Ryan Lochte Opens Up About Sobriety Journey After Near-Death Crash and Substance Abuse Struggles

Following his announcement of achieving over 54 days of sobriety, the former Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte shared his journey to recovery from substance abuse, a struggle that started after a car crash in 2023, in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly.

The 41-year-old Lochte informed Us, stating, “I fell into a cycle of depression that led to substance abuse.”

In November 2023, Lochte experienced what he described as a "near-death experience" when he was in a collision in Gainesville, Florida.

He was en route to collect his children when his vehicle collided with a stationary trash truck.

“I scared a lot of people,” he recounted in an interview with People several months following the event. “I scared myself.” He sustained a fractured leg and was transported immediately to a local hospital for surgery. After a three-day hospital stay, he embarked on several months of recuperation, involving physical therapy to regain his ability to walk.

In August, court documents filed by his estranged wife, Kayla Lochte, contained allegations that the Olympic athlete used drugs, with claims he even did so in the presence of one of their children. Ryan stated to Us, “I am not denying that I used drugs in my home, but I adamantly deny ever using drugs in front of or around my children, and I have never driven them while intoxicated.”

Now in recovery, Ryan further commented, “And I feel better and happier than I have in years.”

He expressed, “We all make mistakes in life. We are not defined by those mistakes, but by how we learn from them and the work we put in to overcome them. I am extremely sorry for hurting or disappointing anyone along the way. My focus now is on my recovery, on being the best father I can be, and on moving forward in a way that keeps my kids safe, supported, and loved.”

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Ryan concluded, “To anyone struggling with substance abuse: you are not alone. There are people who love you, and there are resources that can help. Reaching out for support is the first step toward healing.”

Ryan posted a video on social media on August 29, announcing his 54 days of sobriety.

“I wanted to share some positive updates in my life and what’s going on,” Ryan expressed. “I’m so happy right now, and the big reason is that I’m 54 days sober. Yes!”

Ryan mentioned he found himself in a "really dark place" following the accident, enduring "depression, loneliness and feeling like I was giving up in life.”

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The Olympian confessed that these struggles resulted in his substance abuse. He remarked, "With everything going on in my life, I needed to make a change.”

“I checked myself into a Florida recovery center,” Ryan elaborated. “The staff has been incredible. They helped me realize substance abuse isn’t a solution. It’s just a distraction that makes things worse.”

In his video, Ryan explained that his personal struggles prompted him to enter a treatment facility. “The staff has been incredible. They helped me realize substance abuse isn’t a solution. It’s just a distraction that makes things worse,” Ryan disclosed.

“I’m motivated and I’m moving forward,” Ryan clarified. “I wanted to share this with you guys, especially my fans, because you guys are so important to me. In life, you’re going to get knocked down or hit a roadblock. It’s not how you get knocked out. It’s how you get back up.”

Lochte achieved prominence as a highly decorated Olympic swimmer. He participated in the Olympic Games during 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. His accolades include 12 medals, six of which were gold.

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He married Kayla in September 2018. They are parents to three children: Caiden, aged 8, Liv, aged 5, and Georgia, aged 2.

As previously reported by Us, Kayla initiated divorce proceedings in June, concluding seven years of marriage. Her recent court filings requested sole custody of their children.

Should you or a loved one be contending with substance abuse, please reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).