Sobriety may be trending online, but for model and influencer Forrest Smith, it’s been a deeply personal and non-linear journey years in the making. In a candid and emotional video, the OnlyFans star opens up about addiction, relapse, and the difficult road to rebuilding a life without substances, offering a raw perspective that resonates far beyond social media trends.

Forrest Smith Admits She ‘Didn’t Stay Sober’ After Recovery Attempt

Smith begins by addressing a reality that many people don’t talk about enough: relapse. After first getting sober at 25, she admits that she didn’t stay sober, and that’s part of the process.

Rather than framing relapse as failure, she emphasizes that it’s a common and even expected part of recovery. The real challenge, she explains, is finding the strength to start again. Her honesty strips away the pressure of perfection and replaces it with something more realistic: persistence.

Smith Reveals Prescription Pills Became A Crutch

One of the most striking parts of Smith’s story is how her addiction began. Prescribed anti-anxiety medication, specifically benzodiazepines, at a young age, she gradually became dependent on them over time.

What initially started as legitimate medical treatment slowly evolved into something much heavier. Smith explained that the medication eventually became tied to nearly every part of her daily routine, from social situations to traveling and even basic interactions, leaving her feeling unable to function without it.

Like many people who struggle with long-term benzodiazepine use, the dependency wasn’t always obvious at first. Because the medication had been prescribed by a doctor, the line between treatment and addiction became increasingly blurred over the years. Eventually, her body and mind began relying on the pills not just for anxiety relief, but for a sense of normalcy.

What began as medical treatment slowly became a crutch for everyday life. From social outings to travel, she relied on pills to function, never learning how to cope with anxiety naturally. This long-term dependency made quitting especially difficult and emotionally complex.

Forrest Smith Says Rehab Finally Gave Her The Tools To Break Free From Addiction

For Smith, sobriety didn’t fully take hold until she entered rehab. While she acknowledges that rehab isn’t necessary for everyone, she makes it clear that in her case, it was essential, especially given the intensity of benzo withdrawal.

Rehab forced her to confront her emotions head-on. It was there that Smith began learning healthier coping mechanisms, like sitting with discomfort and allowing anxiety to pass naturally instead of suppressing it. Though she describes the experience as “rough,” it ultimately gave her the tools she had been missing for years.

Changing Relationships And Letting Go

Sobriety didn’t just change Smith internally; it reshaped her relationships. Growing up with an alcoholic father who normalized substance use made her journey even harder.

After getting sober, Smith found herself distancing from that dynamic. She admits their relationship is no longer strong, highlighting one of the more painful truths of recovery: sometimes, growth requires separation.

Instead, she built a new circle, people who either drink responsibly or don’t drink at all. These relationships, she says, feel more authentic and supportive.

Forrest Smith Says Sobriety Made Her Life Fuller, Clearer, And More Real

Perhaps the most surprising realization Smith shares is that life without substances isn’t boring, it’s better. At first, she struggled to imagine having fun without alcohol or drugs, but over time, that perspective shifted.

Smith now surrounds herself with people who have been sober for years and describes them as some of the most engaging and genuine individuals she knows. Their ability to live fully without substances became proof that sobriety doesn’t limit life; it enhances it.

Smith’s message is ultimately one of encouragement. Sobriety is difficult, messy, and deeply personal, but it’s also worth it. For anyone struggling, her advice is simple: try. Push through the discomfort. Because on the other side, she promises, life feels fuller, clearer, and more real than ever before.

For anyone struggling with addiction or substance abuse, help is available through treatment programs, mental health professionals, and organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which offers free and confidential support through its national helpline.