'Inmates are allowed to drink?' Internet confused as Gypsy Rose Blanchard opens up about her sobriety journey in prison

LOUSIANA, UNITED STATES: The internet, previously engrossed in the intricate tale of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, a former convict involved in Dee Dee's 2015 murder, now seems perplexed as the 32-year-old shares insights into her sober life post-prison release.

The woman, now relishing her post-prison life with her husband Ryan Anderson, candidly discussed her journey to sobriety after battling addiction issues in the past.

What did Gypsy Rose say about addiction?

Gypsy Rose, who became popular on the internet as she celebrated her freedom with selfies, indulged in food from her favorite fast-food chains such as McDonald's and Burger King, and enjoyed the New Year with her husband and family, has once again made headlines.

Her candid revelations about her sober life after a shocking childhood and prison term have left the online community intrigued and somewhat perplexed, per People.

At the premiere of her Lifetime docuseries, 'The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard', in New York City on Friday, Blanchard expressed, "You know, it's been really nice not feeling like I had to cope using drugs or opiates."

"I think now my coping skills have grown to the fact that I can take a breath, even if something chaotic is going on in my life, and I don't automatically go to drugs," she added.

She explained that in such situations, "I take a beat and just kind of reflect, and take a moment of solidarity and bring myself back to my center."

Gypsy Rose didn't want to come out of prison as an 'addict'

Gypsy Rose had pleaded guilty to the murder of her abusive mother, Clauddine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard, back in 2015 and was sentenced to 10 years at the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri. She was released on parole on December 28, 2023.

Blanchard reportedly made a conscious decision to embrace sobriety prior to her release from prison. This decision was for her own well-being as well as for her family, which now includes her husband Ryan Anderson.

The couple tied the knot while she was still incarcerated, on July 21, 2022.

"I didn't want to come out of prison being an addict anymore," she stated. "So I wanted to come out of prison a new woman, and I knew that it was something that I had to do. It was something I had to get over."

Gypsy Rose's husband 'never known her as an addict'

Anderson, aged 37 shared with People that his perception of his wife has transformed following her decision to embrace sobriety, and he never met knew her when she was an addict.

"You know, I've never known her as [an addict]," the special education teacher stated. "So she, like, ever since I've known her, she hasn't been that. So it's one of those where I know the new Gypsy."

"I just want her to know I'm here for her. You know, I show her and I tell her all the time," Anderson added. 

Internet confused as Gypsy Rose claims she was an addict

The internet went abuzz with confusion as Gypsy Rose candidly discussed her journey toward sobriety.

A user commented on Facebook, "Inmates are allowed to drink??" "So whilst in prison she was an alcoholic???" asked another. 

Another user also wondered, "I'm confused. How could she be an addict in prison?" "Sobriety???" questioned another in confusion.

"Sober life? So she was doing drugs and drinking in prison? According to the Hulu movie she wasn’t," mentioned another. A person also asked, "What is she sober from?"

However, one person provided an explanation as they wrote, "Sobriety isn't a term used only for alcoholics. Drugs are available in prison. She was addicted to suboxone which she was able to get from other inmates."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.