What you need to know
Zach Bryan has opened up about his mental health, revealing he has been sober for two months.
The “I Remember Everything” singer, 29, shared the news in an Instagram post on Tuesday, Nov. 18, writing that he decided to get sober after a 20-day solo motorcycle trip across the United States. “At the end of this drive, I was sitting in a parking lot in Seattle, Washington thinking, ‘I really need help,'” Brian wrote.
“Being in the military for 10 years and then being exposed to a spotlight that I didn’t fully understand the scope of had a subconscious effect on me as a person,” he continued. “I wasn’t happy, but I was also afraid to show weakness because that’s not who I am and that’s not how I was raised.”
Brian said he used alcohol to deal with his “constant dissatisfaction,” saying, “I always reached for alcohol, not because of the taste, but because there was a consistent black hole inside me that I always needed to fill.”
In the post, Brian also said that being “lied to” and being “revealed on the internet” contributed to the stress, causing him to have a “stunning panic attack”.
“I felt paralyzed with anxiety. I was successful, had the money I had always dreamed of, and had great friends, so I knew I could overcome anything.”
Gus Stewart/Red Ferns
He then revealed that he sought out a therapist to help him overcome his “toxic relationship with alcohol” and deal with “major life changes.”
“I haven’t touched alcohol in nearly two months now. This is something I had to do to clarify my feelings,” he wrote. “I needed to look at the world objectively.”
The “Something in the Orange” singer said his family “supported me every step of the way.”
After two months of sobriety, Brian says he is now “feeling great.”
“I feel great. I’m satisfied. I feel complete,” he said. “There’s nothing you need to help me anymore.”
Towards the end of his post, Brian appealed to those who are “too tough, too stubborn, too scared” to seek help for their relationship with alcohol.
“Please know that the most stubborn idiot on the planet did it and has no regrets,” he continued.
Brian’s announcement comes after a number of controversial incidents involving him in recent months. His breakup with podcaster Briana “Chickenfry” LaPaglia has been highly publicized since their split in 2024, with LaPaglia claiming that Brian emotionally abused her.
In September, a video of Bryan getting into a physical altercation with country singer Gavin Adcock went viral after a months-long feud between the two.
However, as Brian notes in his post, it was still a year of great professional success for the singer. His performance at a stadium in Michigan in September set a record for the largest ticketed concert in U.S. history.
Never miss a news. Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to human interest stories.
After two months of sobriety, Brian still insists he “doesn’t believe in absolutes” and says he may one day learn to “control my habits.”
“What I’m trying to say is that it’s okay to be weak and need help sometimes,” he concluded. “Everyone, please hurry! I hope this helps someone.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
