Abby Wambach says she abused alcohol and prescription drugs for years until her arrest for driving under the influence in April.
"I was stubborn and I was in denial," said Wambach. "I didn't want to face the truth."
Wambach struggled with with vodka and pills, which included Vicodin, Ambien and Adderall.
"That night getting arrested was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Because if I don't get so publicly shamed and publicly humiliated, I don't think I wake up," she said as she prepared for a book tour. "I think I was asleep for a lot of years. Asleep to the pleas from my family and friends, and even myself, to get help. So that night I was humiliated enough to wake up."
Wambach says she has been sober since the night she was pulled over in Portland, Oregon, after dinner with friends.