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Lucy Hale is commemorating a milestone in her sobriety journey with a poignant social media post.
The Pretty Little Liars alum, 36, took to social media on Friday, January 2, to share an emotional update on her health journey.
“4 years ago, I reached a very dark chapter and my personal rock bottom. It’s wild to say, but that ended up being the greatest gift and biggest turning point in my life,” she wrote via Instagram.
Hale continued, “The path hasn’t always been smooth. There’s been pain, discomfort, loneliness, and deep self-confrontation. But sobriety handed me back my life. I am deeply grateful for every single moment that has brought me to this point.”
The actress ended the post with a message of hope for others who are grappling with similar issues.
“If you’re struggling, please know this: there is always a chance to begin again. Keep going. Keep speaking your truth. Ask for help. And remember that are so worthy of a life you’re proud of. Your existence matters, and so does the story you carry. It DOES get better ❤️,” she wrote.
“I’ve realized that darkness isn’t always something to fear. It’s often the very thing that leads us toward the light.”
Followers flooded the comments section with words of support, including Hale’s former PLL costar, Tyler Blackburn, 39, who wrote, “So proud of you! ❤️”
Ashley Newbrough, 38, who starred alongside Hale in The CW drama Privileged, echoed a similar sentiment as she wrote, “You radiant thing ❤️ beyond proud of you.”
Lucy Hale. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Hale has been open about her alcohol dependency battle over the years. (She quit drinking for good in 2022.)
Last year, The Hating Game star shared another Instagram post to mark her third year of sobriety.
“Damn. 3 years ago today, I began my journey in remembering who I am,” Hale captioned her post in January 2025. “Since then, I’ve experienced moments that can only be described as pure miracles and magic. I am deeply grateful every day — for the people who have been guiding lights, for a power greater than myself that loves me unconditionally, and for my own perseverance in not giving up. To all of you who have supported my journey, I have felt your love and it means everything to me.”
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Hale also opened up about her health journey during an appearance on a February 2023 episode of “The Diary of a CEO.”
“I have been working on getting sober since I was 20. I’m 33. It takes time. It took time. It took patience with myself,” she said at the time.
She added that was only able to make lasting change when she decided to become sober for herself rather than external reasons.
“I tried to change for boyfriends. I tried to change for my mom. I tried to change for my career. I tried to change for vain reasons. ‘I’ll stop drinking for that.’ None of that s**t works. I had to and wanted to get sober,” Hale said. “Because I said, ‘I deserve more. I deserve more out of this life. I have to try it a different way. And I have to be willing to just commit to it.’”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
