Kate Ritchie reveals professional help got her life back on track after drink ... trends now Kate Ritchie reveals why her months-long career break and rehab stint for alcohol dependency was 'a long time coming' - as she returns to the airwaves with Fitzy & Wippa By Jimmy Briggs For Daily Mail Australia Published: 23:11 GMT, 11 March 2023 | Updated: 23:18 GMT, 11 March 2023 Viewcomments Kate Ritchie has reflected on her decision to get professional help after her shock drink driving charge in August. In December, Daily Mail Australia broke the news Ritchie had entered an exclusive private mental health facility in Sydney to help treat her alcohol dependency. The former Home And Away star, 44, told The Sunday Telegraph this weekend that after struggling with several personal challenges last year she decided it was time to seek help. 'It was a long time coming. I sought professional help, the help that I needed. Sometimes enough is enough,' she said. 'Life has thrown me its challenges over the last few years, but I am not alone in that. I was fortunate to be able to take time. Kate Ritchie, 44, (pictured) has revealed she received professional help to get her life back on track after her shock drink driving charge in August 'I gained clarity and that is why I feel so good about coming back now,' she added. Kate's new lease on life comes ahead of her new radio hosting gig starting Monday on Nova's new Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie breakfast show. 'I just wanted to be a better version of myself for me and my family. I am coming back clear and refreshed.' In October, Kate announced she was stepping away from the Kate, Tim and Joel show in October, before it was revealed she was seeking treatment at an exclusive rehab clinic in Sydney. The Home And Away star told The Sunday Telegraph that after struggling with several personal challenges last year she decided it was time to seek help In December, Daily Mail Australia broke the news Ritchie had entered an exclusive private mental health facility in Sydney to help treat her alcohol dependency In December, she said in a statement that the last year had been challenging and stressful which led to an 'unhealthy reliance on alcohol'. Ritchie returned a reading of 0.06 - just over the legal limit - when she was stopped by police for a random breath test in her station wagon at Pagewood at 2.45pm on August 22. She was fined $600, suspended from driving for three months, and apologised on Instagram. 'Recently I undertook a random breath test,' she wrote. 'Although it was low level, the test came back positive. 'I made a poor decision and there is no doubt I understand the seriousness of my actions. I am truly sorry.' Kate's new lease on life comes ahead of her new radio hosting gig starting Monday on Nova's new Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie breakfast show. (L-R: Ryan 'Fitzy' FItzgerald, Kate Ritchie, Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli) Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility