We have a situation—and it’s one of sobriety.
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has come a long way from his druggin’ and drinkin’ days on Jersey Shore. In fact, the clean-living reality TV star recently celebrated more than two years of sobriety!
Mike, 35, posted on Instagram on Sunday that he is 28 months clean and sober.
“Here is my 2-year medallion… we do recover,” Mike captioned a photo of the Narcotic Anonymous medallion he was given to commemorate the milestone of him reaching two years of sobriety.
“So proud of you!” Mike’s ‘Jersey Shore’ co-star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi wrote in the comment section of the post. “So honored to call you my family.”
‘Jersey Shore’ fans watched Mike’s long journey to sobriety. While living it up in the Shore House, Mike was also battling his personal demons. In 2012, Mike finally decided to check himself in to rehab to kick his bad habits once and for all. After checking into Cirque Lodge in Utah in March of 2012, Mike got clean only to relapse again a few months later.
During a recent episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, Mike credited his then-girlfriend (now-fiancé) Lauren Pesce with helping him through his relapses and getting him to stay sober. The two were college sweethearts and reconnected after the original ‘Jersey Shore’ ended.
Mike has said going back to the ‘Jersey Shore’ way of life while filming ‘Family Vacation’ was hard for him.
“I had to challenge myself to learn how to have fun, while my other roommates were doing their thing,” he told Us Weekly at the ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ Los Angeles premiere on March 29. “I had to learn to come from a place of staying in my own lane, running my own race. I have to be grateful and blessed that I’m doing this right now with my friends. I’m in a club listening to music, and I just had to learn how to have fun and dance without substance and/or drinking.”
While it’s not all sunshine and roses for Mike (after all, he is currently awaiting sentencing in his tax evasion trial), his future is definitely looking bright.
“I’m currently living the dream and proposed to my college sweetheart, Lauren Pesce, amongst my best friends on the biggest reality show in the country. We are so proud and excited to share this chapter of our story with the world,” he recently told Us Weekly.
Last month, Lauren took to Instagram to express how proud she is of Mike for turning his life around.
“Congratulations to this guy @mikethesituation,” she wrote in the caption of a photo of her and Mike. “I’ve watched him work hard in silence for years, personally and professionally, without getting any recognition. He didn’t do it for anyone to notice, he did it to better himself, his life and to create a healthy and positive future for us as a family. I am so proud of you for all you’ve overcome & the incredible man you are today. You inspire me everyday to be my best and I’m over the moon and filled with emotion that the world is finally able to see your true self at your core.”
The (Sober) Situation is currently starring on ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation,’ which airs Thursdays on MTV. Click here to read our recaps!
Related Story: Watch the ‘Jersey Shore’ Cast Watch Their Cringeworthy Audition Tapes From 2008
(Photos: MTV, Instagram)
12 Responses
I always loved Mike and now I am SO happy to see him healthy and sober. I saw the goodness buried by swagger and a desire to be an interesting “villain”. He now sees the advantages of good health gain by his courageous efforts. He was so blessed to meet Lauren. They can enjoy a peaceful, love-filled journey together. He said a “little Situation” will be very welcome – I hope they have a lovely family together! It is still “one day at a time”, it won’t get magically easy – stay strong. The rewards are great.
Im really happy for him. He uses to be such a dick. It really looks like he turned his life around and i hope he sticks with it. I really like the person hes become. Its really weird but he is like the voice of reason in the house now. Who woulda thought.. congrats!!
Way to go Sitch! That is impressive! Keep up the good work and we all like the new you. You seem to be one of the only Meatball crew to learn something from life. I wish you the best 🙂
He is a completely different person sober. He’s insightful and thoughtful, but still remains playful and funny. Congrats to him and to the happy couple! He has done the best thing he could ever do for himself. I wish him continued success on his recovery. You’re never fully recovered until you die dry, as they say.
Congrats Mike. I lost my dad to heroin 5 years ago. I find such joy and happiness being able to see an addict become truly clean. Thank you for showing me there is always hope. Stay on the right path. ❤️
He’s got his head straight. I see good things for his future. His calling out Ron on his bullshit was straight up amazing. Showing he really has learned from his experience.
I NEVER thought Mike would be one of my favourites on the Shore, but he has somehow achieved that goal! Congratulations Mike, you are a whole new person and it shows!
Congratulations Mike! The new you is really likable, I never thought you will become my favorite cast member! You are the only reason why I still tune in!
Note to Amber and all Teen Mom self-claimed “sober people”: where is you medallion and why don’t you know the exact date you stopped?! Because a true sober and clean person just like Mike knows it!
I like him a lot better sober! I wish Ron would do the same.
Congratulations Mike on this achievement. You should be extremely proud, not only if your sobriety but of your willingness to share openly and candidly your path to recovery with others and tell your story. If there’s hope for the future generations to end this drug epidemic, it’s gojbg to start when celebrities and people with influence start speaking up. Thank you.
He really seems to be a good, level headed guy now. Some of his roommates should listen to his words of wisdom and cautionary tales…psycho Ron.
I’m so happy for Mike ! He has come a long way and should be so proud ! I wish him and Lauren all the best !