Country star Jelly Roll, aka Jason DeFord, reveals his ongoing health journey, including regular attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, as part of his commitment to overcoming addiction.
Bollywood Fever: Jelly Roll, the country music star whose real name is Jason DeFord, has opened up about his ongoing health journey, sharing that he regularly attends Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. In a candid interview with The New York Times published on Saturday, August 17, the “Save Me” singer discussed his proactive approach to maintaining his well-being.
During the interview, Jelly Roll revealed that his unreleased song “Winning Streak,” set to be featured on his upcoming album Beautifully Broken, was inspired by his experiences in AA. He attends the meetings “for my demons” and explained that the track was written “from the perspective of a story I’d seen happen for real.”
Jelly Roll has been open about his struggles with addiction and substance abuse in the past. He detailed how AA meetings continue to play a crucial role in his life, helping him stay away from more harmful substances. “It was really hard for me to get away from those drugs,” he admitted. “Something I do [for] maintaining my relationship with those drugs is I will still attend the meetings, even though I’m not a textbook sober guy — but I never share, I just quietly sit and appreciate the message and the meaning.”
Although Jelly Roll still enjoys “a cocktail every now and then” and is known for his use of marijuana, he remains committed to avoiding the more dangerous drugs that once threatened his life. “I got away from the drugs that I knew were gonna kill me,” he told the outlet, adding that he hadn’t previously spoken about his AA meetings out of respect for those who fully commit to sobriety through the program.
In a previous interview with Taste of Country in May, Jelly Roll shared that marijuana has played a significant role in helping him avoid harder drugs. He emphasized that without weed, he might have returned to his previous habits with substances like codeine, Xanax, and cocaine.
Jelly Roll’s journey has been marked by significant challenges, including a past incarceration for drug dealing. While in prison, he learned he had become a father to his daughter, Bailee Ann, now 16. Determined to turn his life around, he earned his GED and was released from prison by the time Bailee was 2 years old.
Today, Jelly Roll is dedicated to advocating against deadly drugs. In January, he spoke before the U.S. Senate in support of the bipartisan Fend Off Fentanyl Act, expressing his commitment to being part of the solution to the drug crisis. “I was a part of the problem. I am here now standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution,” he declared during his speech, reflecting on his past and his efforts to make a positive impact on his community.
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