For years, Chase Chrisley was best known as the charming wildcard of Chrisley Knows Best—the quick-witted son with a mischievous grin, a flair for trouble,

and an unfiltered sense of humor that often stole scenes from the family’s meticulously curated reality-TV world. On screen, he embodied carefree confidence,

leaning into the role fans expected: funny, reckless, and seemingly untouched by consequence. But now, Chase is revealing a far more sobering truth—one

that peels back the glossy veneer of reality television to expose a deeply personal battle with addiction, self-doubt, and the long road to recovery.

In recent interviews and podcast appearances, Chase has begun to speak candidly about his sobriety journey, sharing details that contrast sharply with the lighthearted image viewers grew accustomed to seeing. What emerges is not just a story of addiction, but a portrait of a man growing up in the public eye, struggling beneath the weight of expectation, and ultimately choosing to confront his darkest moments with honesty and courage.

The Image vs. the Reality

Growing up as a Chrisley meant growing up under a microscope. The family’s brand—built on luxury, discipline, and Todd Chrisley’s larger-than-life authority—left little room for visible cracks. From the outside, the Chrisleys appeared to have it all: wealth, fame, and a hit reality series that thrived on sharp humor and family banter. Chase often played the role of the “wild child,” cracking jokes and stirring chaos as a way to stand out in a household defined by high standards and relentless scrutiny.

But behind the laughter and carefully edited moments, Chase says he was quietly unraveling. Over time, fans began to notice changes—his health seemed off, his behavior more erratic. Rumors swirled, but few could have imagined the depth of the struggle he was facing away from the cameras.

A Hidden Battle During Filming

Chase has since confirmed that some of the darkest moments of his addiction coincided with filming Chrisley Knows Best. In December 2025, he appeared on his sister Savannah Chrisley’s podcast, Unlocked, where he described that period as the lowest point of his life. What viewers saw on screen, he admitted, barely scratched the surface.

He revealed that he was not sober during filming and relied on substances that pushed both his physical and mental health to dangerous extremes. Chase spoke openly about stomach issues that were shown in the series—issues that were real and worsened significantly by substance use. He acknowledged that there were moments when he genuinely believed he might not survive that chapter of his life.

Alcohol, he explained, wasn’t initially his substance of choice. But once it entered the picture, it became uncontrollable. “When I started drinking,” he admitted, “I couldn’t stop.” What began as social behavior slowly evolved into dependency, blurring the lines between normalcy and self-destruction.

The Turning Point

Unlike many recovery stories, Chase’s path to sobriety did not begin with a single explosive incident. Instead, it crept up quietly—through exhaustion, guilt, and a growing sense of self-alienation. He described reaching a point where he could no longer recognize himself in the mirror, feeling ashamed not only for disappointing his family, but for betraying his own values.

A major shift came, Chase says, when he finally acknowledged the pain his actions were causing those closest to him. Seeing the toll on his family and friends forced him to confront the reality he had been avoiding. Compounding that realization was a profound moment of reflection following his parents’ presidential pardon related to tax-related charges. To Chase, it felt like a second chance—not just for his family, but for himself.

He credits faith as a significant influence during this period, expressing gratitude and a renewed sense of responsibility to change his lifestyle. “I felt like I’d been given another opportunity,” he said. “And I didn’t want to waste it.”

Family, Guilt, and Accountability

Chase has spoken openly about the guilt he carried—guilt for letting his parents down, and an even deeper pain at realizing he had let himself down. He recalled a serious one-on-one conversation with his father, Todd Chrisley, a moment marked not by anger but by honesty. By then, Chase says, he had already accepted his mistakes and was ready to take responsibility.

Shortly after, he entered rehab, committing to a 30-day program focused entirely on recovery and self-reflection. Removed from distractions and expectations, Chase finally allowed himself to confront the underlying issues he had been numbing for so long.

Redefining Strength

One of the most striking elements of Chase’s journey is how sobriety reshaped his understanding of strength and masculinity. Raised to project confidence and composure, he once believed that toughness meant handling everything alone. Recovery taught him otherwise.

“There’s strength in saying, ‘I need help,’” he shared. Vulnerability, he learned, required more courage than denial. He began prioritizing mental health, establishing routines, and replacing chaos with structure. Fitness, discipline, and honest self-reflection became anchors as the fog of addiction slowly lifted.

A New Chapter

Sobriety didn’t just change Chase—it transformed his relationships. Conversations became more meaningful. Apologies carried weight. Trust, once fragile, began to rebuild. His family noticed the shift: the humor remained, but it no longer served as a mask. The anger softened. The defensiveness faded. Most importantly, Chase learned how to truly show up—for birthdays, for difficult conversations, and for himself.

Now sober and proud of the progress he’s made, Chase hopes that sharing his story can help others who feel trapped in similar cycles. His message is not one of perfection, but of persistence—a reminder that healing is rarely linear and that asking for help can be the bravest step of all.

In pulling back the curtain on his struggles, Chase Chrisley has offered something rare in the world of reality television: an unfiltered look at the cost of maintaining an image, and the quiet power of choosing authenticity over appearance. For fans of Chrisley Knows Best, it’s a sobering revelation—but also a hopeful one, signaling the start of a more grounded, intentional chapter for a star who is finally living life on his own terms.