Ulrika Jonsson, a former Gladiators host, celebrated her year of sobriety this week by reminiscing about her incredible accomplishments and what led to her first drinking.
Ulrika Jonsson has reflected on the reasons she turned to alcohol as she marked one year of sobriety. The former Gladiators star revealed last year that she had been dealing with a secret drink problem, with concerned friends and family supporting her.
She celebrated her 12-months of sobriety and reflected on what led to her becoming ill after leaving the beverage. The 57-year-old actress previously described her drinking issues and how she would “black out and not recall the night.”
She also acknowledged that drinking alcohol gave her a break from being anxious. She previously admitted, “I drank to kill my fears and feelings of anxiety.”
When her friends tried to talk to her but she was unable to understand, the mother-of-four Ulrika would occasionally drink until she drank out. She acknowledged that she would have no memory of the previous night when she would awaken.
Writing in The Sun, Ulrika said that on June 5 last year, she was hungover and realised she couldn’t continue drinking to the extent she was. She admitted she needed help, and text one of her friends, who had been on their own sobriety journey: “I can’t do this any more.”
She continued, “It was a hangover day, really, like any other day. Something caused me to reach out for help while I sat on the sofa, my liver and brain both picked up in equal measure, and I was covered in shame.
She suffered from mental illness despite still having a career, having close family, and having good friends. Nothing can compare to falling to your knees at 11am and sticking your lips around a bottle of 40% alcohol, feeling it instantly give your throat a break and instantly letting go of your anxiety, fears, and self-loathing, Ulrika heartbreakingly said.
“Alcoholics come in all shapes and sizes, and many live among us in plain sight,” Ulrika said. She acknowledged that her family has a history of alcoholism, which could indicate a predisposition.
Marking her sobriety anniversary this week, she took to her Instagram page. Ulrika shared a before-and-after snap of her journey and how different she looks since kicking the drink.
She posed for a selfie in her home’s kitchen while wearing a pair of large glasses while wearing a glowing Ulrika pose while “Sober.” In her bathroom, she posed for a glassy-eyed selfie after spending the night on the tiles while her second image showed a “drunk” Ulrika.
Ulrika wrote in response to her post, “Today I’m marking one year of sobriety.” No medals, trophys, or fanfare. The journey continues. Thank you to all the lovely people who have praised me, understood me, cuddled me up, and handled me without judgement, shoved me in the right direction, made me laugh, and helped me overcome my crippling shame.
“Thank you to my kids for their support; for having faith in me after I must have worried them so. For close friends for their patience and belief. My sobriety will continue to be my priority. Turns out it IS possible to teach old dogs new tricks.”
After having a sincere conversation with a friend, Ulrika decided to become sober. She admitted that she called me one Saturday morning after talking to me the night before and finding it difficult to understand what I had said.
She referred to me as in need of assistance. I was aware that it was a source of love. I would have wanted a drink because of the sense of shame. Not at that time, though. Instead, I sobbed as a young person who desperately needed a hold. I had a lot of hope.
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Source: Mirror
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