Fredrik Eklund Details His Battle With Sobriety
After an unprecedented year, 2020 seems to have brought many celebrities' personal struggles to light. Comedian John Mulaney reportedly entered rehab after a decade of sobriety, and singer Demi Lovato detailed her past substance abuse in the new documentary, Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil. Even Real Housewives stars Leah McSweeney and Braunwyn Windham-Burke have joked that they're "sober sisters" during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leah, Braunwyn, and Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent penned a joint essay for Glamour about being sober while on a Bravo series.
Now, another Bravolebrity is breaking their silence — Million Dollar Listing: New York star Fredrik Eklund, who is no stranger to the spotlight. The real estate agent has butted heads with costars in the past and even had a short-lived Bravo spinoff series with real-life pal Bethenny Frankel. In 2017, Fredrik and husband Derek Kaplan publicly welcomed twins. In fact, Fredrik's family is the reason behind his March 2021 announcement. Keep scrolling to find out what Fredrik revealed about his journey to sobriety.
Frederik Eklund celebrated over 5 months of sobriety
Fredrik Eklund took to Instagram to honor his 160 days being sober on March 25, 2021. "It feels amazing," Frederik captioned. "The basic stuff is that I have more energy and clarity, look and feel younger, sleep better with less stress and no anxiety. My body is singing, not aching."
In addition to the physical benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle, Frederik admits that he was a "high-functional addict" without realizing it. "I'm a work in progress, still. The decision to stop wasn't easy," Fredrik continued. "But once I really decided, it was actually freeing." He cites the lack of pressure to "put up a facade" and his newfound ability to trust himself. Fredrik described his fears of "not being fun" without alcohol, but instead discovered he was more like himself than ever.
"160 days later and I don't feel alone," Fredrik concluded. "I don't worry about the future like I used to. I don't question my ability as a father the way I used to...I guess a new chapter is starting for me now. Life 2.0 – a life that's bigger than alcohol."
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and mental health, please contact SAMHSA's 24-hour National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).