Craig Conover explained that he drifted away from Austen Kroll when he dated Paige DeSorbo as she helped him on his sobriety journey.
During March 6th’s episode of Southern Charm, Craig confessed his struggles with drinking to Austen.
Craig and Austen’s fractured friendship:
Austen thought Craig’s (then) commitment to the model/influencer caused him to create a new ‘straight-laced’ persona.
He explained, “If I’m being honest, I feel like where all the disconnect has come is you’ve created this wonderful image of yourself and you’re terrified of disappointing someone or something.”
“It’s like Craig doesn’t want to hang or do this because he’s got the image to protect,” continued Austen. “You’ve just gotten drunk on nice guy Craig. I just want you to loosen the reins a little bit.”
Craig confessed to Austen that he was addicted to alcohol:
“I can’t [hang out] because I don’t have any leash on myself. That’s any addict.”
“I was like, ‘F*ck me. Trying not to be an alcoholic is now affecting my friendship with Austen.’ And that’s where I was coming from. Like, I have tears in my eyes because it’s real,” emoted Craig.
“I was in the trenches by myself trying to better my life and then you were like, ‘Oh, you’re never with me anymore,'” the Sewing Down South owner continued. “I’m like, ‘Dude, I can’t. I gotta stay home on my couch because if I leave my couch, I’m gonna drink a bottle of Jäger and do dumb sh*t.'”
Austen was flabbergasted by Craig’s revelation:
“The word ‘addict’ you’ve never used with me,” noted Austen.
And for Craig, he admitted that he never “said it out loud” until seeing co-star Shep Rose get blackout drunk during the cast trip to the Bahamas.
“I was like, ‘This is why I don’t [drink] anymore.’”
“I’m really lucky, dude. I’m lucky I got out of it. That’s why I can comment on Shep; he’s not out of it,” added the Spritz Society investor.
Lo and behold, Paige was a pivotal part in Craig becoming sober:
Austen apologized for not fully understanding what he was going through in his relationship with Paige, whom Craig credited for helping him sober up. “She was right with me this entire time. There’s a reason me and Paige are so close. I could just not imagine being closer to someone.”
He continued to gush about his then-girlfriend. “I am so lucky that she chose me. I see someone there. She helped me beat this demon. It’s been a struggle, and it’s been a fight. I guess I shouldn’t have internalized it, but that’s what’s been going on.”
