Liza Minnelli, 80, 'Grateful to Be Alive' Amid Substance Use Disorder Diagnosis and Recovery Journey: 'Thank God'

Liza Minnelli is "grateful to be alive."

The legendary actress and singer opened up about her substance abuse disorder diagnosis in a Tuesday, September 1, Instagram post honoring National Recovery Month.

"Hey kids, am grateful to be alive and able to honor National Recovery Month," the 80-year-old wrote. "Yes, even at 80...we can still be kids. I feel d--- childlike on days that make me vulnerable to my disease."

The star uploaded photos of herself with friends throughout the years, featuring a young Minnelli smiling alongside Michael Jackson and even her late mother, Judy Garland.

"Thank God I have so much support," she gushed. "I’m helped by my darling sister Lorna Luft, who saved my life, my dearest friend, Michael Feinstein, and the incredible Dr. Lawrence Piro."

Minnelli announced she had begun working with specialists at the University of California, Los Angeles' Psychology Clinic, to develop a program that will "bring the lessons learned from a lifetime of recovery, high notes and low notes, to as many people as possible."

"We’re bringing care to the people who need recovery, as well as guidance for those — like Michael and Lorna — who support us," she continued.

"Family, friends, husbands, wives, children, colleagues...must know how to help us," Minnelli added. "Not enable us. I’ve lost too many people I love. I know this: without sobriety, we will die."

Minnelli's mother, in fact, died of a barbiturate overdose in 1969 after struggling with a lifelong substance abuse disorder, which included a reliance on sleeping pills and amphetamines.

"Keep an eye on this page, kids," Minnelli encouraged her followers. "More will be shared soon, and I’m excited to start spreading the news and help as many people as we can. I love you."

The actress opened up about her history of substance abuse in her Kids, Wait Till You Hear This memoir, which was released in March 2026 and quickly skyrocketed on The New York Times bestseller list.

"Growing up, I met a lot of people who popped too many pills, drank too much and played games with dangerous drugs. They eventually stumbled and fell,” she explained. "I’d had a front-row seat to Mama’s demons, but I was convinced I was different. I was too smart for that."

Minnelli, who is now sober, revealed that she thought she had her substance use under control as a young star, especially after her mother's death.

"What began as a one-day blessing soon turned into a habit, then a full-blown case of addiction in the years ahead," she later added in an excerpt shared by People. "It was a final gift, a genetic inheritance from Mama I could not escape."

After multiple relapses and trips to rehab, the actress called sobriety "amazing."

"And if I fall down...in other words, if I fell off the program... I'd go right back in and fight again," she exclaimed. "Don't give up. There's fun. There's good out there."