Valerie Bertinelli, 64, reveals WHY she stopped drinking nine months ago

Valerie Bertinelli continues to enjoy her alcohol-free lifestyle as she marks nine months of sobriety as of October 1.

And while the actress and TV personality insisted she never had a problem with alcohol, she was initially inspired to get sober when the clock turned to 2024 when she took part in Dry January as an experiment.

Now the former Food Network star, who has since joined The Drew Barrymore Show as ‘Drew Crew’ expert reveals the main driving force behind her decision to quit drinking alcohol while attending the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston on Saturday.

“I actually think a lot of it has to do with getting older,” Bertinelli, 64 – who is in a happy relationship – admitted People.

I think the older you get, the less you really want to put that into your body. I mean, anyone can do whatever they want, but I feel better.”

She revealed the main driving force behind her decision to quit drinking alcohol while attending the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston on Saturday

Since getting sober, Bertinelli claims she rarely craves wine or spirits.

“I don’t miss it because I don’t miss how it actually made me feel after I had it or the next day,” said the former wife of the late rock legend Eddie Van Halen.

The event in Charleston, South Carolina is part of Valerie’s journey with Ross Mathews as expert representatives for the Drew Barrymore Show, which also hosted the State Fair Of Texas 2024 in Dallas, Texas the previous day.

The former One Day At A Time star also reportedly took to her Instagram page on Saturday to share a mirror selfie of herself wearing white overalls over a white t-shirt and a large brown cowboy hat over her long dark locks.

“LA->Dallas->Charleston->LA,” she wrote in the caption, referencing her travel schedule over the past few days. ‘Three days. Two events.’

She added, “More fun things to come for @thdrewbarrymoreshow.

As one of the newest Drew Crew members, Bertinelli will make regular appearances on The Drew Barrymore Show to highlight various lifestyle segments.

So far, her favorite topics have been related to health and wellness.

“Drew covers topics I wish I would have heard about 10 years ago, like menopause alone,” the Wilmington, Delaware native said of Barrymore. “She tackles topics that not many people do, and she does it with such grace and such vulnerability and authenticity to her and that we can all relate to.” I love being there.”

The actress further admitted that she enjoys being on the talk show to learn and be informed about issues like menopause, just like the audience and viewers at home.

‘I love being able to talk about it because things are happening to my body. I ask my doctor, but he just says, “I don’t know,” she says. “So it’s nice to talk to other women who are going through the same thing and we can relate and we can say, ‘Oh my God, [I] don’t feel alone.”

The tandem Valerie and Ross documented their performance at the State Fair Of Texas in Dallas on Friday, where they dressed in their best cowboy and cowgirl ensembles

There is also a video on Bertinelli’s Instagram Story showing their arrival

Bertinelli has kept fans updated on her sobriety via social media, including this post when she went six months without alcohol on July 1

The Valerie’s Home Cooking star will now appear regularly on The Drew Barrymore Show as a veteran Drew Crew member alongside the likes of Ross Mathews

Earlier this summer, Bertinelli opened up about the changes she’s noticed since adopting an alcohol-free lifestyle.

‘I feel good when I wake up in the morning. I’m not dizzy. I’m not tired. I’m not, ‘What did I do last night?'” she revealed to People.

The mother of one has seen what heavy drinking can do to someone, so she considers herself “one of the lucky ones” who hasn’t had to struggle with addiction her entire life.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever really had a problem [with alcohol] and that’s why it was kind of, I don’t want to say easy, but it was an easier path for me to start with dry January,” she said, adding, “And then, ‘Well, I’m halfway through February, now I might as well continue.’ And now I’m turning it into a kind of game for me.’

And by making a game of it, Valerie Bertinelli will celebrate nine months of sober living on October 1.