A former reality television star has opened up about the dark reason she was forced to make a huge life change at the start of 2023.
For all her adult life, Jules Rangiheuea has been known as the “life of the party” and the first one that her friends would call when they wanted to have a good time.
The 29-year-old Sydneysider – who shook up the Big Brother Australia house after coming onto the show as an ‘intruder’ last year – told news.com.au that over time, this “party girl” persona had become her whole identity.
Filled with positive energy and a lively spirit, Jules thought she was thriving in this environment and always looked forward to going out to events every chance she could.
But the reality of this meant she would be drinking to excess multiple times a week, leaving her feeling sick and “filled with anxiety” as she nursed a hangover the following morning.
“I’ve always been known as the party animal and the bender queen,” the podcast host and producer explained.
“I was celebrated for these qualities, it became my entire personality. I’d even have strangers come up to me and say ‘I heard you’re a great time on the piss’.
“It honestly got to a point where I felt like this was all I was known for.
“I started to think whether my friends really knew who I was behind the drinking. I didn’t even know if I knew who I was without alcohol.”
With the best of intentions, she would often tell herself that she would be having a “sober week” – but would always give in to the temptation of drinking just a few days in.
With the end of her twenties in sight, Jules said she knew she needed to make a change and enter her next decade of life with a healthy body and mind.
“I grew up in Perth, in a coastal town, where drinking was just part of the culture,” she said.
“Millenials especially like myself were so into the UDL’s and passion pop piss ups.
“I think this is true for most Australians. Drinking alcohol and getting pissed is a huge part of out social identity.
“Cracking open some beers and having a wine is so normalised as part of our culture.
“I would go out to drink at least twice a week, and then be drinking all weekend. On a random weeknight I could easily have two jugs of cider with dinner.
“That’s not normal. I was drinking to excess all the time.
“Then I’d be so hungover, and as I got older the worse I’d feel. I was riddled with anxiety after drinking, and just stay in bed all day.
“I’d skip the gym and just order takeaway to be delivered.”
Have you been through something similar? jasmine.kazlauskas@news.com.au
At the end of last year, she decided that 2023 would be her “year of no drinking” and made a promise to herself to stay sober for a full 365 days.
While Julies admits it was difficult at first, she feels so much better now in her body and mind after being sober for almost three months.
“On the outside, I looked like someone who was really happy,” she recalled.
“But on the inside, I was miserable. I was really anxious all the time and would fall into depressive episodes.
“The first month was really difficult. I was having a ton of headaches and just really craved a drink all the time.
“But then once I got through it, I started feeling really amazing. I’ve never slept so well in my life, and my skin is clearer than it has ever been before.
“I used to toss and turn all night, and always had blemishes. But that’s changed since I gave up the alcohol.
“I felt happier, and my mind was so much clearer.
“It is crazy the affects that alcohol can have on the human body and mind.”
Another incredible benefit to being sober is the amount of money she has managed to save.
Jules estimated that since she was 18, she had spent a whopping $114,000 on alcohol alone – enough for a large deposit on a nice house.
Since getting sober at the start of the year, she has saved over $2,000 that she would have otherwise spent on drinking.
“The cost of consuming so much alcohol is something people often forget about,” Jules said.
“I estimated that in my lifetime, I’d spent over $100,000 on booze. That is insane.
“I’d easily spend around $200 a week on alcohol. Now I get to save all of that.
“I’ve already got over $2,000 saved, and it feels amazing.”
While her journey is not over, Jules has been an inspiration to many people who are considering on giving sobriety a go.
She shares raw and honest updates on her TikTok account, which she says has helped keep her accountable through this process.
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol addiction, there is support available. Call Alcoholics Annoymous on 1300 222 222 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
“All you have to do is start,” she said.
“That’s the first step. Give it a go. You have nothing to lose.
“Start with a month without alcohol, and see how you feel. I didn’t feel the benefits until about the second month in, so you need to give it time.
“I’d also recommend having an accountability buddy. My partner is also going sober with me, so that has really helped.
“Sit your friends down, individually rather than in a group, and explain to them why you’re wanting to go sober. If they really love you, they will be understanding and supportive.
“It is the best decision I’ve ever made, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.
“If I can do it, anyone can.”
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