Southern Hospitality’s Maddi Reese Says Sobriety ‘Saved Me’ as She Nears 10 Years in Recovery (Exclusive)

Maddi Reese’s decision to get sober changed her life.

The southern hospitality star opened up to PEOPLE about her journey to recovery, saying the decision to give up alcohol and drugs is one she’ll never regret.

“It saved me,” says Reese, 26. “Then I look back on my life and yeah, I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t gotten sober. I’ve learned so much about myself and I’m very proud of the person I am today because of it.”

“I’ve definitely had my ups and downs with sobriety, but right now I’m in a really, really, really strong position,” she adds. “I’m going on 10 years, which is kind of scary and crazy to me because it’s gone by so fast. But I can only hope that the next 10 will be just as flawless.”

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Maddie Reese.

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Reese got sober in April 2014 when she was just 16 years old. She previously explained in the first season southern hospitality that she started drinking alcohol when she was only 12 years old. “She had to turn to drugs,” she said, when her parents bought her a breathalyzer.

She tried four before she finally sobered up. “One year sober today,” she wrote in an Instagram post on April 16, 2015, marking the occasion. “A lot has changed, I couldn’t have done it without my family, friends and God himself.”

Now Reese works as a VIP manager at Republic, one of the hottest nightclubs in Charleston, South Carolina (and the place to southern hospitalityLeo Bonaparte Southern charm spinoff, now in its second season).

While some recovering addicts may find it difficult to maintain their sobriety in a party environment, Reese says she embraces “enthusiastic sobriety,” which allows her to be the life of the party in Republic without substance abuse.

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Maddi Reese at BravoCon 2023.

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Talking about her recovery on television also helps. “I’m super open about it because I want that responsibility,” she tells PEOPLE. “I don’t want to drink, I don’t want to drink – I know where that road leads me. So talking about it keeps me on that road.”

“Trust me, on any given night at work, I’m more concerned about trying to get rid of my anxiety than I am about sobriety,” jokes Reese. “It’s a lot of pressure, you know what I’m saying? And I’m always trying to figure out who I can trust, how to deal with drama, things like that. It’s really stressful!”

She also notes that she’s heard from viewers that her sobriety has been “inspirational.” “So many people said, ‘I don’t want to drink anymore.’ And it’s so beautiful to see,” she says. “It really means a lot to me because my story is very unique, but it just shows me how much addiction affects everyone. We all have different stories, but illness is what connects us.”

Maddi Reese on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’.

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It is this service that means the most to Reese, he says.

“People always ask, ‘What’s it like, going through the program and the meetings and the steps and everything?’ And I feel like it’s really about working on yourself to be better, but also relying on the people around you for strength. And that community, that’s the most rewarding part. Learning about others, giving back — that’s what fills my heart.”

southern hospitality airs Thursdays (9 p.m. ET) on Bravo.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

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Source: HIS Education