Lara Sophia 
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills OG Kyle Richards shuts down gossip that she stopped drinking because she had a problem with alcohol.
During a recent episode of RHOBH, Kyle Richards confessed to her co-stars that she couldn’t afford to be depressed, which is why she ultimately stopped drinking and started focusing on exercise to help ease her anxiety.
Now, the RHOBH OG is doubling down on claims that she didn’t quit drinking due to alcoholism.
“You can just ‘outgrow’ alcohol you know,” read an image Kyle Richards shared to her Instagram Story Saturday. “You don’t have to be an ‘alcoholic’ or ‘hit rock bottom.’ You are allowed to just wake up & decide to carve out a different path, any time you like.”
Days later, Kyle Richards thanked fans for sticking by her side all these years, especially during the most challenging times in her life.
“I wanted to thank you all for your messages. In the 13 years of being on RHOBH I have never felt so much love and support,” the 54-year-old wrote via her Instagram Story on Monday, December 18. “I wish I could respond to each and every one of you, but I do want you to know that I am reading your messages, and I want to thank you for taking the time to share your insight, support, and wisdom with me. I appreciate it more than you know.”
She continued: “It also makes me happy to know that many of you feel inspired by my choice not to drink alcohol, and in sharing that with me, you inspire me to stay on my path. Sending love to you all ??.”
In recent months, Kyle Richards began opening up about what led to the dramatic changes in her life.
The changes in Kyle Richards’ life were kickstarted by the sudden and shocking death of her best friend, Lorene Shea, who passed away in May 2022 from suicide, following struggles with mental health. Lorene and Kyle had been friends since they were seven years old.
According to @yourbishtherapist, Kyle experienced “severe depression and anxiety” as well as “survivors guilt and blame/shame” following the “significant” loss of her childhood best friend.
To cope with the “intensely painful” loss, the RHOBH OG “realized she needed to do something…to avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms due to her family history of addiction.”
“Kyle’s commitment to addressing her emotions in a healthy manner led to her [stepping] away from alcohol” and “channeling unwanted urges into a productive outlet,” i.e., working out.
The account also noted that Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky’s marriage issues probably occurred because Kyle “expected emotional support from Mau that he was incapable/unwilling to provide,” which “left Kyle feeling disappointed, resentful, and betrayed.”
Kyle co-signed @yourbishtherapist’s theory and shared the post on her Instagram Story. She encouraged RHOBH fans to swipe through them while adding her comments on the therapist’s findings.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
