Cheryl Burke Shares Sobriety Journey in Emotional Social Media Post

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A Journey of Sobriety and Self-Discovery

Cheryl Burke has recently captured the attention of fans and followers with a heartfelt and vulnerable post about her journey to sobriety. The former Dancing With the Stars professional dancer shared an emotional message on Instagram, celebrating seven years of being sober. Alongside a collection of photos, she reflected on her struggles with alcoholism and how her life has transformed since giving up drinking.

Burke’s post was filled with deep insights into the challenges she faced during her battle with addiction. She shared her thoughts on the things she once believed she would miss after quitting alcohol, only to realize they were never truly fulfilling. “Seven years ago, I thought sobriety would mean losing everything,” she wrote. “The fun. The freedom. The fearless version of me I thought only showed up after a drink.”

She described the belief that she would miss the escape from pain, the ability to numb emotions, and the confidence boost that came with drinking. “I thought I’d miss the confidence boost. The ‘liquid courage’ I thought made me magnetic, untouchable, more lovable,” she continued. “I thought I’d miss being the ‘fun one.’ The life of the party. The one who never said no to another round.”

Burke also spoke about missing what she called “fake intimacy” and late-night conversations fueled by vodka and pain. However, she realized that the real issue was not the alcohol itself but the avoidance of her true self. “But what I didn’t realize back then… Was that the escape I craved was really from myself,” she added. “And the girl I ran from? She was the one waiting to save me.”

In 2021, Burke opened up about her struggles with alcoholism on Elizabeth Vargas’ Heart of the Matter podcast. She confirmed that she is an alcoholic and an addict, describing herself as a “functioning” alcoholic who often appeared more sober than she actually was. Since then, she has been committed to her recovery, having given up alcohol in 2018.

In her latest Instagram post, she expressed how much she has gained through sobriety. “Today, I no longer chase chaos dressed as fun. I no longer tolerate connections that require me to abandon myself. And I no longer mistake numbness for peace,” she wrote. “What I thought I’d miss in sobriety? Was never real to begin with. I’ve gained… Presence. Peace. Self-respect.”

Burke concluded her post with an encouraging message for others facing similar challenges. “If you’re reading this and wondering if it’s possible — I promise you, it is. There’s a whole world on the other side of rock bottom. And it’s so much more beautiful than I ever imagined.” She ended with a toast: “Here’s to 7 years sober. Here’s to choosing clarity, wholeness, and me. One day, one hour, one minute at a time.”

Fans responded overwhelmingly to her post, sharing their own stories of recovery and offering words of support. One commenter wrote, “Congratulations! So happy for you! I’ll have 10 years on August 3rd!” Another said, “Just celebrated 11 years! Best decision I ever made for myself and my family. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing!”

Many praised Burke for her strength and authenticity. One user wrote, “You are an inspiration to so many! Congratulations!!! So happy for you choosing yourself everyday. And you can still be fun without alcohol!” Another added, “You’re an amazing example: brave, strong, beautiful! Addictions look different and the core is always to numb and give the illusion of good, while being a fake all the way.”

Nicole Scherzinger also commented, saying, “This is beautiful. You’re amazing.” Her message resonated with many, highlighting the power of vulnerability and the importance of supporting one another on the path to recovery.