⁠Southern Charm Season 10 Episode 13: Craig opens up about addiction and Paige's role in his recovery

Southern Charm's most recent episode took an emotionally unvarnished turn that was unexpected. Fans finally got to see Craig Conover and Austen Kroll share their hearts. The longtime friends sat down for a much-needed talk while on holiday in the Bahamas.

For weeks, Austen felt abandoned and irritated by Craig's frequent absences from social gatherings. However, the true cause was not what he believed. Craig talked candidly about his battle with alcoholism in the latest episode of Southern Charm, revealing that he had been avoiding drunken evenings on purpose. He also acknowledged that Paige DeSorbo, his ex-girlfriend, helped him a lot to recover.

Messy friendships are nothing new to the program, which is set in Charleston's high society and unfolds with ample drama. However, this instance demonstrated that Southern Charm at times can be more than about simply social climbing and champagne toasts. It is also about personal development, facing difficult talks, and determining who is truly on your side.

Episode 13 of Southern Charm Season 10 is titled Sea's Just Not That Into You, and it aired on March 6, 2025. Read on to know more about the latest drama on the show.

What happened in Episode 13 of Southern Charm Season 10?

During their Bahamas heart-to-heart, Craig opened up to Austen about his battle with alcohol addiction, a topic he had previously touched on during the Season 9 reunion. Back then, he had admitted:

"I haven't drank liquor in two years but I had to make a massive change this summer. I'm an addict to that stuff."

In the latest episode of Southern Charm, Craig explained why he had been distancing himself from Austen, revealing that the reason wasn't a personal but a necessary one in his recovery journey.

"I was like, 'F— Me, like, trying not to be an alcoholic is now affecting my friendship with Austen.' That's where I was coming from," Craig said, visibly emotional.

He went on to elaborate:

"I have tears in my eyes because it's real. I was in the trenches by myself trying to better myself."

Craig further explained his need to avoid temptation:

"I gotta stay on my couch. I leave my couch, I'm going to drink a bottle of Jaeger and do dumb s—."

Alhough Southern Charm's Craig and Paige ended their three-year relationship in November 2024, he credited her as being instrumental in his sobriety journey.

"She was right with me this entire time," Craig told Austen.

He added:

"There's a reason that me and Paige are so close. I just could not imagine being closer to someone."

The Sewing Down South founder expressed immense gratitude toward Paige, saying:

"I'm so lucky that she chose to be like, 'I see someone there.' She helped me, like, beat this demon."

Craig’s recent lifestyle changes make sense when you consider what he revealed in December 2024. At the time, he reflected on how his relationship had evolved, explaining that while he and his partner used to be out all the time when they first started dating, they had naturally shifted into a more low-key routine, preferring to unwind at home over hitting the party scene.

Austen, however, had completely misread the situation. He assumed Craig was carefully curating an image, keeping a distance to maintain appearances. It was not until their conversation that he realized Craig did not mean to dodge him — he was grappling with something much bigger.

When Austen suggested that Craig should loosen up a bit, the latter shut the idea down. There was no room for flexibility because he wasn’t just enforcing rules on himself, he had no control at all. That, he admitted, was the reality of addiction.

When Craig used the word "addict" for the first time in front of Austen, the latter reacted sympathetically:

"I am very sorry for not understanding what you were going through."

The emotional conversation ended with a reconciliation between the longtime friends and podcast co-hosts.

"I'm sorry that I never told you. I'm sorry that you thought I just didn't f—ing like you. I should've told you. I love you," Craig said.

Austen, in his typical style, responded with affection wrapped in humor:

"I love you, dude. Doesn't mean that I don't think you're a b–tch."

Other highlights from the episode

This latest episode of Southern Charm also featured Venita addressing inconsistencies in how her interactions with JT were portrayed on the show, clarifying that she was unaware he was in a relationship during their earlier encounters.

Meanwhile, Shep continued navigating the aftermath of his breakup with Sienna, gifting her a megalodon tooth necklace during dinner. When Sienna pointed out that Shep had given his ex, Taylor, a similar gift, he defensively replied:

"That was a great white, not a megalodon."

During their conversation, Shep expressed his ongoing reluctance to define relationships, saying he hated the concept of labels.

It will be interesting for Southern Charm fans to see how Craig's recovery journey affects his relationships with Austen and the other cast members as Season 10 progresses. Given their public disputes and the manner in which their relationship had ended, Craig and Paige's post-breakup dynamics will probably continue to develop.

Southern Charm will aim to continue striking a mix between trademark Southern drama and deeper discussions on human development and responsibility, in the remaining episodes of the season.

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Catch Southern Charm Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.