Charlie Brooks shares before and after photos from her sobriety journey as she confesses a decade of wild nights left her crawling home with missing shoes and an empty bank account

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As someone who’s spent years observing and advising on wellbeing, I’ve always been struck by the courage it takes to face addiction. Recently, Charlie Brooks shared her own incredibly honest story, revealing that her nights out, before getting sober, were often filled with such anxiety that she’d literally find herself crawling home. It’s a powerful illustration of how hidden struggles can manifest, and a testament to her strength in seeking a better path.

The 44-year-old actress, famous for playing Janine Butcher on EastEnders, recently posted photos showing her journey from struggling with drinking and smoking to enjoying a healthy, sober lifestyle with her dog, including peaceful walks in nature.

In her post, she confessed she loved smoking and drinking rounds of tequila shots.

She’s made significant changes to her life, explaining that she’s stopped neglecting her own needs and is now focusing on her health and well-being as she enters her 40s.

With her new album release, she shared a personal note: ‘Cigarettes and alcohol… I used to really enjoy them, but they weren’t good for my health, either physically or mentally.’

I used to love late nights, chatting with friends outside while smoking, sharing tequila, and enjoying a crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. But things changed, and those things aren’t my favorites anymore.

I’ve lost so much on nights out – I once came home with just one shoe! And they were my favorite pair, to boot. Usually ends with an empty wallet, a lot of regret, and a wave of anxiety. It’s a cycle, really. But I’ve definitely had some amazing times along the way, too.

‘That loop lasted a decade. Ten years of “never again” followed by… again. Until 6 years ago.

I didn’t want to keep living the same way as I approached my 40s. I was ready for a change, so I started listening to podcasts, reading books, and connecting with others who were also striving for something new.

I started prioritizing my own well-being and stopped holding myself back. I began making conscious choices in all areas of my life, but it wasn’t an overnight transformation. It happened gradually, because real change needs time to develop.

Time feels different these days. I’m figuring out when to be proactive, when to take a break, and when to simply step back and allow things to unfold naturally.

I’m always a work in progress. And honestly, that healthy glow people notice? Sometimes it’s a little help! I’ve tried Botox before, but wasn’t a fan. I’ve also had a little lip filler – and I don’t mind admitting it. Aging is definitely an interesting journey.

For the past four years, Charlie has been focusing on her health. She shared that she stopped drinking alcohol in 2021 because she was tired of feeling unwell.

She admitted she used to love going to parties, but she realized she didn’t have much self-control when it came to drinking – if she had one glass of wine, she’d often end up drinking much more.

Charlie shared on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast that she’s decided to stop drinking alcohol, explaining she’s had a lot of fun partying in the past.

One glass of wine always turns into several. I realized I needed to make a change and stop drinking so much.

I was really tired of feeling awful and stuck in a rut, repeating the same behaviors and feeling like my life wasn’t moving forward.

Being an actor is challenging. While I’ve been fortunate enough to work on some great projects, most of the time is spent looking for work and facing rejection.

According to Charlie, she felt it was necessary to stop drinking to reach her full potential.

She went on to say she thinks she might have missed opportunities, and that alcohol can sometimes prevent people from reaching their full potential.

I realized I needed to stop drinking to truly discover and develop who I am. Now, I’m feeling more secure, creative, and able to trust others.

I’m not promising this will last forever – I still enjoy having fun and going out – but right now, this is definitely one of the most positive things I’ve ever experienced.

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2025-11-11 00:04