Florence Welch: “Sobriety is the best thing I ever did”
Florence Welch, the glorious front woman for Florence + The Machine, who has been sober for eight years, reflected on her current life without alcohol in a new interview on the podcast The Way We Are With Munroe Bergdorf.
“In terms of navigating being in the public eye, I think sobriety is the best thing I ever did,” she explained.
It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I had a problem with drinking because I was one of those drinkers where it was all or nothing. If I enjoy my drinking, I can’t control it and if I control my drinking, I don’t enjoy it.”
Welch went on to say that around the time of the release of her 2011 album ‘Ceremonials’ was the point that her relationship with alcohol needed controlling.
“It was like the glamour and the grandeur of ‘Ceremonials’ that created this shield of how chaotic it was behind the scenes which is why I think that record is so dark.”
Welch added: “Sobriety was really lonely. I had got into music to drink, you know, these two things that I loved the most. Singing, partying and alcohol are the things I was good at.” The singer – who has battled anorexia in the past – admitted her sobriety meant she didn’t get a “brain break” during the long periods of having to stay at home and isolate from others and came the “closest” she ever has to returning to her old patterns with food.
She said: “When you’re sober it is unfiltered reality all day every day. You don’t get a brain break. “I really f****** empathize with anyone who did relapse in those two years during the pandemic, because I think it was probably the closest I’ve ever thought about it.
“There were moments when I was like, ‘Should I be starting to cut back on my sugar? Or should I do a cleanse? And that for me is just a slippery slope.”
“Anorexia provides a feeling of certainty, because you’re just like, I’m going to control this.”Fortunately, Florence has a strong support network. She added: “Luckily, I have people I can talk to and that’s one of the most important things for anyone – to keep talking about it. And not to be ashamed if those thoughts come up.”
She went to say “if anyone is out there and struggling, it does get easier. If you are feeling shaky around ED issues, drugs or alcohol, I completely understand. The desire to disassociate is so strong. But please don’t give up. We are going to need you on the other side.♥️.”
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