American country music sensation Zach Bryan has made a powerful public confession about his struggles with alcohol and mental health, revealing he has been sober for nearly two months following a transformative cross-country motorcycle journey.
The Breaking Point
The 29-year-old US Navy veteran shared that his decision came after a 20-day motorcycle trip across America that ended with him sitting in a Seattle parking lot thinking: 'I really need some f***ing help.' In a deeply personal Instagram post titled 'On mental health,' Bryan bared his soul about the personal demons that drove his drinking habits.
Bryan described being 'stuck in a perpetual discontent' that led him to constantly reach for alcohol, not for enjoyment but to fill what he called 'a consistent black hole in me always needing its void filled.' The musician cited multiple factors contributing to his mental health crisis, including his decade in the military and being 'thrown into a spotlight that I hadn't fully comprehended the scope of.'
Underlying Causes and Crisis
The Oklahoma-born singer detailed several personal crises that overwhelmed him while maintaining a gruelling tour schedule of 'five, sometimes six nights a week.' These included being 'lied about and doxxed' online, helping a close friend through a severe mental break, and another best friend being put into a coma by a motorcycle accident.
Bryan confessed to experiencing 'earth-shattering panic attacks' and paralysing anxiety, despite achieving professional success and financial stability. 'I thought since I was successful, had the money I always longed for, and had great friends, that I could tough anything out,' he wrote.
Path to Recovery and Support System
The artist ultimately entered therapy and made the conscious decision to address his 'toxic relationship with booze' and coping mechanisms for major life changes. He credited his family and current girlfriend Samantha Leonard for supporting his recovery journey, noting that conversations about 'the future, kids one day, my health and Sammy's happiness' helped him prioritise his wellbeing.
Bryan's 'bad boy' reputation had intensified last year following his split from then-girlfriend Brianna 'Chickenfry' LaPaglia, who publicly claimed he had been 'cheating on me the whole time' during their relationship. Fans have noted his current partner bears a striking resemblance to his ex.
His musical work has frequently explored themes of inner turmoil, with songs like 'Oklahoma Son' asking 'How'd you fall for a man I've grown to hate?' and 'Jake's Piano - Long Island' frankly discussing alcohol with lyrics including 'And I've been drinkin' so much lately, it seems a damn double blade.'
Bryan concluded his emotional post by encouraging others to seek help when needed: 'I don't believe in absolutes. One day maybe, I'll learn to control my habits, but for now; I just want to say it is okay to be weak at times and need help.'
The sobriety announcement comes just a month after Bryan faced significant backlash from MAGA supporters over anti-ICE lyrics in his new song 'Bad News,' which led to condemnation from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Bryan responded by insisting the song was about 'how much I love this country' and expressed being 'embarrassed but kind of scared' by the divisive reaction.
