Jeff Lewis Says He's Been a "Functioning Alcoholic" for the Past 2 Years
The Flipping Out designer has "been leaning on alcohol" to deal with "pain" and "stress."
Jeff Lewis shared that he has been turning to alcohol to help him cope with the "pain" and "stress" he has been experiencing over the past two years.
The Flipping Out designer opened up about his drinking during the November 26 episode of his Radio Andy show Jeff Lewis Live. While speaking with his friend and guest The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Eden Sassoon, who has been sober for the past seven years, Jeff admitted, “I feel like over the last two years, I have been leaning on alcohol."
He then opened up about the disappointment he felt in himself after he failed to go a night without drinking. “Last night, I made a commitment to myself that I was gonna go one night without having a drink, and I didn’t do that. And now today I’m beating myself up with guilt," Jeff said. "I feel like especially over everything that's happened over the last 24 months, I am leaning a little bit on alcohol because it numbs the pain, it helps me with my stress, it helps me relax, and it's become a routine, frankly."
Jeff said that he was "mad" at himself for not keeping that promise he made. "I'm thinking maybe I just need to remove all the alcohol from my house and I think that would literally cut out alcohol consumption by like 60 percent because I drink home alone," he said.
He said later in the show, "I just admitted I was a functioning alcoholic. This is a big show for me."
The past two years have been incredibly trying for Jeff. In that time, he has seen the end of personal and professional relationships with longtime employees Zoila Chavez and Jenni Pulos-Nassos. He and Gage Edward also ended their relationship after 10 years together in January.
Jeff and Gage soon found themselves in a contentious custody battle over 3-year-old daughter Monroe. The exes were close to reaching a custody arrangement for their daughter as of October. Jeff said at that time that once the arrangement was formalized with lawyers, he had no intention of ever communicating directly with Gage again.
Things have been looking up for Jeff as of late. He and Zoila reunited at Monroe's third birthday party in October. He is also currently dating boyfriend Scott Anderson, who has already received two thumbs up from a bunch of Bravolebs.
