The journey from addiction to sobriety can be challenging and life-long for many people. Alcohol and drugs wreak havoc on people’s lives and sometimes they don’t see a way out. Sadly, it can be more challenging getting sober than it is becoming addicted. Indeed not everyone is able to do it.
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For the lucky ones, they find something stronger than the addiction that helps pull them out. Waylon Jennings’ grandson, Whey Jennings, began using drugs and alcohol at a very young age. The father of six didn’t know if he would ever be sober, but he realized that if he wanted to keep the woman he loved, he had to stop using.
Whey Jennings’ Journey Was Extremely Long
The now 43-year-old told Fox News Digital he got sober four years ago and has a 27-year battle with substance abuse.
“My moral structure was horrible for many years,” he said. “I even got into the music business for the wrong reasons. I just wanted the cliché sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. It was just a horrible decision after a horrible decision. And you just do more drugs. … You get to the point where you feel like even though you need help, you don’t deserve it.”‘
When his now wife, Taryn Rae, left because of his addiction, things indeed got even worse. But he soon realized he wanted her and a life with his children and gave it all up.
“I don’t drink, I don’t smoke weed, I don’t smoke cigarettes, I don’t vape. I don’t do none of that,” Jennings continued. “I’m 100% what they call a helicopter parent; I’m very present in my kids’ life; I’m very present in my marriage life; I’m trying to find this perfect balance between work and home and doing what I’m passionate about, which is writing music that helps touch on things that matter.”
Whey’s Journey Is Not Just His Own
The country singer teamed up with Mobilize Recovery to help others.
“Mobilize Recovery is a bus tour that’s going across America and helping people get the resources they need to fight addiction,” he told the publication. “I feel very strongly about this. I’m sharing my own experiences as a recovered addict. I want to make a difference. I want to tell people that they can do it, too. It’s possible. You just got to want it. You’ve first got to admit you got a problem. Then you’ve got to give it up to a higher power, whatever your higher power may be… If you can’t forgive yourself, how are you ever going to move forward?”
Ultimately, he believes that helping others.
This story’s featured image is by Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images.
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