You remember the tongue-wagging, the foam finger, and that 2013 VMA performance that basically broke the internet before breaking the internet was a cliché. For a long time, Miley Cyrus was the poster child for "wild child" rebellion. She wasn't just using substances; she was making them her entire brand. But things look a lot different in 2026.
Honestly, the Miley Cyrus sober journey isn't some boring, preachy PSA about clean living. It’s actually kind of intense. She recently told Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 that her sobriety is like "her God." That’s a heavy word to use. She isn't just "not drinking"—she’s living for the clarity that comes with it.
What Triggered the Change?
It wasn't just one bad night or a typical Hollywood intervention. It was actually her throat. Back in late 2019, Miley had to undergo major vocal cord surgery. The diagnosis was Reinke’s edema—basically, her vocal cords were swollen and "abused" from years of touring, talking, and, as she admitted, a lot of smoking and drinking after every show.
The surgery forced her into silence. Literally. She couldn't speak for weeks. That kind of forced stillness makes you think.
When she finally came out the other side, she realized she didn't want to wake up groggy anymore. She wanted to be "100 percent, 100 percent of the time." That’s been her mantra for years now. She’s mentioned in interviews that being sober isn't about being "no fun"—it’s about being ready for whatever opportunity drops in her lap without having to "get ready" first.
The Relapse Nobody Talks About
Most celebrity stories try to be perfect. Miley’s isn’t. She’s been very open about the fact that she "fell" during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. Who didn't struggle then, right?
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She didn't beat herself up about it, though. She looked at it as a necessary lesson. She’s said that she needed to experience those "not my best" moments to eventually write "Flowers." That song wasn't just a radio hit; it was her "key into the lock of all healing." It’s fascinating because it shows that her sobriety isn't a straight line. It's more of a messy, human evolution.
The "California Sober" Debate
For a while, people were confused about where she stood. Is she totally sober? Does she still smoke weed?
In 2024 and 2025, she cleared the air. While she used to be "California sober" (which usually means skipping booze but keeping the weed), she’s moved closer to total abstinence. She’s joked about taking a tiny puff of her mom Tish’s weed and feeling like she couldn't drive for three days because it hit her so hard. Nowadays, she mostly just avoids it all. She’s found new "medicines" to keep her grounded.
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- Gardening: She calls it her secret weapon. Nurturing a seed in the ground is a private win that has nothing to do with fame.
- EMDR Therapy: She’s used this to process the trauma of being a child star.
- Family History: She did a deep dive into her genealogy and realized addiction and mental health struggles ran in both the Cyrus and Finley lines.
Why She Isn't Touring (And Probably Won't)
This is the part that bums out fans, but it makes total sense for her health. Miley has been very vocal about why a massive world tour for Something Beautiful or Endless Summer Vacation isn't happening.
Touring is an athletic event. The stress, the chemicals your body produces when you're performing for thousands of people—it’s a massive trigger. She’s protective of her "new" voice. She still has a large polyp on her cords that she refuses to have removed because she’s scared of losing her signature rasp. Singing with it is like "running a marathon with ankle weights." To stay Miley Cyrus sober, she has to stay home, sleep in her own bed, and avoid the "bus life" that led to her old habits.
The Takeaway for the Rest of Us
Miley’s story matters because it shifts the narrative from "rehab" to "lifestyle design." She’s not just avoiding a bottle; she’s redesigning her entire existence so she doesn't want the bottle.
If you're looking at your own habits, here’s what we can actually learn from her:
1. Understand your "Why"
For Miley, it was her voice and her legacy. For you, it might be your kids, your career, or just not wanting to feel like trash every Monday morning.
2. Identify your triggers
She realized touring and certain social circles made it impossible to stay clean. She chose her health over a paycheck. Sometimes you have to say no to the "big thing" to keep the "important thing."
3. Replace, don't just remove
She didn't just stop partying; she started gardening and doing yoga. You can't just leave a hole where a habit used to be. You have to fill it with something that makes you feel "100 percent."
4. Be okay with the "stigma"
People told her she’d be boring. She proved them wrong by winning Grammys and looking healthier than ever at 33. Being "fun" is a state of mind, not a state of intoxication.
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At the end of the day, Miley Cyrus is proof that you can change your entire identity if you’re willing to be honest with yourself. She’s no longer the girl on the wrecking ball; she’s the woman in the garden, and she seems a lot happier there.