Lucy Hale says life 'got really dark' during her struggle with alcoholism, eating disorder

Lucy Hale is opening up about her struggle with alcohol and an eating disorder, exacerbated at the height of her fame on "Pretty Little Liars."

The actress, 34, revealed on Wednesday's episode of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that her earliest memory of drinking was on vacation when she was 12 years old. "I remember my very first experience with alcohol was the same as when it ended," she said, adding, "I blacked out at 12 years old. I don't remember what happened, I threw up, I got very sick, and I remember being so distraught when I realized what had happened.

"I remember shame after every experience drinking, because my drinking was never normal," Hale continued. "It was very clear I was drinking to escape something, even at a young age."

Later on in the podcast, Hale reflected on the way drinking also impacted her health. "I think the eating disorder fueled the alcoholism and they kind of fueled each other," she said.

The "PLL" alum said her drinking became a regular activity after turning 18, but she "didn't realize I had a problem until my early 20s."

Drinking became something she thought about "all the time" and "felt uncomfortable" sober when she was out with friends.

Hale revealed she secretly went to rehab when she was 23 while starring in "Pretty Little Liars." "I don't think anyone on the show knew," she said. "That was a pivotal moment in my life."

Her path to sobriety was not linear, however, "which is why I didn't get sober until I was 32," she said.

"I had tried so many different things: rehab, out-patient, in-patient, trauma center, therapy, medication, you name it," Hale continued.

The actress also found herself surrounded by other people with similar habits, adding that a friend at the time told her, "Sober people are so boring," which only lessened her desire to become sober.

Hale's drinking also led to other risky situations, she explained, revealing she was "taken advantage of" in sexual encounters and used cocaine. "I did have moments when I had to go to the hospital," she said. "It got really dark. I was very sad. I was very scared."

The "Truth or Dare" star eventually got sober in 2021, which she credits in part to getting COVID-19, because it forced her to stay home and receive medical treatment. "Without having COVID, I might not have gotten sober or committed to it."

Now that she's been sober for two years, Hale said she feels "great" and excited to talk about it with others. "Being sober is 100% the best thing I've ever done for myself, but doesn't mean it's easy," she said.

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If you suspect you or someone you know needs help with alcohol abuse, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit https://findtreatment.gov.

If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating concerns, you can call The National Alliance for Eating Disorders' clinician-run helpline from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. EST at (866) 662-1235. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, please text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visit hotline.rainn.org/online and receive confidential support.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lucy Hale on 'Call Her Daddy': Actress talks alcoholism, sobriety