Luann de Lesseps has returned to sobriety after a scary wake-up call.
During an interview with Us Weekly magazine, the “Real Housewives of New York City” cast member explained what prompted her to get sober and revealed how she felt going into production on season 13.
“When you don’t remember how you got home, that’s a wake-up call,” de Lesseps told the outlet on April 28. “It happens to a lot of people — more often than not — and people don’t want to admit it.”
Luann de Lesseps Endured Scary Times During Her Relapse
After opening up about her sobriety journey during the 12th season of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” de Lesseps began drinking again amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Looking back, de Lesseps said that at times, she would wake up unable to remember what had happened the night before.
“It’s a scary thing. When it happened to me, I said, ‘You know, that’s it,’” she admitted. “Relapse is a part of recovery and each time I get closer to being the person that I want to be, and that’s someone who is sober.
Luann de Lesseps Is Happier When She’s Sober
“I ultimately am so much happier when I don’t drink,” de Lesseps continued, adding that the longer she stays away from alcohol, the less she wants to return to drinking.
“I’m totally back on track and I feel really good. It doesn’t bother me as much as it used to, and I feel like every time, I get to a different place and it’s a better place,” she said. “I’m lucky because I was able to reel it in really quick and just get back on track.”
As “RHONY” fans will recall, de Lesseps was arrested in December 2017 for disorderly intoxication, battery, and trespassing. Then, after abstaining from alcohol as part of her probation requirements, de Lesseps admitted to relapsing in May 2019.
Luann de Lesseps Discussed Her 2019 Relapse
“Every day is a struggle and I’m no different than anyone else,” de Lesseps told Us Weekly in March 2019, following her slip-up. “I do the best that I can do. I get on the stage and that keeps me busy and it keeps me focused on my cabaret, and I get to put my creative energy into that and it keeps me out of trouble. I’m just doing yoga and taking care of myself and hanging out with less people that are prone to partying.”
Although de Lesseps’ job with Bravo requires her to interact with drinkers, one of her cast mates, Leah McSweeney, is also sober.
Luann de Lesseps Went Into Season 13 Feeling Strong
“I wanted to come into the season really strong in my sobriety. And that’s where I was really honest about it. I relapsed, but I’m back, and this is where I want to be,” de Lesseps added. “I just feel a lot stronger … with the support of the sober community.”
To see more of de Lesseps and her cast mates, tune into the upcoming 13th season of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” which begins airing on Tuesday, May 4, at 9/8c on Bravo.
