Belinda Carlisle Hit 'Spiritual Rock Bottom' and Got Sober Almost 20 Years Ago: 'I Knew' That 'I Would Die' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Belinda Carlisle in October 2022.Photo:Frazer Harrison/Getty

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Belinda Carlislemay have had a successful run with her bandthe Go-Go’sand as a solo artist since debuting in the late ’70s. But she also faced various struggles.Nearly 20 years ago, in 2005, the “Mad About You” musician made the decision to get sober when she hit a “spiritual bottom” and stoppedsmoking, drinking and doing drugs, includingcocaine.“I knew that if I had carried on, I probably would lose my family — and everything,” Carlisle, 66, tells PEOPLE over the phone from her Mexico City home for this week’s issue. “I knew that if I continued I would die.“At the time, the “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” singer “was sick of living a life of secrets and lies” and was “ready” to get sober. “There’s different types of bottoms, but mine was just self-hatred,” Carlisle recalls.She credits a 12-step program — and her yoga practice, which she does “every single day” — for helping her remain sober.“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 says.While she still attends meetings, she credits her “meditation, yoga practice and spiritual practice” for helping her maintain her sobriety.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Belinda Carlisle in June 2005.Tom Briglia/FilmMagicFor Carlisle, the best part of being sober is “you live each day.““There’s 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,” she says.According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, life “just keeps getting better” since she cut alcohol and substances out of her life.“My life is more exciting than it was when I was at the top of the charts,” Carlisle says. “So, living each day to the fullest, I think, is the best part.“For more on Belinda Carlisle, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Belinda Carlislemay have had a successful run with her bandthe Go-Go’sand as a solo artist since debuting in the late ’70s. But she also faced various struggles.

Nearly 20 years ago, in 2005, the “Mad About You” musician made the decision to get sober when she hit a “spiritual bottom” and stoppedsmoking, drinking and doing drugs, includingcocaine.

“I knew that if I had carried on, I probably would lose my family — and everything,” Carlisle, 66, tells PEOPLE over the phone from her Mexico City home for this week’s issue. “I knew that if I continued I would die.”

At the time, the “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” singer “was sick of living a life of secrets and lies” and was “ready” to get sober. “There’s different types of bottoms, but mine was just self-hatred,” Carlisle recalls.

She credits a 12-step program — and her yoga practice, which she does “every single day” — for helping her remain sober.

“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 says.

While she still attends meetings, she credits her “meditation, yoga practice and spiritual practice” for helping her maintain her sobriety.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Belinda Carlisle in June 2005.Tom Briglia/FilmMagic

Tom Briglia/FilmMagic

For Carlisle, the best part of being sober is “you live each day.”

“There’s 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,” she says.According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, life “just keeps getting better” since she cut alcohol and substances out of her life.

“My life is more exciting than it was when I was at the top of the charts,” Carlisle says. “So, living each day to the fullest, I think, is the best part.”

For more on Belinda Carlisle, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

source: people.com