Bristol Palin Marks 1-Year Sobriety Milestone Amid Facial Paralysis Battle

Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, is celebrating a noteworthy achievement as she continues to face personal health challenges. The 34-year-old mother of three revealed via social media that she has officially hit the one-year mark of sobriety.

"365 days without alcohol," she shared on her Instagram story. "Which sounds dramatic because I've never been a big ‘drinker.’ But this year of having a completely sober mind has allowed me to reevaluate a lot. I don't want to alter the state of my mind, and don't want to 'take the edge off' of anything. 10/10 would recommend."

Her sobriety milestone arrives during ongoing struggles with facial paralysis, a condition she disclosed earlier this year. In February, Palin detailed her experience with the paralysis, which affects the entire left side of her face.

"If I just keep my mouth shut, it's not as noticeable," she explained to her followers. "We are day 35, officially five weeks since the left side of my face went paralyzed. I still have no muscle movement on the left side. I don't really feel much."

Palin recounted how the ordeal began unexpectedly on January 29, describing a "weird sensation" in her face. Within hours, the left side of her face became numb and paralyzed, rendering her unable to blink her eye or move facial muscles.

She sought medical attention immediately, undergoing tests and scans that ultimately came back inconclusive. Doctors suggested the paralysis might be linked to Bell’s palsy, a condition characterized by sudden muscle weakness on one side of the face, potentially triggered by stress or sleep deprivation.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Bell’s palsy is typically short-term, though its exact cause remains unknown. Palin noted that she had been prescribed steroids and other medications during her treatment, but progress has been slow.

Despite the challenges, she shared signs of improvement in recent updates, expressing gratitude for the gradual return of sensation. "I know I look crazy right now, but this has been such an improvement from what I was looking like," she admitted. "It’s been a little painful the last two days, which is a good sign. It’s a good indication that it’s getting better. Praise the Lord!"

Reflecting on the experience, Palin said she’s developed a deeper appreciation for her health and appearance, humorously vowing to be less critical of herself in the future. "The next time I look in the mirror and pick myself apart—like, 'Oh, my nose is long. I want a nose job'—I’m going to remember this and just be so thankful for a normal, functioning face. This has been wild."

While her journey is far from over, Palin’s resilience and candid updates have resonated with her followers, many of whom have expressed admiration for her strength and positivity.