{"id":2204486,"date":"2025-12-18T18:55:41","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:55:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2204486"},"modified":"2025-12-18T18:55:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:55:41","slug":"hgtvs-david-bromstad-opens-up-about-using-substances-and-spiraling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/hgtvs-david-bromstad-opens-up-about-using-substances-and-spiraling\/","title":{"rendered":"HGTV’s David Bromstad Opens Up About \u2018Using Substances\u2019 and \u2018Spiraling\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

HGTV<\/a> star David Bromstad<\/strong><\/a> opened up about \u201cusing substances\u201d<\/a> and starting to \u201cspiral\u201d when his dream home renovation turned into a nightmare.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got into some unhealthy behaviors and it\u2019s really easy to go there when you\u2019re under distress,\u201d Bromstad, 52, revealed in a preview of his new HGTV special, which was published by People<\/em><\/a> on Thursday, December 18. \u201cUsing substances has been \u2026 it\u2019s a real easy escape to take yourself out of a stressful situation. I knew I was in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bromstad had no idea about the trials and tribulations that awaited him when he embarked on filming My Lottery Dream Home: David\u2019s Happy Ending<\/em><\/a>, where cameras followed him remodeling his \u201cforever home.\u201d More than 250 days into the remodeling process, a storm caused severe structural damage that required Bromstad to demolish his new residence down to the studs and start over.<\/p>\n

The HGTV host admitted in this preview clip that he felt \u201cemotionally attached\u201d to the property after putting so much time and effort into the renovation. It ultimately took four years for him to finally finish work on his Florida home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever happens to the house feels like it\u2019s happening to you deep within,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Bromstad confessed that his \u201cmind was going crazy\u201d over the thought of starting from scratch, so he leaned on \u201csubstances\u201d to cope.<\/p>\n

Speaking to TV Insider<\/em><\/a>, Bromstad addressed why it was \u201cimportant\u201d for him to touch on substance use and childhood trauma in My Lottery Dream Home: David\u2019s Happy Ending<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was important for me to open up about the reality of my life,\u201d he said. \u201cI have a very blessed and incredible life, and I do know this. But it doesn\u2019t negate the fact that I\u2019ve had really hard times in my existence. I only allowed people to see the bright and shiny parts of me because that was all I was willing to accept from myself. So, to tell my honest and unapologetically unique story has been something I\u2019ve been looking forward to, but I didn\u2019t want to rush it, and I wanted it to be at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bromstad pointed out that, while he is naturally a \u201cbright and shiny person,\u201d he endures struggles and trauma just like anyone else.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>

\n David Bromstad on \u2018My Lottery Dream Home: David\u2019s Happy Ending\u2019<\/span> Courtesy HGTV\/YouTube<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThat [happy] version of myself came from past childhood traumas, and that version of myself saved me back then,\u201d he noted. \u201cIt got me the job on HGTV, it has propelled so many unique and beautiful versions of myself, until it started to destroy me. Because it\u2019s unsustainable for someone to be that authentically happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bromstad went on, \u201cYou can\u2019t have the bright and shining times without the darkness. I don\u2019t push away the darkness. I bring it in because I know the darkness only makes my bright and shiny parts shine that much bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bromstad credited HGTV with letting him delve into his past traumas on My Lottery Dream Home: David\u2019s Happy Ending<\/em>, rather than pretend everything was going well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHGTV has always been my biggest champion. They celebrated me being gay when I didn\u2019t even celebrate it myself,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI got onto television when gay was still new to the media. There wasn\u2019t a lot of representation that was real. It was because of HGTV that I was able to accept that version of myself that there was nothing to be ashamed of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
\"HGTV<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t
\n Related: <\/span>HGTV Fall 2025 TV Schedule for New and Returning Shows<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tHGTV is the place to be with new and returning home renovation TV shows including My Lottery Dream Home, Fixer to Fabulous and more \u2014 but when is each program airing? The network initially made headlines over the summer when Battle on the Beach, Farmhouse Fixer, Married to Real Estate, Bargain Block and Izzy Does [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

He continued, \u201cFor them to wrap their arms around me during this very real time of my life has been such a blessing. HGTV always continues to surprise me with the encouragement of authenticity, even when it isn\u2019t pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bromstad previously hinted at coming out of a difficult period in 2023 while on a trip to Norway. He wrote via Instagram<\/a> about how climbing \u201c2000 steps of pure terrifying exhilaration\u201d on Norwegian mountain range Reinebringen was symbolic of that time in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile climbing up I tried not to look down at where I was as it gave me that feeling of dread but after I got up and started to come back down, that dread turned into confidence,\u201d he shared. \u201cI could honestly stand on any step and put my arms out and close my eyes and feel present in that moment. The dread turned into accomplishment which in turned made my cry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n