Carla Bruni says she still manages her alcohol and tobacco addictions

The French singer and former model Carla Bruni says she still lives with addiction to alcohol and tobacco.

She describes using them for years to numb painful emotions and help her keep going.

Bruni says she has stopped drinking after agreeing to her daughter Giulia’s request for a year without alcohol.

She says she has found pleasure in sobriety, but does not consider the addiction fully behind her.

To stay sober, she draws on ideas from Alcoholics Anonymous, including its 12-step approach, though she has not formally followed the program.

Bruni says her husband, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, helped her feel protected while she was first lady.

She remains vigilant partly to protect her children from developing the same problem.