Tarek El Moussa Reflects on Battling Alcoholism During His Teenage Years
Tarek El Moussa reflects on his battle with alcoholism starting at 19, sharing a candid account of his darkest moments and the long road to recovery
Tarek El Moussa. Frazer Harrison/WireImage
As a young adult, Tarek El Moussa is candidly sharing his battle with alcoholism. In an Instagram post on Monday, December 4, the 42-year old HGTV personality recalled a memorable day from his past. "I will never forget this day ... or this kid. I was 20 years old fishing for King salmon in Alaska," he wrote, alongside a photo of his younger self. However, he also revealed that the day was marred by a terrible hangover caused by consuming over 30 shots of vodka and other alcohol. He vividly remembered the throbbing in his head and the pulsing vein on his temple.
El Moussa admitted that when he was younger, he was accustomed to experiencing physical discomfort from his frequent heavy drinking.
"Many people don't realize this about me, but at 19 my life took a turn for the worse almost overnight. I gained 50 pounds, lost my self-confidence, lost hope, and became a heavy drinker," he added. "I lost all motivation. It's unbelievable to think that today I sometimes wake up at 3 am to start work, when at 20, I would wake up at 3 pm to start my day."
El Moussa didn't reveal the specific reason for his transformation, but he emphasized the importance of second chances. He encouraged his followers to consider his upcoming book, Flip Your Life, as a resource for anyone facing similar challenges. "If you need the help that I once desperately needed, take a look at my new book Flip Your Life," he wrote. "I wrote it with the 20-year-old Tarek in mind, thinking about what could have made a difference for him."
El Moussa announced that his book is now available for preorder and is set to be released in February 2024. The reality star shared earlier this year that after nearly a decade of work, he had achieved his goal of writing his story.
"After 7 years of work, I’m excited for you to read my personal journey and learn about the challenges I overcame, including cancer, divorce, business struggles, addiction, and more. This book has been a long time coming, and I'm proud to share my story with you," he shared on Instagram. El Moussa has faced a series of life changes and health battles, including thyroid and testicular cancer in 2013, and a back injury that led to an addiction to steroids after entering remission in 2019.
“Following the cancers, I experienced a devastating accident on my back and lost around 60 pounds, while also being prescribed multiple opiates. I was really struggling,” El Moussa explained to Fox News Digital in February. “What people fail to realize is that from 2013 to 2016, it was an absolute nightmare.”
Deal of the Day
Believe the Hype — This Amazing Hair Straightening Tool Is 34% Off
Check Out This Deal
El Moussa and his former wife Christina Hall ended their seven-year marriage while also facing struggles with addiction. They have two children together, 12-year-old daughter Taylor and 7-year-old son Brayden. Since their separation in 2016, Tarek has remarried to Heather Rae El Moussa, and they recently celebrated the birth of their first son, Tristan, in January 2022.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
