Kyle Richards reached a milestone this month. She used it to openly discuss a choice that not everyone around her backed. The RHOBH star celebrated four years without a drink in a July 20 Instagram post. She shared why she quit alcohol and how her life has changed since then.
“This past week marked 4 years since I gave up alcohol. I’ve talked about my reasons why I made that decision,” she began.
She explained the original motivation. “I wanted to look and feel better during a time where I didn’t feel my best both physically or mentally and didn’t feel like I could afford any bad days.”
The Reaction She Didn’t Expect From Others
Richards was candid about how her sobriety landed with the people around her, and she did not soften it.
“People loved when I drank. I was fun! That meant people didn’t love when I stopped,” she wrote. “But I didn’t let that deter me. I knew I could still be ‘fun’ without alcohol and feel a lot happier the next day.”
She went further, turning the discomfort back on the people who felt it. “I quickly learned that the people who had an issue with my choice were more concerned about how it made them feel about themselves.”
That line does a lot of quiet work. Anyone who has reduced their drinking knows the odd reactions from others. Some people feel judged by a choice that wasn’t about them at all. Richards named it directly.
The Calm She Wasn’t Looking For
The part of the post that struck me most was about a change. Richards mentioned it was unexpected, especially during a tough time in her life.
“What I wasn’t expecting was a calmer Kyle in spite of going through very challenging times,” she wrote. “Something shifts in you even if you aren’t a big drinker. Things that would normally make me feel anxious, I now faced with an unfamiliar calmness. Looking healthier was just a bonus.”
She summed it up simply: “For me, it’s been all upside.”
Respect On Both Sides
Richards was careful not to preach. She made room for friends who drink and framed the whole thing as a personal call, not a rule for anyone else.
“I have plenty of friends who have no desire to give up alcohol. I totally respect that and they respect me,” she wrote. “For me, I focused on how good I felt, and that was more important to me than having fun for a few hours at a party followed by ‘alcohol doom’ the next day.”
She also had direct advice for anyone feeling pushed to drink socially. “I know it’s not easy for everyone but if it’s something you’re considering don’t be discouraged by people that want you to drink for their entertainment. Even well meaning friends,” she wrote. Richards is not the only one in her circle who has gone this route. Her close friend, country singer Morgan Wade, has also been sober for years. This likely makes her choice feel less isolating than for those who are alone.
The Practical Tip For Nights Out
Richards got specific about the awkward part nobody warns you about: what to actually hold at a party. She admitted plainly that “water can be boring at a party I’m not going to lie.”
Her favorite swaps are low-sugar sparkling wine, non-alcoholic beer, and rare mocktails. She keeps mocktails limited to control her sugar intake. She also shared a small trick for dodging the questions. “Having my non alcoholic sparkling wine in a wine glass limits questions about why you’re not drinking and makes you feel like you’re not missing out. I wish more restaurants carried it!”
That is a genuinely useful tip. The toughest part of not drinking in a crowd is the constant questions. A wine glass filled with a non-alcoholic drink can stop the inquiry before it begins.
Not About Alcoholism, By Her Own Account
Richards has been consistent that her decision was about wellness rather than addiction. In a 2024 interview with WWD, she made that distinction clearly.
“I didn’t have a problem with alcohol, per se. I always say that, but, of course, there were many times that I was like, ‘Oh, that was a problem,’ but it really was a choice for health and beauty,” she said.
She also connected drinking to her mental health at the time. “The next day, I was always feeling down. But it really made a difference in how my skin looked and how my body looked.”
Richards closed her post with a reflection on how far the choice has taken her. “I didn’t think I’d be here 4 years later sharing that I still haven’t drank. But I’m happy and proud that I can say that.”
The timing of that pride is notable. Richards shared it before the Ultimate Girls Trip premiere. This came during a tough time in her life, which she hinted at by mentioning her struggles. Four years ago she made a health choice. She feels most grateful for the version of herself that can face tough times without seeking a way to escape.
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