Jelly Roll reveals that he first attended Alcoholics Anonymous at age 14

singing Jelly roll opens up about the first time he attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

“Oh my God, I don’t completely remember my first real meeting because I was court ordered at like 14 years old,” the Grammy winner revealed on the Thursday, Oct. 10, episode of SiriusXM. the highway show, hosted by Ania Hammar.

“But I definitely remember the first time I found comfort in those rooms, or the first time I was introduced to the concept of it,” continued the country star, whose real name is Jason DeFord. “And how many things have I taken out of these rooms.”

According to Jelly Roll, 39, his experiences with Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings inspired his hit song “I Am Not Okay.” In a previous interview with The New York Times in August, the singer revealed that another song, titled “Winning Streak” on his latest album Beautifully brokenhe was also inspired by AA and NA.

Related: Stars who have gotten sober

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have been candid about their sobriety journeys over the years. Kelly Osbourne, who previously spoke about being sober for six years, revealed in April 2021 that she had relapsed and was working on the next steps. “I’m not proud of it. But I’m back on track,” he wrote via (…)

“It was very difficult for me to get away from these drugs,” he said at the time. “Something I do (to) maintain my relationship with these drugs is that I will continue to attend the meetings, even though I’m not a textbook sober guy, but I never share, I sit quietly and appreciate the message and meaning”.

The singer went on to explain that he continues to attend meetings “for my demons”, which influences his songwriting “from the perspective of a story that I had actually seen happen”.

He added: “I’m looking for songs that have a purpose. When I go to put on a song called Jelly Roll, I think to myself, ‘Why?’ Because, for the first time in my life, it has nothing to to do with a financial decision, I’ve gone from doing anything for money. So now, it’s really a why.”

During his recent the highway show appearance, Jelly Roll said he believes everyone, whether they struggle with substance abuse or drink or not, should attend an AA or NA meeting at least once in their life, partly because he has “never been more inspired” than when he leaves. a meeting

“I think everyone should experience one (even) if you’ve never had a drink in your life,” he continued. “I still think there’s something about it that is, you know, that the good ones are like good theater. They will make you listen, you will learn, you will laugh and you will cry”.

Beautifully broken he is out now

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662- HELP (4357).
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline