“IT’S OFFICIAL!” — David Bromstad is officially returning with a new HGTV special after taking a year away to focus on healing, “It’s time for me to face it” while the true reason behind that break still isn’t fully clear

Beloved HGTV star David Bromstad is officially back on screens after a year-long hiatus dedicated to personal healing.

The colorful designer stars in the emotional one-hour special My Lottery Dream Home: David’s Happy Ending, which premiered last month.

Bromstad paused his dream home renovation—and his career—to confront deep-seated issues that had plagued him for years.

“This show is far more than a home makeover,” Bromstad declared in the special.

“It represents my profound healing journey at a critical moment in my life.”

Viewers watched as Bromstad bravely shared his path to recovery, including facing unresolved childhood trauma.

He revealed being severely bullied as a gay teenager, leading to depression and a facade of perpetual cheerfulness.

That mask, while protective in youth, eventually became unsustainable under mounting stress.

The breaking point came during his Florida home renovation, devastated by a massive storm causing flooding and mold.

Forced to demolish the house to the studs, Bromstad spiraled into despair amid financial and emotional strain.

He admitted turning to stimulants and substances to cope with overwhelming pressure and buried pain.

“I got into unhealthy behaviors—it was an easy escape from distress,” Bromstad confessed.

“I knew I was in serious trouble and screaming for help.”

Recognizing the crisis, he checked himself into a trauma-based rehab facility for months.

There, he confronted childhood wounds head-on, including family struggles and identity suppression.

Bromstad also took a restorative trip to Norway, reconnecting with his ancestral roots for inspiration.

The year-long break allowed him to achieve sobriety—he is now approaching three years clean.

Emerging stronger, he pivoted his home design to reflect authentic self-expression over fantasy.

Fans have praised his vulnerability, calling it inspiring and brave.

Yet the revelations spark debate: Should celebrities expose such raw struggles on family-friendly networks?

Does glorifying recovery risk normalizing addiction, or does it destigmatize mental health?

Bromstad insists sharing his truth was essential.

“I’m proud of the struggles I’ve overcome,” he said.

“This is me showing up fully, without hiding.”

His return signals resilience, but questions linger about the toll of fame on personal demons.

As Bromstad rebuilds his life and home, viewers are left pondering the cost of perfection in the spotlight.

The special highlights how trauma, unchecked, can resurface catastrophically—even for the eternally optimistic.

Bromstad’s story divides opinions: heroic transparency or oversharing for ratings?

One thing is undeniable—his comeback is profoundly personal and unapologetically real.