what an amazing person she proves to be ❤

10 years sober this April. Baffles me how alcohol is legal or so easily purchased. It’s a hard core drug.

Omg what a lovely and honest women. I am so proud of her and proud of telling her story to the world!!! Wow I love you Lucy!! Thanks for sharing angel ❤️

“ I DESERVE MORE” this mantra in this case sticks so heavily with me

I hate that after she posted her one year sober on Instagram people are asking her for interviews and I hope she didn’t feel the need to share her story, a year sober is great but not a long time when it’s been a problem since you were 14, I hope she stays clean after coming out about this and I hope she takes care of herself

For me it’s shopping and eating. At some point I have to deal with the underlying issues driving this need, this desire to spend money or eat beyond fullness or eat every moment of the day. It hasn’t gotten to a point where it’s impacted my life but I know it has a hold on me and I need to let it go somehow.

Lucy is so deep as a person! I would love to see her in more movies and TV shows, especially serious ones

YOU GO GIRL! Wow. Truly a queen. And for anyone suffering in any way I’m sending my love and light.

This woman is literally speaking my exact story (down to the language I would use, the “past two drinks,”) and whew! Thank you SO much Lucy for choosing a different way AND talking about your journey because it encourages people like me who are on that path of getting sober; it de-stigmatizes why people like me just can’t drink! A hard decision to make, but thanks.

So happy for her ❤ I had no idea, so much respect

Watching this video reminds me so much of my ex-husband. It took us 5 years living together to finally recognize that he was addicted to alcohol, 3 of those years doing couple therapy. Yes binge drinking is not typically seen as addiction. Mostly when it’s a young man just trying to “have some fun on the weekends…”. Our relationship did not survive that addiction and all the heartbreak, lies and abuse that comes with it, but I wish him the best and I really hope that one day he finds what’s inside him that makes him go that route and not being able to stop. This shit destroys lives and not only the lives of those who have the addiction but also the ones around them. I know that I’ll forever be scarred and afraid of even normal drinkers. Happy for Lucy. 💛

I appreciate this. Alcoholism is RAMPANT in my family and I have to keep such a close eye on it. I love wine, but have to be immensely cautious. After a divorce last year I drank much more than I knew I should be because I was miserable and running away. I did the same thing 15 years ago when my father attempted suicide. I came to realize that beating myself up about going overboard doesn't mean progress. If I cannot enjoy a glass of wine with a dinner and stop there, then I don't get to have wine, period. Everyone is different.

I got seven years sober last August and I’m hopeful to make it to eight years, just a bit at a time tho. 🎉

This is so relatable! I feel like she’s telling my exact story word for word. Wow. Breathe-taking. Thank you so much both of you. I’ve been sober a month and am planning to stay in this happy place. ❤

I love Lucy , you're so brave and honest. I love that. You are amazing and so inspiring. Keep at it.

I don't like to drink i don't like the taste of alcohol but i love the feeling after drinking. I'm more confident and open with people, i don't have anxiety i'm happy i feel like i can do everything when i'm drunk

Can totally relate. I'm not an alcoholic but definitely have a drinking problem... drinking quiets my mind and makes me feel light and happy. Which sucks

I needed to see this. I'm about to be 31, been struggling since I was about 22. I know im killing myself by keeping this up. But I haven't figured out a way to stop. I moved back home from Washington to be around family. I thought they could help but it hasn't. I've asked to be put in a facility. But unless I do it on my own, I won't get the help I need...yet I'm failing at it everyday. Anyways. I'm so glad I could watch Lucy express herself and her story because I'm noticing a lot of similarities. Gives me some hope Pray for me yall, I'm trying to figure out my purpose and why I am still on this earth. Take care

HOLY SHIT. The way she speaks about her addiction in relation to her family, friends, carreer, and herself is a really big fuckin deal. Props to her.

I’ve known about Lucy Hale since she was on American Juniors as a little girl (I replayed her performing Blondie’s Call Me so many times). I didn’t hear about her again for years until PLL and was thrilled that she found success in her career even though I wasn’t a fan of a show. But I had no idea that she was going through an addiction all the while. 😔 So glad she’s where she needs to be now.

i relate so much to everything she says. I am 32 now trying to get sober for 3 years. this video gave me new hope and motivation. thank you for sharing.

Always thought she was intelligent. This supported my feeling. Bravo to her being very honest. People in AA can be very blunt and brutally honest. Also he’s a good interviewer. It was more like a convo/discussion about addiction.

Wow, beautifully articulated. Wish her the very best... grateful for her words & example.

This video is incredible and so eye opening. I have even more love for Lucy after watching. Thank you for your honesty and taking the power away from addiction. It is so taboo, which hurts everyone.

Wow I’m so glad she came out and spoke about this so proud of her ❤

I'm 5 days from 1yr!!!...I also choose "allergy over "disease "

I'm proud of you. My mom lost her battle with her drinking demons and addiction at the age of 52.

I'm nearly done for a year (April 1) so I know how hard it is. So I applaud Lucy for this.

It really does take time. 🖤 I used alcohol as a mask for years, and almost died multiple times. Also a binge drinker, I'd leave mid conversation to throw up, and come back with another bottle like that's why I left in the first place. It took a sink being ripped off the wall, and flooding a bathroom to finally acknowledge I had a problem.

