Lucy Hale is celebrating a significant milestone in her life: two and a half years of sobriety. The actress, best known for her role in Pretty Little Liars, is now using her platform to share her journey and inspire others. Recently, Hale was honored with the 2024 Humanitarian Award from Friendly House, a women’s addiction recovery center, for her efforts to raise awareness and support for addiction recovery.

Reflecting on her journey, Hale candidly admits that her initial goal was not to become a symbol of sobriety. “When I got sober, my intention was never to be the poster child of sobriety,” she tells PEOPLE. “But when I began speaking about it, it came from a place of needing to heal and take my power back.” The actress’s openness about her struggles has resonated with many, and she considers the positive feedback from those who relate to her story to be a profound reward.

Hale’s battle with alcohol began in her teenage years, stemming from feelings of isolation and misunderstanding. “Since a very young age, I always felt alone and misunderstood,” she recalls. “So as a teenager, I found alcohol—which of course shut my brain off. And it worked for me for a while, until it turned really dark.

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