When musicians chase dreams of superstardom, even the most successful can get caught in addictions that cause broken relationships, missed opportunities, and financial ruin. Still, many performers who have dealt with addiction have learned to cope with the temptations that come with playing bar gigs or lonely nights on the road and are experiencing a lot of success in their recovery. Now, many of these musicians are sober proud and ready to share their stories so they can inspire others to get sober.
TIM MCGRAW
McGraw is a country musician with 10 studio albums that have hit Number 1 on the Top Country Albums Charts and has been sober since 2008. He told Men’s Health magazine in 2014, “I drank too much. I partied too much and did other things too much.”
He took the alcohol poisoning death of influential country singer, Keith Whitley, in 1989 as a warning. “Keith Whitley taught me how demons can overtake you if you let them, and I was headed down that path.” According to the interview, his wife, fellow country singer Faith Hill, gave him a “big wake-up call” by telling him he’d gone too far, and he decided to get his life back on track for Hill and their three daughters.
ELTON JOHN
The English songwriter/musician was using cocaine and alcohol heavily when he befriended Ryan White, the HIV-infected Indiana boy who fought AIDs discrimination in public schools and eventually became a public face of awareness of the disease.
John explained in his 2012 memoir, “Love Is the Cure: On Life, Loss, and the End of AIDS,” that Ryan’s death made him realize he needed to get sober to help fight AIDS. He has since poured himself into creating the Elton John Aids Foundation, which has raised over $275 million for HIV-prevention worldwide.
FLORENCE WELCH
Welch is the lead singer for the popular English indie rock band Florence + the Machine, renowned for its dramatic and eccentric productions as well as Welch’s powerful vocal performances.
In a 2015 San Diego Union-Tribune interview Welch explained that for years, she drank while performing. “I was angry when I first realized I could sing better when I was not drunk. I was like: ‘(Expletive), this means I have to be sober on stage,’” she said. “But what I get now on stage, without drinking, is this clarity and feeling the performance in every way. I haven’t drunk on stage for years now.”
Do You Want to Be Sober Proud?
At Morningside Recovery, we understand how difficult it can be to begin the journey of sobriety. However, many people, even famous musicians, have been able to journey to recovery and become sober proud. If they can do it, so can you. Whether you’re suffering from cocaine addiction or co-occurring disorders, Morningside Recovery is ready to help. Call us today at 855-631-2135 to learn how you can begin your recovery journey.
