Elle Macpherson reflects on her journey giving up alcohol

Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson has given a glimpse behind the curtain as to why she gave up alcohol 20 years ago.

Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson has given a glimpse behind the curtain as to why she gave up alcohol 20 years ago.

The 60-year-old appeared on Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommyto promote her new book Elle, where she opened up about her sobriety journey.

Macpherson gave up alcohol in 2003 after a stint in rehab.

Last year, she celebrated 20 years without alcohol and was awarded a tri-plate Alcoholics Anonymous medallion to commemorate her work in recovery.

Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson has given a glimpse behind the curtain as to why she gave up alcohol 20 years ago. Picture: Instagram/@ellemacpherson

“I couldn’t even identify it because being, Aussie drinking is part of our culture. I was not messy at all, I was very organised, in fact, I was a highly-functioning, controlled drinker,” she said on the radio program.

“It took other people – people in the health and wellness (community) – to say to me, ‘Elle, you are not living life on life’s terms, you are just numbing your feelings to get through the days’.

“I couldn’t really put two and two together because for me an alcoholic was someone that was living on the streets or drinking in the morning but what I found is any addiction – or anything that we do over and over again that is self-damaging – can be detrimental to us. We are continuing to do things that may be self-harming.”

The 60-year-old appeared on Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommy to promote her new book Elle, where she opened up about her sobriety journey. Picture: Instagram/@ellemacpherson

She said her cycle of drinking would start when she put her children to bed, doing shots of vodka. While her alcoholism wasn’t a secret, many didn’t see this side of her.

After her time in rehab, Macpherson joined Alcoholic Anonymous in London.

She said she was “excited” to take what she learned in the facility and apply it to real life.

“I was suddenly feeling connected. AA is a wonderful community of connection, so sharing my story and feeling that I was in a group of people that understood was very uplifting,” she said.

She hasn't drank since 2003. Picture: Instagram/@ellemacpherson

Host Tommy Little said Alcoholic Anonymous is scary for anyone the first time, but asked if she was concerned people would recognise her.

“That’s so funny. That was exactly … Here I was thinking everybody was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s (Elle Macpherson)’ … nobody gives a sh*t,” she said.

“Everybody is on their own journey, they’re trying to get well, they’re trying to capture the pieces of their life that they’ve let go of. They’re on their own journey. The last thing they’re thinking about is me, and that’s the healthiest place to be in.”

Macpherson has previously said she has no regrets about giving up alcohol.

Listen to Carrie and Tommy on the Hit Network from 3-6pm weekdays, also on LiSTNR.

Originally published as Elle Macpherson reflects on her journey giving up alcohol