{"id":521335,"date":"2023-01-18T13:26:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T20:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=521335"},"modified":"2023-01-18T13:26:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T20:26:39","slug":"hilary-phelps-opens-up-about-alcoholism-inspired-by-michael-phelps-activism-on-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/hilary-phelps-opens-up-about-alcoholism-inspired-by-michael-phelps-activism-on-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Hilary Phelps Opens Up About Alcoholism, Inspired by Michael Phelps’ Activism on Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hilary Phelps Opens Up About Alcoholism, Inspired by Michael Phelps’ Activism on Mental Health<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

When Michael Phelps<\/strong> acknowledged his mental health issues and troubles stemming from them, he opened the door for many people to admit their own issues and seek help.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, it takes seeing someone in the spotlight go through something to understand it is OK to seek help.<\/p>\n

Even if that someone is in your own family.<\/p>\n

Inspired by Phelps\u2019 advocacy<\/a> and transparency, his sister Hilary Phelps<\/strong> has discussed her battle with alcoholism, opening up to Today.<\/a> It was a battle that she began 15 years ago, but something she needed to air out – something to help other mothers and women going through similar issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was my secret,\u201d Hilary Phelps told Today. \u201cWe are expected to raise children like we don\u2019t work and work like we don\u2019t have children. We\u2019re in the mindset of, \u2018I’ve got to do this all by myself.\u2019 If you go to any 12-step meeting, you\u2019ll hear women talking about the shame they feel for needing help.\u201d<\/p>\n

But last year, Hilary decided she was done hiding the issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany people reading this will have no idea,” she told Today. “It\u2019s something I\u2019ve kept hidden for fear of not being liked or accepted by my peers. I was always worried that people would judge me, but I recently realized those are not my people. My person is the one person that sees or hears this and asks for help. \u2026It\u2019s been almost 15 years since my last drink. My choices are better. My life is better. Asking for help isn\u2019t weak, it\u2019s the strongest thing I ever did,\u201d she wrote on Instagram. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to all of those who came before me, to those who loved me when I was at my lowest and cheered me on when I celebrated milestones. If you or someone you know is struggling with the disease of addition, my DMs are always open. I am here to love you until you love yourself. You\u2019re not alone, I see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Hilary Phelps (@hilaryphelps_)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n