So, here’s the thing about Chrissy Teigen. You either love her or you’re completely exhausted by her, but you can’t deny she’s the queen of the "overshare." Most celebrities treat their personal struggles like a carefully curated PR crisis, but Chrissy? She just drops it all on Instagram while probably wearing a robe and eating something spicy.
Her latest update has people talking, and honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch. After years of being the poster child for the "Quit Like a Woman" movement, Chrissy Teigen recently admitted she isn’t sober anymore.
The Chrissy Teigen Sobriety Update Everyone Is Talking About
In mid-2025, Chrissy took to social media and her podcast, Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen, to clear the air. She’d been quiet about it for a minute, but the secret was clearly eating at her. She basically told her millions of followers: "I let alcohol back into my life."
It wasn’t a "woo-hoo, I'm back!" kind of post. It was heavy. She talked about the "dread" she felt before releasing the episode where she chatted with her sobriety mentor, Holly Whitaker. If you’ve followed her journey, you know Holly's book was the thing that sparked her sobriety back in December 2020.
To hear Chrissy say she felt like she was letting everyone down—especially the people who told her they quit drinking because of her—was pretty raw. Sobriety is a weird, non-linear beast. You think you have it beat, and then suddenly you're "throwing up on a Tuesday," which is a direct quote from her that feels way too relatable for anyone who’s ever struggled with a "few too many."
Why she decided to start drinking again (and why she hates it)
Chrissy didn't just say she’s drinking; she admitted she’s frustrated by it. She’s "pissed" that she can’t just have one cocktail on vacation with John Legend without it turning into eight. That’s the "all or nothing" trap a lot of people fall into.
She’s being mindful, or trying to be. She mentioned she can still go to a concert or a Renaissance Faire (yes, she specifically mentioned avoiding absinthe at the Ren Faire) and have a blast sober. But the "normalcy" of drinking is what pulled her back in.
It’s interesting because she acknowledges she likes herself better sober. She feels better, gets more done, and doesn't have those "bleary, sleepy drinking eyes" in photos with her kids. Yet, the pull was there.
The Timeline: A Refresher on Her Journey
If you're trying to keep track, it’s been a long road. It didn't start in 2020.
- 2017: She first told Cosmopolitan she was drinking too much. She couldn't even get through hair and makeup without wine.
- December 2020: The big shift. She goes public with her sobriety after her doctor gave her Holly Whitaker’s book. This was right after the heartbreaking loss of her son, Jack.
- July 2022: She hits the one-year "dry" milestone. No drops for 365 days.
- May 2025: The "relapse" (though she prefers to call it a mess-up or an evolution) is made public.
As of early 2026, she’s in that messy "middle ground." She isn't claiming to be perfectly sober, but she isn't exactly back to the old days either. She’s "figuring it out openly," which is probably the most honest way to handle a platform that big.
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The "Ozempic" Factor and Health Struggles
You can't really talk about her health lately without mentioning the other elephant in the room. Around the same time as the sobriety shift, she opened up about using Ozempic.
She used it to lose the weight she gained during her pregnancy loss with Jack, which she said was "torturous" because she actually loves food. Then there were the ulcers and the acid reflux. Her body has been through the ringer. It makes sense that her relationship with substances—whether it's spicy food or a glass of wine—is constantly shifting.
What Most People Get Wrong About Celebrity Relapses
When a celebrity like Chrissy Teigen "fails" at sobriety, the internet usually splits into two camps: the "I told you so" crowd and the "We love you no matter what" crowd.
But here’s the reality: two-thirds of people with alcohol use disorder relapse within six months. Chrissy made it years. That’s not a failure; it’s a massive achievement that just happens to have a "to be continued" tag on it.
Sobriety isn't a destination you reach and then park the car. It’s more like a subscription you have to renew every single morning. Sometimes the payment doesn't go through.
Why her honesty is actually a good thing
By admitting she isn't sober anymore, she’s actually doing more for the "sober curious" community than if she had just lied. There’s so much shame in "falling off the wagon." People stay hidden in their drinking because they don't want to admit they lost their "streak."
Chrissy basically said, "The streak is gone, I'm mad about it, but I'm still the same person trying to be better." That gives people permission to be imperfect.
Actionable Insights: What We Can Learn From Chrissy
If you’re looking at your own relationship with alcohol after reading this, here are a few things to take away:
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- Streaks aren't everything. If you were sober for two years and drank last night, you didn't "lose" those two years of health and clarity. They still happened.
- Identify the "Why." Chrissy noticed she wanted to be "normal" on vacation. Knowing your triggers—social pressure, anxiety, vacations—is half the battle.
- Transparency kills shame. If you’re struggling, telling one person you trust can take the power away from the "secret."
- Mindfulness is a tool, not a cure-all. Being "mindful" about drinking is great for some, but for others, it's just a slow slide back to old habits. Know which one you are.
Chrissy Teigen’s sobriety update isn't a final chapter. It's just a very public, very messy middle of the book. Whether she decides to go fully dry again or continues this "mindful" middle ground, she's reminded everyone that being "human" is a full-time job.
If you're struggling with your own relationship with alcohol, remember that even with all the money and resources in the world, someone like Chrissy still finds it hard. You aren't alone in the "mess-up."