Movies

Ulrika Jonsson admits ‘crippling anxiety, fears and self-loathing’ led her to alcohol as she marks one year of sobriety

BBG News

As a committed advocate for change, I’ve chosen to share my own transformative journey – one of over a year without alcohol. This choice has revolutionized my life in ways I never could have envisioned before embarking on this path.

Last June 5th, in a heartfelt confession to a dear friend, I uttered words that felt like a breath of fresh air after years of suffocation: “I can’t keep going like this anymore.” Little did I know, those simple yet powerful phrases would be my lifeline, pulling me from the abyss of addiction.

In an article for The Sun, she stated: “It was just another day after a heavy night, feeling hungover and laden with guilt. Despite being drenched in the mix of alcohol’s effects on my liver and mind, I found myself seeking assistance.

She referred to herself as a ‘heavy drinker who consumed alcohol to lose consciousness,’ and explained that her dependence on alcohol gradually took hold.

Despite not experiencing such dramatic consequences like losing her job, children, imprisonment, or arrest, the impact on her was still substantial.

As an ardent fan of showbiz, don’t miss out on the latest A-list scandals, red carpet fumbles, exclusive snaps, and viral sensations. Sign up for our DailyMail Showbiz newsletter to keep yourself updated!

Ulrika acknowledged that she turned to alcohol for misguided purposes – to alleviate her overwhelming anxiety, to flee reality, to become invisible, and to silence her self-disgust.

She also spoke openly about the shame and secrecy that surrounded her behaviour. 

In the throes of an unbridled passion for sipping straight rum at ungodly hours, I’d often find myself in a haze come morning, with no recollection of the previous night’s events. What I concealed beneath a veneer of poise and polish, however, was a secret struggle: my drinking habit had escalated beyond control.

Despite her drinking history appearing quite ordinary on record, Ulrika shared that the emotional impact was actually very deep.

In various forms and right before our eyes, alcoholics reside, she penned down, mentioning that her familial background left her susceptible.

She admitted that she didn’t seem to fit well with the demands of life, explaining her reliance on alcohol as a means of escape. What she yearned for was the complete numbing sensation… the desire to halt those unwanted emotions.

After quitting alcohol, Ulrika shares that she’s discovered more about herself in the last year than she did during the preceding five decades. She also mentions experiencing a profound spiritual transformation and finding inner tranquility.

As people around her rejoiced and her daughter suggested going out for a meal, Ulrika acknowledged that the time leading up to her one-year anniversary was fraught with anxiety.

She now lives one day at a time and accepts that recovery is a lifelong journey. 

After Ulrika had completed a full year without alcohol, she took to Instagram on Thursday to express her feelings about this significant achievement emotionally.

The television personality posted “sober” and “intoxicated” images, accompanied by the message “The voyage continues,” for her 204,000 followers.

Today marks a year without alcohol for me, Ulrika shared. No celebrations, no awards, no prizes. My journey continues.

I’d like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has been so kind, understanding, and compassionate. They have embraced me with care and acceptance, guided me when needed, brought joy into my life, and helped me overcome feelings of embarrassment and inadequacy.

She expressed gratitude towards her children Cameron (30), Bo (25), Martha (20), and Malcolm (16), and offered an apology for any worry she may have caused them: “Thank you to my kids for standing by me despite my causing concern; for believing in me even when I likely worried you.

I am grateful for the understanding and faith shown by my dear friends. Maintaining my sobriety remains my top concern. It seems that even old dogs can learn new tricks after all.

Apart from the “before” and “after” images, Ulrika posted a childhood picture of herself too, along with a touching flashback to “this time last year”.

In December, Ulrika celebrated reaching the six-month mark of being sober, acknowledging that her loved ones played a significant role in getting her there.

In her recent post, the ex-Gladiator star posted both a current photo of herself and an old one taken under the influence of alcohol. She confessed that she had once found it hard to face these images.

In her account, Ulrika shared: “Reaching the six-month mark of my sobriety journey, I recall the pivotal moment on June 5th, 2024, when I received the blessing of desperation and sought aid. I no longer felt like myself and chose to yield.

Regarding the photo showing her apparently intoxicated, Ulrika commented: ‘Pic. 2: depicts me amidst the chaos. Yet another moment of inebriation. Initially, I found it tough to confront images of myself under the sway of alcohol’s influence. The weight of embarrassment was too much to bear.’

Now, when I see those pictures, I can’t help but feel compassion and empathy for that young girl. It’s clear to me now that she urgently required comfort and guidance, not criticism or scrutiny. She was in a fragile state, almost shattered, and unaware of other possibilities.

Wrapping up her message, she mentioned: “There are many other things I want to express – and I will do so when the time is right. I’m just starting out on this journey, but my life has been wonderfully transformed. It’s a deeply spiritual experience. One day at a time…

Read More

2025-06-07 01:49

Previous post The Sims 4 roadmap revealed: Enchanted by Nature expansion, Nature’s Calling event, and more
Next post Call the Midwife shares exciting season 15 update with “evocative” new storyline