Brittany Cartwright is opening up about her ex-partner Jax Taylor's confession regarding his battle with addiction. During the March 4th episode of Bravo's 'Hot Mic' podcast, Taylor, 45, disclosed to host Alex Baskin that he has been grappling with "substance issues, primarily cocaine," for two decades. Furthermore, he expressed pride in his current 83-day sobriety streak, adding, "People often inquire about my alcohol consumption, and while I don't necessarily view myself as having an alcohol problem, the two are intertwined. I can't do cocaine without drinking, so I've abstained from both."
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Cartwright, 36, offered her perspective, stating, "I'm relieved that he's finally come clean about what was truly going on." She continued, "For the very first time, I feel empowered to speak openly about the profound trauma he has inflicted upon our family over the years. I've made earnest attempts to assist him, but to no avail. I sincerely hope he one day overcomes this addiction, but I remain cautious. His actions remain deeply concerning, and his treatment approach seems barely adequate."
Cartwright elaborated, "I'm striving to manage this situation as gracefully as possible for my son and myself, but each day presents a formidable challenge. Jax has wrought immense havoc, and my trust in him is severely diminished. My sole aspiration is that one day, he will evolve into a better person for his son's sake."
She intends to cast further light on this matter during her podcast, "When Reality Hit," specifically during the episode set to air on Friday, March 7th. It was back in 2015, a decade ago, when this former duo first crossed paths. Ever since, their romance has been chronicled across various platforms, including "Vanderpump Rules," their spin-off "Jax & Brittany Take Kentucky," and most recently, "The Valley."
News of their separation emerged just ahead of "The Valley's" premiere in February 2024. Six months later, Cartwright initiated divorce proceedings, citing irreconcilable differences and seeking both legal and physical custody of their son, Cruz, who was born in 2021. Court documents reveal that Taylor agreed to grant Cartwright full custody of Cruz in September of that year.
Throughout their separation, it came to light that Taylor had chosen to undergo inpatient treatment for his mental health issues. "Jax has never shied away from discussing his mental health struggles, particularly in recent months on his podcast," a representative for Taylor shared with PEOPLE when he first entered treatment in July. "This is an incredibly delicate time for him and his family. They kindly request privacy and respect until he feels comfortable speaking more on this matter."
In a teaser for the upcoming season of "The Valley" – whose release date remains under wraps – Cartwright reveals that she and Taylor are still co-parenting but hints at chaos unraveling in their lives. An insider told PEOPLE in August that season 2 would leave viewers astounded, particularly when it comes to Cartwright and Taylor's relationship. "As the new season of 'The Valley' unfolds, numerous shocking revelations will surface," the source said at the time. "With no topics off-limits, this could very well turn out to be the most unpredictable and unfiltered season in reality television history."