I just heard this amazing quote for recovering alcoholics to explain their situation to people offering/ pushing a drink on them, “I’m allergic to alcohol and I will break out in handcuffs” 😂😂

100% relate to this. Thanks for being so open Lucy!

I really appreciate the number of well-known people coming forward to talk about what impact alcohol has had on them because I think everyone feels very alone when it comes to alcohol addiction. If you are trying to get sober or want to cut back on how much you drink then the book and podcast "This Naked Mind" can be life-changing. Its author Annie Grace takes a super compassionate approach. I can highly recommend!

Lucy is the best! Bravo for having dared to speak about this subject. You can be proud of you because you will help a lot of people and to make things progress.

Thank you Lucy for sharing.

I’ve been clean and sober for 1,318 days ♥️

Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Lucy Hale, they all hide their dark addiction really well, and for a long time. Well, that's just sad.

I told myself the same thing when smoking weed. I realized i had a problem when i said that and quit. It was very hard the rage i had for like 2 weeks.

Wow we are so much alike! Drinking patterns etc are the same. I'm 33 I was struggling for 10 years I am over a year sober as well thanks to AA congratulations we do recover.

31 years sober was a blackout drinker can't remember years now much better happier and stable keep stepping it works

I like the mind quietening effects of alcohol. A lot.

i see so much of myself in her and it gives me hope and reminds me i’m not a shitty person and i am not my habits

I love this girl thanks for sharing something personal like this with everyone

January 2nd 2022 is the same day I got sober and I have been ever since and never looked back. I totally understand the "it quiets my mind" feeling. It's so difficult to describe the perpetual state of sadness and utter worthlessness that comes with it. It's a bit like having a caravan in Skegness; I never want to go back.

Our sober dates are very close! Dec 25th, 2021 for me. Unfortunately it took me until I was 43... One day at a time.

When we are in our addictions we think we can set rules for ourselves (I won’t drink around this person I wont put my self in that situation I won’t- whatever it is) and be fine. But addiction doesn’t follow rules. And that’s what got ME sober twice. I was a solo binge drinker for a long time and always told myself I just won’t drink that much around other people. Broke that rule at my college graduation party. That realization of that broken rule got me sober for a few months in 2021. Then I ramped back up in 2022 and my next rule was don’t do this at mom’s. May 31st 2022 something snapped and I broke THAT rule. Been sober since. Almost a year sober now. And I’m like Lucy explained I would try to moderately do it and it would get out of hand and I learned to just say away from it.

I can relate to alot of what she's saying. When you're in high school & ESPECIALLY when we turn 21 we justify drinking because we have the time or freedom & resources to pass the time for fun & having the goal of getting hammered. the more life is lived, quality over quantity is learned.

I'm coming up to a solid year of absolutely no drinking and I'm really happy with how much better I feel.

wow! so spot on i have been struggling with alcool its new for me and listining to Lucy speak about this just help me so much more in understanding whats happening with myself! thank you all for being lights in this world sharing ur experience and showing me its possible to change and thriiive! with much peace n love😇🌍🌞🌈❤️✊🏿✨

Thank you for sharing your experience

Very proud of you Lucy. ❤

One of the best interviews I’ve ever seen

so crazy when she described it as an allergy to alcohol. that’s EXACTLY how I feel about my own body/drinking

Thank you for letting her talk

Ugh was sober 4 yrs and fell off. Day 1 again. Its not worth it. Everything she said was spot on

I adore you Lucy!! Thank you for being so open and honest. You are correct with everything that you’re saying here and I applaud you

I seem to remember that there was a time during PLL where there was a rumor that she didn't get along with the other girls or there was a feud or something and I wonder if any of it was caused from her addiction, if there was any truth to the rumors and even though she says it never got in the way of her work. So proud of her nonetheless, it's a major milestone for anyone to overcome.

You didn't need the alcohol, you are amazing and perfect in truth!!! Omg! 🥺💜

The way she was speaking so easily on something as vulnerable as this, in a nurturing way, even - paired with her mention of how taboo the topic typically is.. I just had to check her birth chart for Scorpio placements & sure enough. That’s an evolved Scorpio Moon, right there 🥲

Omg she is the first person who really described me . Finally. Everyone else says they had abuse /sexual abuse (i never did) its like honestly i have a mental addiction . U feel more talkative social when it drink and forget about worries. ….

I’m struggling and I hate this feeling, freedom is sobriety

I’m struggling with alcohol atm. Before I got pregnant it was bad, and I did good at hiding it. After pregnancy I am picking it up again and it’s not as bad but is a problem and I’m in so much pain idk what to do

Alcohol is an extremely addictive drug that is so powerful it actually changes the brain’s thinking pattern and internal reward system to crave it (like cocaine does) and is also a carcinogenic toxin….so gaslighting “addicts” saying that addiction is solely down to the individual’s circumstances and not the drug itself is unfortunate. Most people who drink alcohol are functional addicts that often drink more than expected and wouldn’t be able to stop drinking if they tried or needed to, the “drinking one glass and being able to stop” is in reality very rare.

This is me too. Blackout instantly but somehow wants more. It's nuts.

Thanks, and thanks for opening with “it takes time”