“Vanderpump Rules”’ Tom Schwartz Learns His Brother Is Hospitalized, May Have Cirrhosis Due to ‘Dependency on Alcohol’

Tom Schwartz said he’s been “sober curious” after learning his younger brother was rushed to the hospital amid his struggle with alcohol use disorder

pCharles Sykes/Bravo via Getty/p Tom Schwartz

pCharles Sykes/Bravo via Getty/p Tom Schwartz

Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Tom Schwartz

Tom Schwartz[1] is opening up about his younger brother Robert “Bert” Schwartz’s struggle with alcohol use disorder.

On Tuesday’s episode of Vanderpump Rules[2], the 41-year-old tells Lisa Vanderpump[3] that he got “really bad news” about Bert, sharing that his brother had to be rushed to the hospital from rehab. He also thinks Bert might have cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is scarred and permanently damaged, according to the National Institutes of Health[4]. Scar tissue replaces healthy tissue and ultimately prevents the liver from working properly. One cause of cirrhosis is long term alcohol abuse.

Schwartz said Bert used to be “this ray of sunshine” until developed a “dependency on alcohol.” He admitted that the health scare has made him reflect on his own alcohol consumption and rethink how he drinks, aiming for “moderation.”

Later on the show, Schwartz told Lala Kent[5] — who celebrated five years of being sober back in October — that he’s been “sober curious” lately and even brought a non-alcoholic drink. However, Kent was skeptical and questioned what the phrase means.

Related: Tom Sandoval Says He's 'Taking a Little Break' from Alcohol, Hasn't Had a Drink in 1 Month[6]

pAmanda Edwards/Getty/p Tom Schwartz

pAmanda Edwards/Getty/p Tom Schwartz

Amanda Edwards/Getty

Tom Schwartz

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Back in 2018, Schwartz addressed his drinking habits during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen[8]. During the show, one fan called in and asked the reality star if he's “going to slow down on your drinking.”

“Without a doubt,” Schwartz replied as Cohen shared his skepticism because he’s known for often being drunk on the show.

Schwartz added, “I almost always practice moderation. I’ve had a sloppy few…”

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Read the original article on People[10].

References

  1. ^ Tom Schwartz (people.com)
  2. ^ Vanderpump Rules (people.com)
  3. ^ Lisa Vanderpump (people.com)
  4. ^ National Institutes of Health (www.niddk.nih.gov)
  5. ^ Lala Kent (people.com)
  6. ^ Tom Sandoval Says He's 'Taking a Little Break' from Alcohol, Hasn't Had a Drink in 1 Month (people.com)
  7. ^ PEOPLE's free daily newsletter (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
  8. ^ Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (people.com)
  9. ^ sign up for our newsletter! (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
  10. ^ People (people.com)