Jelly Roll, the popular musician, recently revealed that he was mandated by a court to attend his inaugural Alcoholics Anonymous meeting when he was just 14 years old. On a recent episode of Sirius XM’s show “The Highway,” the 39-year-old artist, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, shared candid details about his early experiences in AA and Narcotics Anonymous.
Reflecting on that pivotal moment from his teenage years, Jelly Roll admitted that his memories of that first meeting are somewhat hazy. “Oh goodness. I don’t fully remember my first real meeting ’cause I was court-ordered at like 14,” he expressed. However, he emphasized that while specific details may have faded, he distinctly recalls being introduced to the principles of recovery and the profound lessons he learned from those sessions.
He reminisced about the solace he found in the rooms of AA, stating, “But I definitely remember the first time that I found solace in those rooms.” Jelly Roll also conveyed that he has never felt more inspired than when leaving those meetings. “I think everybody should experience one if you’ve never drunk in your life,” he passionately stated.
The insights he gained from his time in these support groups even inspired his song “I Am Not Okay.” “I still think that there is something from it that is, you know, the good ones are like good theater. They’ll make you listen, you’ll learn, you’ll laugh and you’ll cry,” he elaborated.
In addition to sharing his journey with AA and NA, Jelly Roll opened up about how he has navigated his sobriety. He previously disclosed that he turned to marijuana as a way to distance himself from harsher substances. He acknowledged that, for him, weed has played a significant role in managing his anxiety, stating, “I believe marijuana has helped me in so many regards, with my anxiety.”
As he continues to share his story, Jelly Roll remains steadfast in his belief that cannabis has been beneficial to his sobriety, asserting, “This is a hot button topic, but, truly, marijuana has kept me sober.” Through his music and personal experiences, he emphasizes the importance of finding support and coping mechanisms while navigating the challenges of sobriety.
