Lucy Hale says life 'got really dark' during her struggle with alcoholism: Went to rehab at 23

Lucy Hale, known for her role in the hit TV series Pretty Little Liars, has opened up about her personal battles with alcohol and an eating disorder. In a recent episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, the 34-year-old star shared her journey, from her earliest encounter with alcohol at a young age to her path to sobriety.Lucy Hale's early struggles with alcoholLucy Hale revealed that her earliest memory of drinking was on vacation at the tender age of 12. She recounted a distressing incident where she "blacked out, threw up, and felt deeply distraught" when she realised what had happened. She said that her relationship with alcohol was far from normal, and she admitted that she used it as an escape, even during her youth.Hale discussed how her drinking and eating disorder were closely intertwined, with one often fueling the other. The actress said that her struggle with alcohol continued into her late teens, and it wasn't until her early 20s that she recognised she had a problem. She added that drinking became a constant presence in her life, and she felt uncomfortable in social situations without it.(File photo | image: Lucy Hale/Instagram)She said, "I didn't realize I had a problem until my early 20s. I went to rehab when I was 23. I don't think anyone on the show [Pretty Little Liars] knew. And it was my choice, too."However, she revealed that her turning point came during her time on Pretty Little Liars when she secretly went to rehab at the age of 23. She described this decision as a "pivotal moment" in her life.Lucy Hale opens up about the path to sobrietyLucy Hale's path to sobriety was far from straightforward, and she tried various methods, including "rehab, out-patient treatment, in-patient treatment, therapy, medication", and more. In the same interview, she stated that her initial attempts at sobriety were not successful, which is why she didn't achieve it until the age of 32.(File photo | image: Lucy Hale/Instagram)The actress shared the darker aspects of her journey, including instances where she found herself in risky situations and had to seek medical attention. She disclosed that she was "taken advantage of" in sexual encounters and had used cocaine during her struggles. "I did have moments when I had to go to the hospital. It got really dark. I was very sad. I was very scared," she added.She added that her journey to sobriety took a significant turn in 2021 when she contracted COVID-19, which forced her to stay home and receive medical treatment. She acknowledged that without the pandemic, she might not have taken this crucial step in her life. Having been sober for two years, Hale said that she now looks back at her journey with a sense of "accomplishment and pride". She said that being sober is the best thing she has ever done for herself.

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Lucy Hale says life 'got really dark' during her struggle with alcoholism: Went to rehab at 23

Lucy Hale revealed that her earliest memory of drinking was on vacation at the tender age of 12. She recalled an incident where she "blacked out and threw up."

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