Holly Carpenter Opens Up About Her Decision To Go Sober: "The Best Decision I've Ever Made"

Holly Carpenter has shared the reason why she’s gone sober in an emotional video uploaded to Instagram on Thursday evening. With October 10 marking World Mental Health Day, former Miss Ireland Holly revealed she hasn’t had alcohol for over a year due to the ‘negative impact’ it had on her life. Admitting she was ‘really nervous’ to share her experience, Holly revealed that she feels ‘ready to share this decision’ with her 98,000 followers on the social media platform.

She said that she has been on a ‘sober path’ for over a year, following a night of heavy drinking where she blacked out. ‘On the third of September 2023 I woke up extremely hungover, and my anxiety was through the roof. I had drank so much the night before that I blacked out. I remember I woke up with the all too familiar feelings of self hatred and shame and just severe, severe anxiety,’ she said.

‘It hasn’t always been an easy road but it’s true when they say that nothing in life worth having comes easy. Having said that, the love & support from Jamie & my friends & family helped me so much.

I don’t have a crystal ball I can look into and confirm for certain that I will never drink again – but with my improved sense of self worth, mental clarity & happiness I know this is the best move for me. For anyone who can relate to my video just know that things can get so much better & you’re not alone #worldmentalhealthday #sober #sobercurious,’ she wrote in the post’s caption.

Holly Carpenter’s journey to sobriety

Holly said that she felt ‘extremely anxious’ the morning after drinking, and realized that she had a problem with alcohol. She said, ‘I woke up extremely hungover, and my anxiety was through the roof.’

‘I had drank so much the night before that I blacked out. I remember I woke up with the all too familiar feelings of self hatred and shame and just severe, severe anxiety,’ she said.

Holly was determined to make a change in her life and decided to quit drinking alcohol. She said that it was the ‘best decision’ she’s ever made, and that she feels much better now that she’s sober.

Impact of alcohol on mental health

Holly said that she realized that alcohol was having a negative impact on her mental health, and that she was tired of feeling ‘hungover and anxious.’ She said that she was also tired of ‘blacking out’ and feeling ashamed of herself.

‘I’m never gonna come on here and be someone who is preaching about alcohol being the devil and everyone needs to quit. This is just my own personal bit of news that I really wanted to share with you guys,’ she said.

‘We all deserve to feel good about ourselves, as much as I was very nervous to make and share this video. If there’s even one person watching this who can relate to me and feel understood and seen and less alone, then I’m happy, and I want them to know that you can honestly gain so much more than whatever you think you’re missing out on, and you’ll learn a lot about yourself along the way.’

Holly Carpenter’s sober path

Holly admitted that she was ‘nervous’ to share her story with her followers, but that she felt ‘ready to share this decision’ after more than a year of being sober.

She explained that she has been sober for over a year, and that her life is much better now. She said that she feels ‘happier and healthier’ and that she has ‘more clarity’ about her life.

‘I don’t have a crystal ball I can look into and confirm for certain that I will never drink again – but with my improved sense of self worth, mental clarity & happiness I know this is the best move for me. For anyone who can relate to my video just know that things can get so much better & you’re not alone #worldmentalhealthday #sober #sobercurious,’ she wrote in the post’s caption.

The benefits of sobriety

Holly’s story is an important reminder that it’s okay to seek help and make changes in your life. She said that she felt ‘less alone’ after sharing her story, and that she hopes it will encourage others to seek help if they need it.

She also highlighted the benefits of sobriety, which include improved mental clarity, increased happiness and a sense of self-worth.

Holly’s story is a powerful testament to the fact that it is possible to make positive changes in your life, even if it’s difficult. She has shown that it’s possible to overcome the challenges of addiction and live a happier and healthier life.

‘For anyone who can relate to my video just know that things can get so much better & you’re not alone #worldmentalhealthday #sober #sobercurious,’ she wrote in the post’s caption.