Emily Weir, known for playing Mackenzie Booth on the Australian soap opera Home and Away, has spoken publicly about her struggle with alcohol addiction. In an interview with Who Magazine, the actress revealed that she turned to drinking as a way to manage her anxiety.
Weir described her habit of self-medicating with red wine, which she managed to conceal effectively. She admitted ignoring the problem initially, wanting to enjoy travel and socialising like many in their early 20s. However, her reliance on alcohol grew as it temporarily alleviated her anxiety and fears.
The actress eventually recognised that her personal life had unravelled and committed to sobriety, which she maintains to this day. She acknowledged that drinking was no longer serving her and that she needed to address the underlying reasons for her consumption.
Weir sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous and a counsellor, noting that while this approach may not work for everyone, it proved effective for her. She emphasised the importance of shedding light on anxiety and addiction to diminish their power, hoping her openness will encourage others facing similar struggles to seek help.
Home and Away airs weekdays on Channel 5 and 5STAR in the UK, and on Channel 7 in Australia. For those seeking support, Alcohol Change UK and Drinkline offer confidential advice.
