Courtney Stodden Breaks Ties with Alcohol: A Deep Dive into Their Sobriety Journey
Zoe Bennett
Objective reporting, insightful analysis: let’s begin.
Courtney Stodden has publicly announced a decisive break from alcohol after years of dependency and personal turmoil. In an Instagram post dated July 15, the 30-year-old reality star wrote, “Alcohol, I’m breaking up with you. It has been a toxic relationship for years. Something I used to cope, to escape, to survive. But it has hurt me more than it has ever helped me—publicly and privately.” This revelation marks a critical turning point for Stodden, who first entered the spotlight at age 16 when they married then-51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison.
According to Stodden’s follow-up video on July 17, they attribute their introduction to drinking directly to Hutchison. “He taught me how to drink,” Stodden stated, accusing the actor of heavy consumption and emotional abuse. “He would drink bottles and bottles of alcohol, he would abuse me. So I started drinking, and I learned from my groomer how to drink.” These statements underscore a deeper narrative about underage marriage and coercion, bringing fresh attention to the debate over age gaps in high-profile relationships.
Stodden’s decision to become sober comes nearly three years after their divorce from Hutchison in 2020. Since then, they were engaged to Chris Sheng between 2021 and 2023, and in December of the same year, they wed TV producer Jared Safier in a spontaneous Palm Springs ceremony attended by just 20 guests. At the time, Stodden told Us Weekly that the couple “didn’t have a date” but recognized the holiday gathering as the perfect opportunity for an intimate vow exchange. This free-spirited ethos, Stodden explained, remains central to their identity despite marriage.
Industry observers note that celebrity disclosures about sobriety often inspire public stigma reduction and encourage fans to seek help. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that public role models acknowledging recovery can increase treatment inquiries by up to 15 percent. Stodden’s candid admission not only adds to this positive trend but also highlights the complex interplay between early fame, trauma, and addiction risk.
Stodden joins a growing roster of entertainers who have openly navigated the road to sobriety. In July 2025, Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean confirmed he remains committed to recovery after a 2021 relapse, telling People, “I’m sticking this one out all the way. It’s a daily thing.” In another notable case, an American Pie star celebrated one year sober in October 2018, underscoring the ongoing challenges and victories that come with long-term abstinence.
As Stodden embarks on this new chapter, they emphasize the desire to “be fully present” and to confront past trauma “with clear eyes and real strength.” Their transparency brings renewed focus to the importance of mental health resources for young celebrities and the long-term effects of exploitative relationships. It also raises questions about accountability; E! News has reached out to Hutchison’s representatives but has not received a response.
Stodden’s fresh start serves as both a personal milestone and a potential catalyst for broader conversations about addiction and recovery within celebrity culture. What steps will they take next to maintain their sobriety and advocate for survivors of grooming?
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story of resilience and renewal.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Us Weekly, People
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
