Progress, not perfection.
If you’re like me and are an avid Marcus King fan, you might have heard in a recent Zach Sang Show interview that King has given up drinking alcohol. King has been very transparent about his struggles with substance abuse and his mental health journey since the release of his album Mood Swings.
If you tuned into Bert Kreischer’s most recent episode of Bertcast, you might be curious as to why King is seen swigging a Miller High Life in the interview after the no-more-drinking statement. King and Kreischer have very candid conversations throughout the podcast about their
Fans quickly filled the comment section, noting how they appreciated King and Kreischer being vulnerable and open during their sobriety journey or taking breaks to reset. Still, sometimes, it’s not the easiest to cut out vices, and both have had great and bad days.
After the podcast, King took to social media, telling fans that the episode was filmed when he had fallen off the wagon but didn’t want to hide from his fans the struggles he faced:
“My relationship with drugs and alcohol dates back to my early teens – being the youngest guy at the party, I felt it necessary to took great pride in my ability to out drink anyone in the crowd. I have jumped on and OFF the wagon too many times to keep count, whether it was for weight loss, mental health, or otherwise. I relied on substances to dull my senses and to dissociate, the only further repressed my past and present traumas, ultimately making me a difficult partner in life, a liability at times to my bandmates, and a vacant shell of a man.
The episode of the ‘Bercast’ was recorded the morning /afternoon after my most recent fall from grace when I was in a particularly dark place – instead of rescheduling or canceling, I decided to go in and provide an honest interview in which we discuss the dichotomy of alcohol – the joys it can provide when consumed “responsibly,” the subjective nature of “responsibility,” self-medication as it pertains to being a touring entertainer and the challenges that come along with it.
Thank you to Bert and LeeAnn for being such incredible people and for their hospitality. I am so thankful to my wife, Briley King, for pulling me out of so many dark valleys but, more importantly, teaching me how to help myself out of those places. And for those who may not have a Little Bird in their life – I am thankful to be aligned with 1 Million Strong and the Phoenix for providing a relief program to folks like me out there who get lost in the party and can’t find their way out…”
King is shedding light on the fact that it is not as easy as it seems to cut out alcohol from your life, especially when you work in an industry that promotes a partying lifestyle. I love this side of Marcus King: opening up about his struggles, which in turn helps fans who are going through similar struggles.
Fans quickly filled up the video’s comments section, showing a magnitude of support for King on his journey:
“Your vulnerability is everything. I hope you find it freeing.”
“Accountability looks smashing on you. You are doing amazing, Marcus.”
“Rooting for you, brother.”
“Thank you for sharing this.”
We are rooting for you, Marcus.
Check out this full Bertcast episode while you’re here.
