Kim Richards went to rehab for alcohol treatment eight months ago, and sister Kyle Richards says their relationship is finally getting back on track.

In an interview with People magazine, Kyle Richards dished about the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star.

EXCLUSIVE: Kyle Richards on her sister Kim: I hope she's 'sober for the rest of her life' https://t.co/xjCjUMUn2X pic.twitter.com/qBdhSomBUh

— People magazine (@people) December 9, 2015

“I spoke to Kim the other day and she was confident and strong,” Kyle explains. “I was like, ‘Yes! Let’s keep you here.’ There are no guarantees, but I’m excited and hopeful.”

Kyle grew up idolizing Kim Richards, who is five years her senior. The sisters were frequently fighting, however.

“I thought she was so magical,” Kyle says. “But on the other side of that, we would fight. Kim would scratch me until she drew blood and I’d bite her and leave marks. I thought it was normal!”

Kim Richards’ problem with alcohol addiction was exacerbated after both sisters signed with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It even became a storyline on the show.

Kyle says the two were raised to keep personal issues private, so it was hard seeing all of Kim’s dirty laundry aired on the reality show.

“I used to be very angry with Kim about her issues,” Kyle says. “We had so many fights over the years. But seeing the show in season 1 opened my eyes a lot. People were like, ‘Poor Kim,’ and I was like, ‘Wait, I thought we were the victims!’ It made me realize, alcoholism is a disease and she can’t help this. It taught me a lot.”

As Kim Richards’ problems grew even worse, the two sisters became estranged–a separation that lasted nearly a year. It was during that estrangement that Kim was arrested for public intoxication in a Beverly Hills hotel this past April.

“I was in shock,” Kyle says of the arrest. “It was upsetting and I knew she would be beating herself up about it.”

These days Kyle Richards is “cautiously optimistic” about Kim maintaining her sobriety, and the two sisters are working to get their relationship back on track. Her wish for Kim Richards is a lifetime of sobriety.

Kyle Richards — Return to 'RHOBH' Is Saving My Sister Kim's Life https://t.co/D5NcfRl2Zf

— TMZ (@TMZ) December 8, 2015

“I just hope Kim will be healthy, happy and sober for the rest of her life,” she says. “She’s got four amazing kids, she’s an incredible mom and she has a lot to look forward to.”

Do you expect Kim is truly on the road to recovery? Might her “back on track” relationship with Kyle help her as she works toward her goals?