Belinda Carlisle is opening up about her past battles with addiction. The 66-year-old singer achieved sobriety in 2005 after hitting a 'spiritual bottom,' ceasing her habits of smoking, drinking, and using drugs. 'I knew that if I had continued, I probably would have lost my family — and everything,' Carlisle shared with People. 'I knew that if I continued, I would die.' At that time, the 'Heaven Is a Place on Earth' artist was 'sick of living a life of secrets and lies' and was 'ready' to turn her life around. 'There are different types of bottoms, but mine was just self-hatred,' Carlisle reflected.
Regarding her path to sobriety, Carlisle attributes her success to a 12-step program and her daily yoga practice. 'I have a pretty strong spiritual foundation that I live from, so, I meditate, I chant, I read, I study, and I pray every day,' Carlisle said. The Grammy-nominated singer explained that the greatest benefit of being sober is 'living each day.' 'There were so many days that I used to go to bed at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m. Now, I get up at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., so I have a full day,' Carlisle reiterated. The lead vocalist of the Go-Go's added that life 'just keeps getting better' after she eliminated alcohol and substances from her life. 'My life is more exciting than it was when I was at the top of the charts,' Carlisle exclaimed. 'So, living each day to the fullest, I think, is the best part.'
The activist also reminisced about posing nude for PETA in 1990 alongside her all-female bandmates, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin, and Charlotte Caffey. They were 'the very first' to star in PETA's groundbreaking 'I'd Rather Go Naked' anti-fur campaign. 'I've always had pets, I've always loved animals. I've been an animal advocate for the past 40 years. That's just the way that I've always been,' Carlisle told People.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member shared that in 2014, she decided to channel her passion for animals into action. After traveling to India and witnessing many animals living on the street, Carlisle thought, 'Well, I've been of service to animals in the States most of my life, and there's a lack of animal services here, so why not do something?' The star then co-founded Animal People Alliance (APA). This nonprofit provides care to street animals in India and Thailand and offers jobs with living wages to vulnerable people to enhance their quality of life. 'Since then, we've treated 90,000 animals,' Carlisle exclaimed. 'I had a pug named Pierre who taught me everything,' Carlisle said of her four-legged companion who passed away 15 years ago. 'Not everything I know, but he taught me a lot.' Although Carlisle doesn't have any pets at the moment, she shared, 'The animals I have are in India. I just love them from afar because I can't do it right now.'
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