Scottish music icon Lulu has shared her ongoing battle with sobriety, revealing she still lives with a “healthy fear of relapse” since becoming sober in 2013 after attending a rehab program in the United States. The acclaimed singer, known for hits like “Shout,” took steps to address her alcohol issues 13 years ago following a realization during her 65th birthday celebration.
In a recent interview, the 76-year-old Eurovision winner disclosed more about how she manages her addiction, emphasizing that any return to drinking would have severe consequences for her. Lulu had kept her journey to sobriety private until the publication of her memoir, “If You Only Knew,” last year, which she described as a liberating experience.
During a conversation on Matt Willis’ podcast “On The Mend,” Lulu mentioned that her last drink was on November 3, 2013, highlighting the struggle to control her alcohol consumption. She acknowledged that joining Alcoholics Anonymous helped her understand that addiction is an illness, providing a sense of relief by dispelling her belief that she was a bad person.
While admitting to occasional thoughts of relapse, Lulu emphasized her awareness of the risks involved, comparing a return to drinking to losing a limb. Despite having temptations, she stated that she has not succumbed to them, recognizing the potential consequences.
The singer, whose career started with a Top 10 hit in the UK in 1964 with “Shout,” shared that a conversation with her niece about a friend’s alcohol struggle prompted her to seek help. Less than a day later, she flew to the US for rehab, a decision that shocked her son, Jordan.
After completing the rehab program, Lulu committed to attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly for five years. She also revealed that during her participation in the 2011 series of “Strictly Come Dancing,” where she was partnered with Brendan Cole, she was secretly battling alcoholism, describing herself as a “highly functioning alcoholic.”
Lulu’s candidness about her journey serves as an inspiration to others struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, encouraging seeking support and help.