Countess Luann De Lesseps Opens Up About Drinking Problem

Luann de Lesseps The Real Housewives of New York

The Real Housewives of New York standout Luann de Lesseps, better known as "The Countess," recently spoke candidly about her drinking problem. The reality TV star has remained frank about her substance abuse, and in a recent interview, she admits she's in a better place than she was last year, particularly after an "embarrassing" arrest around Christmas Eve that found the Bravo personality locked in the slammer by herself in Palm Beach, FL.

In an exclusive interview with People, Luann de Lesseps said she considered her Florida arrest to be "a wake-up call." While de Lesseps considered herself a social drinker for years, The Countess began drinking at least seven drinks a day after she separated from her husband, Tom D'Agostino Jr. It put the reality TV star in a bad spiral. In the interview, Luann de Lesseps explained her intensified drinking process during last year's rough patch.

I would start with a martini and maybe have two martinis, and then get into the wine at dinner. Then I'd have a little bit of vodka soda going out. I would have the hair of the dog drink the next day, and drink more, and it didn't feel good. Alcohol just stopped working for me.

On December 23rd, Luann de Lesseps was arrested for disorderly intoxication. It happened after she arrived at the wrong hotel and she had a verbal disagreement with the officers who arrived at the scene. In addition to disorderly intoxication, she was also charged with battery on an officer, resisting arrest with violence, and threatening a public servant. While The Countess is living sober, her troubles aren't behind her. The reality TV star is due in court on April 13th. Depending on how things shake up, de Lesseps might end up facing some more jail time soon if she's convicted of her crimes.

Luann de Lesseps opened up about her recent jail time during a performance of her cabaret show #CountessAndFriends in Manhattan a month ago. While it's a pretty serious ordeal for the TV personality, with some potentially hard ramifications, she found the humor in the situation. Fellow Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel also released astatement about Luann de Lesseps shortly after she was arrested towards the end of 2017. At the time, Bethenny Frankel said The Countess was doing "great" and that she was the "most resilient, strong woman" Bethenny ever met.

Since Luann de Lesseps cut back on the sauce, things have taken a turn for the better. The Countess entered a rehab treatment facility after her arrest and she is focused on her personal well-being. de Lesseps also admits she quit smoking and she has lost at least eight pounds. She nows practices yoga and meditation, which has played a big hand in her self-recovery. Additionally, de Lesseps recently returned to film another season of The Real Housewives of New York. So you'll be able to catch up with The Countess and all her adventures soon. You can watch the reality TV show on Bravo.

Will Ashton

Will is an entertainment writer based in Pittsburgh, PA. His writing can also be found in The Playlist, Cut Print Film, We Got This Covered, The Young Folks, Slate and other outlets. He also co-hosts the weekly film/TV podcast Cinemaholics with Jon Negroni and he likes to think he's a professional Garfield enthusiast.