Former EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks has marked six years without alcohol, revealing her transformation through social media whilst calling the decision to quit drinking the finest choice she has made.
The 44-year-old performer posted contrasting photographs on Instagram to display the contrast in her life.
One snap showed her pouring Stella Artois into a pint glass to illustrate her journey from heavy drinking to complete sobriety.
Ms Brooks acknowledged her previous enthusiasm for cigarettes and alcohol had taken its toll on her physical and mental wellbeing.
The actress, who portrayed Janine Butcher in the BBC soap for over twenty years until 2022, stated she now possesses what she terms a "sober glow" following her lifestyle transformation.
In her Instagram post, Brooks openly discussed her previous lifestyle choices, writing: "Fags and booze. Oh my god. I used to LOVE them. My skin, body and mind... did not."
The actress detailed her former drinking preferences, mentioning "Late nights. Smokers' corner.
Tequila rounds. New Zealand Marlborough Sauv Blanc" as particular favourites from her party days.
Charlie Brooks shared a candid statement about her relationship with alcohol
|Ms Brooks acknowledged experiencing enjoyable moments during this period, noting she had "some bloody good times" despite the negative consequences that followed.
Her social media confession revealed the extent of her previous relationship with alcohol, painting a picture of regular nights out and heavy drinking sessions that characterised a significant portion of her adult life before making the decision to embrace sobriety.
Brooks revealed that her drinking habits resulted in a destructive pattern lasting an entire decade, characterised by "Empty bank. Regret. Shame. Fear" following nights of heavy alcohol consumption.
The actress described experiencing ten years of repeatedly vowing "never again" before inevitably returning to drinking, creating a continuous cycle she found impossible to break.
This repetitive pattern of remorse and relapse continued throughout her thirties, with Ms Brooks acknowledging the emotional and financial toll her lifestyle was taking.
The mother-of-one explained her determination not to continue this destructive behaviour as she approached her fourth decade.
She explained how she "didn't want to enter my 40s on the same merry-go-round".
Her decision to achieve sobriety came gradually, with Brooks describing the transformation as happening "little by little" rather than through an abrupt change.
The EastEnders star reflected on her sobriety
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Ms Brooks characterised her ongoing recovery as a "work in progress", explaining she continues learning "when to push, when to pause, and when to get out of the f***ing way and let life reveal itself".
The performer shared images documenting her current wellness regime, featuring various facial and skincare procedures alongside vitamin and supplement routines that have replaced her former drinking habits.
A final photograph displayed Brooks with her dog, showcasing the visible health improvements she attributes to six years without alcohol.
Charlie Brooks said stopping drinking was 'the best thing I've ever done'
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"I love not drinking", she declared in her post, adding "It's the best thing I've ever done" accompanied by a dancing emoji.
Following her EastEnders exit in December 2022, Brooks participated in ITV's Dancing On Ice earlier this year, reaching sixth place before elimination alongside professional partner Eric Radford.