A Journey of Sobriety and Self-Discovery
Cheryl Burke has been receiving an outpouring of support after sharing a heartfelt message about her journey to sobriety. On Wednesday, she took to social media to mark seven years of staying sober and shared a powerful eight-slide photo gallery that illustrated the things she once thought she’d miss about drinking—but no longer do.
Many fans have expressed admiration for Cheryl’s strength and resilience, with one comment reading: “Seven years of choosing yourself every single day. That’s beautiful, CB. Sending you love and light.” Another fan added: “You are an inspiration to so many! Congratulations!!! So happy for you choosing yourself every day. And you can still be fun without alcohol!”
Cheryl opened up about the emotional struggle she faced during her early days of sobriety. She admitted that she once believed she would miss “the ability to numb everything—the pain, the pressure, the pretending,” as well as “liquid courage” that made her feel “magnetic, untouchable, more loveable.” She also thought she’d miss being “the ‘fun one.’ The life of the party,” along with “fake intimacy” and “freedom.”
However, she quickly realized that addiction wasn’t freedom at all—it was “a cage dressed up like a good time.” After quitting drinking, Cheryl found something new: “peace, presence, power, me.” She reflected on her journey by saying, “7 years sober. And not one thing I thought I’d miss is worth going back for. If you're struggling: there is another way. I promise you, it's beautiful.”
In a long caption, Cheryl shared more insights into her transformation. She described how, seven years ago, she believed sobriety would mean losing everything—“the fun, the freedom, the fearless version of me I thought only showed up after a drink.” But what she didn’t realize then was that the escape she craved was actually from herself. “The girl I ran from? She was the one waiting to save me,” she wrote.
Cheryl also spoke about how she used to think alcohol gave her confidence, connection, and control. “Turns out, it stole those things quietly—day by day—until I couldn't recognize my own reflection,” she said. Today, she no longer chases chaos disguised as fun, nor does she tolerate connections that require her to abandon herself. “I no longer mistake numbness for peace,” she explained.
What she once thought she’d miss in sobriety, she now realizes, was never real to begin with. Instead, she has gained “presence, peace, self-respect, and a relationship with my Higher Power that reminds me I was never walking alone—not even in my darkest moments.”
She concluded her message with a powerful statement: “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.”
Cheryl also shared a glimpse into her past, admitting that before getting sober, she was drinking seven days a week and described herself as a “functioning drunk.” In 2021, she openly identified as an alcoholic and addict on Elizabeth Vargas’ Heart of the Matter podcast, stating, “I'm definitely an alcoholic and addict. Absolutely. Yes, 100%.”
Her journey serves as a reminder that recovery is not just about giving up a substance—it’s about reclaiming your life, your identity, and your future. As Cheryl continues to celebrate her sobriety, she remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for others who are on their own paths to healing.
