ITV Emmerdale star Lisa Riley says she feels 'free' as she marks huge milestone
Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley has opened up about her tough relationship with alcohol in the past - but now she's set to celebrate nine years of being sober.
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has taken to Instagram to share her triumph over alcohol, as she approaches a remarkable nine-year milestone of sobriety.
The 47-year-old actress, famed for her portrayal of Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap, shared an inspiring message that read: "Going sober doesn't make you boring. Being hungover all day does."
Off-screen, Lisa is an open book about her personal growth and sobriety, often giving fans a glimpse into her life beyond the drama of Emmerdale. She candidly discussed her past struggles with alcohol, expressing how much more "free" she feels now.
Alongside the powerful quote from @soberdave, Lisa wrote: "LOVE.....LOVE.....LOVE THIS. Thank you @soberdave it makes so much sense!!!! Can you believe in August I will be nine years sober #sober#soberlife#free @sobergirlsociety #sobergirl."
The outpouring of support was immediate, with followers flooding her post with positive messages. One fan praised the decision, saying: "Best gift we can give ourselves."
Another echoed the sentiment, commenting: "Well done Lisa, and everyone else that did it.", reports OK!.
Admiration continued with another adding: "That's absolutely amazing. Well done Lisa."
A fourth supporter expressed their agreement: "Go girl, I love this statement too. It stands so true and so strong!" Sharing their own success story, another follower added: "Well done. I haven't drank for 13 years and that hangover feeling, not worth it."
Lisa's journey to sobriety began as a way to cope without using alcohol as a "comfort blanket" especially during the difficult period following the death of her mother, who passed away at the age of 57 after battling cancer.
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During a previous appearance on Loose Women, the actress shared: "I vividly remember when we were filming Fat Friends in about series three or four and especially four when my mum died I know I was self-medicating fully. I was having a bottle or a bottle-and-a-half of wine a night."
She further delved into her troubled relationship with alcohol after Hollywood star Drew Barrymore revealed her decision to quit drinking permanently.
Lisa had posted on X: "Thank you @drewbarrymore for your beautiful honesty regarding getting sober. I relate to every single word you say about deep-rooted GUILT.
"Which made me drink! ! ! Guilty that I should be at an event I didn't want to go to, guilty of surrounding myself with fake and disloyal people, guilty of 'trying' to fit in where I didn't belong.... and now my life is GUILT FREE as I've been sober for over SEVEN years.
"It's wonderful that we are all able to talk about this freely, and that I will never feel guilty about doing anything I don't want to AGAIN! ! Because that's drowning out your true feelings with alcohol."
