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The ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star said she learned she could be “fun without alcohol” and shared her favorite non-alcoholic beverages
NEED TO KNOW
- Kyle Richards marked four years of sobriety, sharing how quitting alcohol improved her mental and physical well-being
- She revealed she faced social pressure to drink but found confidence in being “fun without alcohol”
- Richards offered tips for navigating social events sober, including non-alcoholic drink options to avoid questions
Kyle Richards says that she didn’t expect to make it four years without a drink, but shared that she’s learned she could be “fun without alcohol.“
“This past week marked 4 years since I gave up alcohol. I’ve talked about my reasons why I made that decision,” the The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 57, shared in an Instagram post on July 20. She’s previously shared that alcohol “was no longer serving me physically, mentally or spiritually.”
In her new update, Richards shared more details about her decision to quit, explaining, “I wanted to look and feel better during a time where I didn’t feel my best both physically or mentally & didn’t feel like I could afford any bad days. People loved when I drank. I was fun! That meant people didn’t love when I stopped. But I didn’t let that deter me.”
She shared that she learned “I could still be fun without alcohol and feel a lot happier the next day. I quickly learned that the people who had an issue with my choice were more concerned about how it made them feel about themselves.”
Quitting alcohol, she wrote, had some surprising effects on her mental and emotional state. “What I wasn’t expecting was a calmer Kyle in spite of going through very challenging times,” Richards, who split from her husband of 27 years, Mauricio Umansky, in 2023. As she explained, “Something shifts in you even if you aren’t a big drinker. Things that would normally make me feel anxious, I now faced with an unfamiliar calmness. Looking healthier was just a bonus. For me, it’s been all upside.”
Richards went on to offer advice to others who may have been in the same boat — specifically those who feel pressure to drink socially. “I know it’s not easy for everyone but if it’s something you’re considering don’t be discouraged by people that want you to drink for their entertainment. Even well meaning friends,” she said. “I have plenty of friends who have no desire to give up alcohol. I totally respect that and they respect me.”
“For me, I focused on how good I felt and that was more important to me than having fun for a few hours at a party followed by ‘alcohol doom’ the next day,” she shared.
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Richards also offered some advice for people who want to know what to drink socially in lieu of alcohol, admitting, “water can be boring at a party I’m not going to lie.”
“I opt for a low sugar non alcoholic sparkling wine, non alcoholic beer and seldomly a mocktail (because I TRY to limit my sugar),” she said. “Having my non alcoholic sparkling wine in a wine glass limits questions about why you’re not drinking and makes you feel like you’re not missing out. I wish more restaurants carried it!”
She ended with a reflection on her journey: “I didn’t think I’d be here 4 years later sharing that I still haven’t drank. But I’m happy and proud that I can say that. 🙏 #alcoholfree“
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Read the original article on People
