Headlines laud Zach Bryan as an award-winning singer-songwriter with strong country roots and rhythms. But on a bad day, Zach is best described as a controversial character with a penchant for the bottle. However, Zach recently followed the advice of his lyrics and hit the road, breathing under the same pink skies his simpler times once taught ’em to enjoy. And after, Zach finally realized he needed “some f*cking help.”
Zach reached out to his support system, and now he feels stronger than ever. Nowadays, he is using his massive platform to encourage others, because if he, “the most stubborn dumb*ss on the planet,” can acknowledge his struggles, his fans can too.
Zach Bryan has faced backlash after drama both online and in-person
Before his healing journey, Zach was living a chaotic life.
According to NBC News, in 2023, Zach reportedly harassed a police officer, who shut him up with an arrest. While driving, Zach looked back and noticed his security guard had gotten pulled over. He circled the block for a bit, but eventually returned to the scene to speak with the officers. But as he later admitted in his public apology, he got a little “too lippy” with them, hence his arrest.
Earlier this year, Zach found himself making headlines again following the release of his new song, “Bad News,” which (correctly) criticizes ICE raids without due process. Zach served in the Navy for 8 years, so no one can challenge his ability to speak up on things that matter. He fought for his right to free speech, after all. But even still, people came after him, and he had to issue yet another public apology.
Finally, two months ago, Zach and Gavin Adcock exchanged heated words at the Born & Raised Festival in Oklahoma. Before this festival, Zach posted a trash reply to a young fan, which he later apologized for. But before he could apologize, Gavin put him on blast online, which resulted in Zach climbing a fence to try to kick Gavin in his country-loving tail. Security came, and shortly after, Zach’s healing journey began.
Zach opened up about his personal life and “earth-shattering panic attacks”
Yesterday, Zach got real with his followers. As he explained on Instagram, he recently “went on a motorcycle trip across the country.” He was gone for twenty days, camping, riding, and just trying to find a solution to his problems. And at the end of his ride, he sat in a parking lot in Seattle, fully aware that he needed “some f*cking help.”
After spending nearly a decade in the Navy, Zach felt unprepared for “the spotlight.” So, he “was stuck in a perpetual discontent that led me to always reaching for alcohol, not for the taste, but because there was a consistent black hole in me always needing its void filled.” Not helping matters, Zach has experienced a taxing year. From various online lies and doxxing, to aiding “a close friend following a severe mental break while tending to another best friend who was put into a coma following a motorcycle accident,” Zach dealt with things as he could, all “while touring the country and playing five or six nights a week.”
These stressors gave Zach “earth-shattering panic attacks” and “paralyzing” anxiety. “I thought since I was successful, had the money I always longed for, and had great friends, that I could tough anything out,” Zach noted.
Zach has now given up alcohol and entered therapy
After describing his whys, Zach focused on his hows. First, to help him start moving forward, Zach “went out of my way to find a therapist,” he said. Then, he “made the conscious decision to do something about my toxic relationship with booze and how I cope with major life changes,” he added. Thankfully, his efforts have since paid off, as Zach next revealed, “I haven’t touched alcohol for nearly two months now.”
His family is standing beside him in support. And now, “I feel great, I feel content, I feel whole,” Zach penned, adding, “There is nothing I need to get me by anymore.” Then, to any of his followers with whom his story might resonate, Zach offered a final encouraging note. Because life is hard, and no one is above an unexpected mental health break.
“If you or any of your friends are too tough, too scared, or too stubborn to reach out, know that the most stubborn dumb*ss on the planet did and didn’t regret it.” As he emphasized, “It is okay to be weak at times and need help. Godspeed everyone! I pray this helps somebody.”
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