The Chrisley family has long been a staple of reality television, captivating audiences with their southern charm, humor, and occasionally chaotic family dynamics.

Yet, behind the glitz and glamour of Chrisley Knows Best, the family has endured profound struggles—none more personal than what Chase Chrisley recently revealed about his own battle

with alcohol during one of the darkest periods in their lives. In a deeply candid appearance on the Tamron Hall Show, Chase, 29, opened up about the emotional toll of watching his parents,

Todd and Julie Chrisley, face federal charges, incarceration, and the public scrutiny that came with it. His confession paints a raw picture of how the absence of his parents, combined with the pressures of fame, led him down a dangerous path.

Life Without His Parents

“Our family’s really close,” Todd Chrisley shared in a clip released ahead of the episode, a sentiment that underscores just how seismic his and Julie’s absence was. “When you lose the backbone of your family, there’s nothing that can prepare you for that.” For Chase, who had grown up in the public eye as the mischievous, charming son of the Chrisley clan, the sudden vacuum of parental guidance hit hard.

Chase admitted that the initial stages of his parents’ prison sentences were emotionally overwhelming. “I didn’t know how to process my emotions,” he confessed. “Everything I thought I knew about stability was gone. One day my family was together making people laugh on TV, and the next I was standing outside prison gates wondering how we had gotten here.”

The contrast between the public’s perception of the Chrisleys and the private reality Chase faced was stark. Off-camera, the weight of family turmoil, legal chaos, and relentless media scrutiny left him struggling to cope.

Turning to Alcohol

Chase revealed that in his search for relief from the crushing stress, he turned to alcohol. “At first, it was just a way to numb the sadness,” he explained. “A drink here or there when the emotions became too heavy. But gradually, alcohol became my crutch. It wasn’t about partying—it was about escape. I didn’t want to feel. I didn’t want to think. I just wanted a break from reality.”

The Chrisley patriarch acknowledged that he wasn’t surprised by Chase’s struggle. “I’ve never had alcohol. So, it’s never been around us,” Todd admitted during the interview. Yet he noted that Chase had flirted with drinking in the past, and his absence during their prison time exacerbated the issue. Todd shared, “I think around 18 or 17, it started, and it continued. I said, ‘You need to stop with this drinking. I don’t know where it’s coming from, but there’s no good to come from it.’”

Chase’s turning point came after a legal incident of his own. In January, he was arrested for simple battery following a bar altercation. “Everything I’ve learned has been the hard way,” he said, reflecting on how the arrest made him recognize the dangers of his path. “Hearing my father’s words made me realize he was right. I had to make a change.”

The Emotional Weight of Public Scrutiny

The pressures Chase faced were compounded by the public’s fascination with the Chrisley family’s troubles. Todd and Julie had been sentenced in June 2022 to a combined 19 years for tax evasion, fraud, and conspiracy, a story that dominated headlines and social media. Though they were pardoned by President Donald Trump in May 2025 after more than two years behind bars, the emotional scars for the family lingered.

Chase described the silence and uncertainty of those months as unbearable. “The nights were the hardest,” he admitted. “I’d sit there thinking about mom and dad, imagining what they were going through. I couldn’t pick up the phone and just call them like I used to. The silence was crushing.” It was in those quiet, lonely moments that alcohol became his temporary refuge—a way to cope with feelings of fear, anger, and helplessness.

Behind the Mask of Humor

What made Chase’s struggle especially difficult to detect was his ability to mask pain with humor. Known for his quick wit and boyish charm, Chase continued to play the role of the family’s light-hearted jokester even as he grappled with his demons. Friends and fans saw only the charming exterior, while inside, he battled a spiral that included nights of heavy drinking and mornings he barely remembered.

“There were mornings when I’d wake up and not remember what happened the night before,” he admitted. “I’d tell myself, ‘This is the last time.’ But by nightfall, I’d be pouring another drink.” The facade of humor and charm hid a painful reality—a young man struggling to navigate loss and public scrutiny without the anchors of his parents.

A Wake-Up Call

Chase’s turning point came through a deeply personal and familial moment. Sitting with his younger brother, Grayson, he saw the worry and confusion in his eyes. “He looked at me like he didn’t recognize me,” Chase recalled. “That broke me. I was supposed to be his example, his protector, and instead I was becoming someone he couldn’t rely on.”

This moment catalyzed Chase’s decision to seek help. He turned to family, friends, and professional support, committing himself to sobriety, therapy, and self-reflection. “I’ve learned that you can’t outrun pain,” he said. “Alcohol gave me a temporary escape, but the problems were still there in the morning. The only way to heal is to feel.”

Family as the Anchor

Even from prison, Todd and Julie remained a source of guidance and support for Chase. “When I talk to mom and dad now, they still encourage me,” he shared. “They tell me not to give up, not to lose myself in all of this.” Savannah, too, played a pivotal role, stepping into the role of family spokesperson and caretaker while her siblings navigated uncertainty.

Chase also credited his younger siblings, Grayson and Khloe, for reminding him of the innocence and love worth protecting, helping him stay grounded in the midst of turmoil. Together, the Chrisleys worked to reclaim stability, rebuild trust, and strengthen their familial bonds.

Growth, Healing, and Redemption

Today, Chase Chrisley is sober and focused on rebuilding his life. He has spoken openly about the importance of mental health, prayer, and leaning on loved ones instead of substances. Beyond personal recovery, he is using his experiences to support others struggling with addiction. “If I can be honest about my struggles and that helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it,” he said.

Chase’s journey is a testament to resilience and accountability. While the public once knew him as the mischievous, carefree son on a reality TV show, he has transformed into a young man who understands the weight of loss, the consequences of avoidance, and the importance of facing life’s challenges head-on.

Closing Reflections

Chase Chrisley’s story is not one of defeat but of triumph over personal hardship. His admission about turning to alcohol during his parents’ prison time sheds light on the hidden struggles behind the Chrisley family’s reality TV image. Yet, through vulnerability, honesty, and the support of family, Chase has reclaimed his path toward healing and growth.

The Chrisley family saga continues to capture audiences with its blend of drama, humor, and heart. But Chase’s candid revelations serve as a powerful reminder: behind the laughter and cameras, real people navigate real pain. And in his story, fans see a universal truth—resilience, family, and the courage to face one’s struggles can transform even the darkest moments into opportunities for redemption.

As Chase put it, reflecting on his journey: “I didn’t know how to process my emotions then, but I do now.”

 

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