Lady A’s Charles Kelley is opening up more about his journey to an alcohol-free lifestyle as he celebrates one year of sobriety this month.
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The 42-year-old recently sat down for an interview with The Tennesseean that detailed his journey from the moment bandmates confronted him about his problem to seeking treatment, identifying the causes and what his life looks like without alcohol.
“I got addicted to heightened moments,” Kelley said of the main reason he turned to alcohol. “Everything had to be big moments — golf, concerts, I couldn’t just live life as it came.”
He continued, “On the golf course, I’d have a bloody Mary, then some cocktails, and then wine with dinner at home, whiskey at night, next thing you know, it’s eight drinks in a day.”
Kelley said it was his bandmates Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood that first expressed concern to him about his drinking habits that were prompting a sloppy presence and slurred speech on stage.
“I got really offended,” Kelley expressed, admitting he started to sneak drinks after realizing his bandmates might’ve had a point. As his drinking increased, Kelley’s problems continued to intensify, all coming to a head while on a family trip in Greece.
After a night of partying away from his family with his phone off, Kelley — along with his wife, Cassie — came to the realization he needed immediate help. It was from Greece Charles flew to Utah to get professional help.
“I cried at the airport, and I hadn’t cried in five years,” Kelley said, sharing his memories of leaving for treatment. “There was a weird relief. Hope. Finally, I get to try a new journey.”
Kelley has been on that new journey for an entire year now and is in a healthy place as he continues to attend meetings and learn to live life in the moment.
“On my own, I can get distracted, but when I go to those meetings, we have these moments where that’s all I’m focused on, my higher power coming in,” he shared before detailing how his emotions have changed without the influence of alcohol. “I’ve never felt a 10 before, but I don’t have to deal with 1s, 2s and 3s anymore. I live between a 6 and a 9. I’m just trying to search for peace.”
As he continues to find peace on his own journey, Charles has felt the urge to share his experience in order to help others who might be struggling in the same way he was.
“I feel like I have a responsibility to share with my peers or with anyone that there is hope,” he said. “You can literally change the trajectory of your life by doing this [recovery work].”