New Years Eve of 2009 will always hold a lot of significance to me. Me and my friends went out to celebrate, as we always did back then. It was my first time not throwing a big NYE show so I was looking forward to kicking it. 
We heard about several events going on, so instead of choosing one, we decided to hit up all three of them. Went to first event around 10pm and drank until 11, the second bar to drink from 11pm until midnight, and then to a house party type joint from midnight on.
For those keeping track at home we drank at every spot, then drove to the following spot. I’m not proud of it, but I was drinking and driving regularly in those days. Before heading into third spot we drank 2 bottles of cheap champagne in my car.
By the time we got into the party we were beyond drunk. So drunk that all I really remember is being on the dance floor with the bottle in my hand. I have flashes of being on the sidewalk outside after but that’s it.
My next memory was waking up in my bed, at home, fully clothed. Didn’t remember leaving the party. Didn’t remember driving home. Woke up and checked on my friends.
One friend got a ride home. Second friend said he pulled over on the side of the freeway and slept in his car because he couldn’t drive any further. We were all way too drunk to be behind the wheel of a car.
For the next four days, I was sick as a dog. The mix of champagne, hard liquor, and beer I drank was tearing my insides up. I couldn’t move. Stuck in the bed unable to really eat or even work on music. I had never felt that bad from drinking before.
The more I sat there sick, the more I realized how far I had gone with my drinking. We put people’s lives in danger doing what we did. But the worst part was how common it was. We did that 4-5 nights a week.
That was the first time I thought about quitting alcohol. I didn’t know what I was looking for anymore and had this constant feeling of boredom. Several of my friends had DUIs already. My body couldn’t handle it anymore. I was an alcoholic.
A few months later, I almost caught a DUI myself. It was the first time I had ever been pulled over for driving drunk. My tolerance was so high that I passed the field test even though I admitted to the officer I’d been drinking for hours.
The very next weekend, I was playing a show out of town and almost caught another DUI. Somehow beat the field test again, although I’m sure my blood alcohol level was way over the limit again.
That’s when it really started to hit me how much of a chance I was taking and how alcohol was about to ruin my life. As a touring artist, losing my drivers license would’ve been financially devastating.
I decided to take a week off drinking. That week turned into a month. That month turned into a year. I have now been sober for almost ten years. May 15th will be ten years sober.
I just realized today that NYE ten years ago was when I hit the wall for the first time. I deeply regret my behavior during that downward spiral, but I am thankful that I made it through it without taking the serious loses I was headed for.
Honestly, my decision to quit drinking has been the best decision I’ve made this decade. Had I not made the decision when I did, I doubt I would still be doing music for a living. Life has gotten better every year since.
If anybody out there is thinking about quitting, know that you are not alone and that there is something really dope on the other side of it. Sometimes the new year is a great time to make changes that will impact you for the rest of your life.
It’s amazing how things can change in ten years. This NYE I’m staying at home and working on finishing my album and new book. God is good.
I hope this helps somebody.
I hope this helps somebody.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
