Courtney Stodden marked a major milestone this week, celebrating her first sober birthday as an adult.
The reality TV star from Washington state hasn’t gone alcohol-free on her birthday since she was 17, making her 31st birthday a particularly meaningful occasion.
“I feel incredible,” Stodden told the Daily Mail, reflecting on her journey without alcohol.
“I feel stronger than ever and look forward to a healthy future.”
Reflecting on Personal Growth
The former teen bride admitted she never imagined reaching 31 in this state of sobriety.
“I honestly didn’t think I would make it here, but I’m stronger than I ever thought I was,” she said.
“If this resonates with you, know that there’s a light within you that can carry you through the hardest trials.
My first sober adult birthday—let’s do this! Cheers, either way, with a glass of water!”
Sharing the Milestone on Social Media
Courtney commemorated her birthday with several Instagram posts.
One featured her in a white bikini on the last day of being 30, while another captured her celebrating with a birthday cake in a silver mesh top.
She captioned her posts with heartfelt messages about growth, resilience, and living life fully.
“Today I’m 31—first alcohol-free birthday since turning 17!” she wrote.
She also encouraged followers to persevere through fear, heartbreak, and challenges.
“You will get out. The control, the fear, the heartbreak… it won’t last forever.”
Empowering Her Followers
Stodden used her birthday as a platform to inspire fans, especially those who feel invisible or overlooked.
“You’re not fading away… you’re getting ready to grow into someone powerful,” she said. She urged her followers to see pain not as weakness but as fuel: “The pain you’re carrying isn’t weakness. It’s the fire that’s going to save your life.”
She also reminded fans that they are not defined by abuse or hardship: “You are not broken.
You are not crazy. You are not ‘too much.’ You are a good soul who will one day tell your story, and people will listen.”
Learning to Love Herself
Courtney reflected on her past struggles and the importance of self-love. “You’re beautiful.
You always were. And remember this: you are nobody’s property. You belong to YOU.”
She described her sober journey as a process of unlearning toxic habits while embracing the strength she gained from surviving difficult experiences.
“I survived what should have destroyed me,” she said.
“I’m beginning my sober journey… I’m proof that even when you feel like you won’t make it, you do.”
Birthday Wishes from Her Husband
Her husband, Jared Safier, shared a loving birthday tribute on social media: “Happy Birthday to my love!! You are my best friend through all the ups and downs life throws at us.
You are the smartest, most fearless woman I have ever met.
The world is yours for the taking, and I will be right by your side. I love you with all my heart!!”
Her Sobriety and Personal Journey
Courtney has been sober for 43 days, leaving behind alcohol to gain clarity over her life and heal from past trauma.
She shared moments of reflection, acknowledging the challenges she faced in her 30s and expressing hope for the year ahead.
“Day 43 without alcohol. I try to be proud… I try to be grateful… and I am… even when it doesn’t fill all the spaces inside,” she wrote
. She also emphasized that women like her are often misunderstood—strong yet fragile, celebrated yet critiqued.
Overcoming a Traumatic Past
Courtney opened up about her early life, including her marriage to her much-older first husband, Doug Hutchison, who she says introduced her to alcohol as a teen.
She described the experience as controlling and damaging but also as a motivator for growth: “Trauma became my greatest teacher, and my ‘why’ pushes me past bitterness into peace.
I forgive not for anyone else, but for myself because pain can be a superpower if you let it.”
Embracing Health and Self-Acceptance
She highlighted the benefits of sobriety on her body, mind, and spirit, showing off her transformation on Instagram and reflecting on her healthier lifestyle.
“I am healing from past trauma,” she said. “It’s my sober journey for overall health.
I used alcohol to deal with pain, but all it did was make things more difficult.”
Courtney’s birthday marks a new chapter in her life—one defined by sobriety, self-love, and the determination to embrace the future with clarity and strength.
