Patricia Heaton, known for her role on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” recently shared her decision to become sober 10 years ago. In an interview with Woman’s World, Heaton discussed her experiences during the pandemic and how it impacted her life choices.

“Right before the pandemic, my children had left home and I wasn’t working. The things that had always anchored me – my family and my work – were gone,” Heaton said. This major shift made her question how she should spend her days.

Heaton revealed that her alcohol consumption gradually increased. “A glass of wine while cooking became wine with dinner, wine while cleaning up, and wine while watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! One night I realized I had almost finished an entire bottle by myself,” She said.

God, I think you want me to stop drinking. I would be willing to stop, but you have to make it happen because I can’t. I’m willing, but I’m unable. – Patricia Heaton

This moment marked a change in how Heaton viewed alcohol, leading her to turn to her faith for support. “I said a prayer: ‘God, I think you want me to stop drinking. I would be willing, but you have to make it happen because I can’t,’” she recalled.

The decision was confirmed during an interaction with her sons. She struggled to pronounce a word correctly, prompting her youngest to comment on her speech. The incident left her mortified, and she felt it was the wake-up call she needed. “The next morning I said, ‘Okay, God. Message received.’ That was eight years ago,” she stated.

Heaton is a proud mother of four: Samuel, John, Joseph, and Daniel, sharing these children with her husband, British actor and director David Hunt, whom she married in 1990.

This story provides a glimpse into Patricia Heaton’s personal journey toward sobriety and the pivotal moments that guided her.