Kyle Richards feels "happy and proud" to be celebrating four years since she gave up alcohol.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 57, previously admitted she ditched booze because it was "was no longer serving me physically, mentally or spiritually" and she's now marked four years since getting sober and she is now a "calmer" and "healthier" version of herself.
In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "This past week marked 4 years since I gave up alcohol. I’ve talked about my reasons why I made that decision.
I wanted to look and feel better during a time where I didn’t feel my best both physically or mentally and didn’t feel like I could afford any bad days. People loved when I drank. I was fun! That meant people didn’t love when I stopped. But I didn’t let that deter me.
"I knew I could still be 'fun' without alcohol and feel a lot happier the next day. I quickly learned that the people who had an issue with my choice were more concerned about how it made them feel about themselves.
"What I wasn’t expecting was a calmer Kyle in spite of going through very challenging times. Something shifts in you even if you aren’t a big drinker. Things that would normally make me feel anxious, I now faced with an unfamiliar calmness. Looking healthier was just a bonus."
She went on to add: "For me, it’s been all upside. I know it’s not easy for everyone but if it’s something you’re considering don’t be discouraged by people that want you to drink for their entertainment.
"Even well meaning friends. I have plenty of friends who have no desire to give up alcohol. I totally respect that and they respect me.
"For me, I focused on how good I felt and that was more important to me than having fun for a few hours at a party followed by 'alcohol doom' the next day."
Kyle then explained how she gets through parties sober and revealed she likes to drink non-alcoholic wine and beer if she doesn't want to stick to water.
She added: "I’m always asked what I drink at a party because people don’t want to just drink water ( water can be boring at a party I’m not going to lie) I opt for a low sugar non alcoholic sparkling wine, non alcoholic beer and seldomly a mocktail ( because I TRY to limit my sugar).
"Having my non alcoholic sparkling wine in a wine glass limits questions about why you’re not drinking and makes you feel like you’re not missing out.
"I wish more restaurants carried it!"
Kyle concluded her post by writing: "I didn’t think I’d be here 4 years later sharing that I still haven’t drank. But I’m happy and proud that I can say that."
