Sobriety & Life: A Celebrity’s Experience

Alcohol consumption is widely acceptable, legal to purchase for those 21-years and older, and is part of many social events both personally and professionally. However, excessive consumption can be harmful to one’s health and dangerous to others should an individual operate a motor vehicle while under the influence. And those individuals who are battling an alcohol use disorder, usually need help through treatment care in order to reach long-term sobriety.

Substance Use, Second Chances, Sobriety

Joy Sutton, host of American Addiction Centers’ (AAC’s) talk show, Addiction Talk, interviewed Jillian Barberie (left)—former co-host of Good Day L.A. and former sportscaster at Fox Sports. She’s even acted on hit TV shows and movies, such as Yes, Dear, Melrose Place, V.I.P, and Sharknado.

And while her accomplishments are tremendous and noteworthy, Jillian shares her past struggles with alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder so authentically. She takes you along her tumultuous journey towards her current life in recovery. The road hasn’t been perfect, and it still isn’t, but she remains sober and is doing her personal best each day!

Be sure to listen to Jillian in this episode entitled: “The Sobering Truth: A Broadcaster’s Wake Up Call.” In this interview, she discusses the tribulations and obstacles of addiction, as well as the renewed commitment to her sobriety.

Humble Beginnings, Celebrity, & Sober Endings

Jillian Barberie played many roles in front of the camera. All of those positions may have “sparkled on TV,” a reference she uses for how the public may view her life on the surface; but the truth underneath can be a lot less shiny.

“My career was awesome. I had a great time on that morning show. I got to act. I got to be in movies and in sitcoms. But one of the things that people don’t realize is that everyone’s got ‘stuff.’ And we deal with it in different ways.”

The sober celebrity gets vulnerable and opens up about having been molested as a child, how she drank as a teen, but didn’t start drinking heavily until much later in life. And then she faced the obstacles of two divorces, breast cancer, and owing a substantial amount of money to the IRS as an adult. Relationship, health, and money issues can drive many to the brink of despair.

Not many could work through those challenges and come out the other end sober and empowered. These are the things that aren’t so shiny. Those things underneath the surface. But Jillian’s story is one of empowerment.

“I was a normal drinker. I was a civilized drinker. I would go to dinner with friends,”explaining her old mindset and memories in Montreal. “Then I got a job in Miami and maybe I would drink a little more out in public. And I never drank alone. That [drinking alone] happened when I went to L.A. And it had nothing to do with the industry.”

Although many celebrities in Hollywood battle alcohol or substance use disorder, Jillian doesn’t blame the industry from which she created her successful career.

To learn more about Jillian Barberie and her sobriety journey, please watch this episode of Addiction Talk. And if you find yourself battling with alcohol use disorder, please reach out for the help that you need today.

*Some of the wording from the interview was edited for clarity.