The New York Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio’s 19 year old daughter, Chiara de Blasio, has explained to the world in a YouTube video released today, Christmas Eve, about her struggles with drugs, alcohol and depression most of her life.

Rumors have been circling the city about possible substance abuse for months with her father’s campaign doing constant damage control.

Explaining her struggles as “bartering for equally bad outcomes,” Chiara said: “I’d be like, ‘Oh I won’t drink, and then I would just like smoke weed, and then I would be like, ‘Oh, I’m not going to smoke weed, and then I’d just drink,” Chiara says in the video.

Ms. de Blasio said she had sought treatment for her struggles and had gone to a group therapy treatment center in New York.

“Getting sober is always a positive thing. And it’s not easy. … It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But it’s so worth it,” Chiara says directly to the camera, as somber music plays in the background. In it, she talking about her clinical depression and use of marijuana and alcohol.

In a statement, Bill de Blasio and his wife Chirlane called their daughter’s decision to share her story “courageous,” and noted that the holidays can be particularly difficult times for people struggling with the issues she did.

“As parents, our instinct has been to protect our daughter and privately help her through a deeply personal struggle,” the de Blasios said. “But not only has Chiara committed to her own health, she is also committed to helping young people everywhere who face similar challenges.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons