Jelly Roll Reveals He Was Court Ordered To Attend Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings When He Was 14

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Country music star Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, has long been open about his struggles with addiction and his criminal past.

In a recent interview, the 39-year-old artist revealed a surprising detail from his early years, sharing that he was court-ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings when he was just 14, according to the Daily Mail.

His journey through addiction and recovery has been instrumental in shaping both his life and his music, providing inspiration for the songs on his latest album, ‘Beautifully Broken’ .

Jelly Roll talks about attending Alcoholics Anonymous at just 14 years old

Jelly Roll, who has faced more than 40 arrests, many for drug-related offenses, talked about his introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous during a candid interview on SiriusXM’s “The Highway” with host Ania Hammar.

Reflecting on his troubled past, Jelly Roll recalled that he was just a teenager when a judge decided to send him to his first 12-step meeting.

“Oh my God, I don’t completely remember my first real meeting because I was court ordered at 14,” the singer admitted.

Despite not having a vivid memory of that initial meeting, he shared how these rooms would later become a refuge for him.

“I definitely remember the first time I found comfort in these rooms, or the first time I was introduced to the concept of it,” Jelly Roll explained. “And how many things have I taken out of these rooms.”

For Jelly Roll, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) became more than mandatory sessions; they became places where he could be inspired and find a sense of community.

He expressed how leaving a meeting always left him feeling “inspired”, even if he hadn’t fully grasped the magnitude of what was happening at such a young age.

“I think everyone should experience one if you’ve never had a drink in your life,” added the musician.

Jelly Roll’s experiences with addiction and recovery have also influenced his music career

Jelly Roll’s experiences with addiction and recovery have not only shaped his personal life but also influenced his musical career.

His latest album, ‘Beautifully Broken’, features several songs drawn directly from his journey with drugs, alcohol and his time at AA and NA meetings.

One of the album’s standout songs, ‘I Am Not Okay’, was heavily inspired by her time attending recovery meetings.

The song, which serves as the lead single, delves into the emotions and struggles associated with addiction, making it a powerful anthem for anyone who has faced similar battles.

In addition to ‘I Am Not Okay’, another song on the album, ‘Winning Streak’, also takes cues from Jelly Roll’s experiences in AA and NA.

The singer and rapper talked about the difficulty of breaking free from substance abuse in an interview with The New York Times.

“It took me a long time to get away from those drugs,” he confessed.

Even now, Jelly Roll attends meetings, although he no longer actively participates by sharing. Instead, he observes in silence, taking in the messages and lessons that still resonate with him.

“Something I do (to) maintain my relationship with these drugs is I will continue to attend the meetings, even though I’m not a textbook sober guy, but I never share, I just sit quietly and appreciate the message and the meaning”. he revealed

For Jelly Roll, these meetings remain an important part of his ongoing recovery process.