Jesse Daniel is celebrating an impressive eight years of sobriety today.
Over on Instagram, he shared an incredibly personal and candid post about his struggles with addiction and substance abuse, particularly heroin, how it led him to jail many times, and his ultimately getting clean and finding hope after the dark times he went through in his life.
He shares the photos of his mugshots, as well as prison card, yearly to remind someone who may be going through similar struggles that there is hope… and he was very honest in speaking about his struggles with heroin specifically, and how he burned every bridge with family and friends and completely lost himself.
Of course, we all know that the country music industry celebrates and glorifies alcohol in particular, and it can be incredibly difficult for artists to be out on the road surrounded by it constantly, especially when it’s something they struggle with already. It’s admirable that he’s so open about what he’s been through, and I’m sure it will certainly encourage other people who have, or are currently, going through similar things. And while country music radio hits may have quite the topical focus on drugs and alcohol, there’s actually quite along list of popular country artists who are sober, and that list seems to welcome more and more artists every year.
The post is lengthy, but more than worth it to take a few minutes out of your day to read. It’s simply inspiring:
“Today I woke up with 8 years clean and sober. I post these mugshots every year on this date to remind myself of how far I’ve come and to inspire anybody looking to change their life. I was one of those cases that people considered hopeless and had written off. In and out of jail, rehabilitation centers and after I burned all the bridges with my family and friends, homeless. I nearly lost my life many times.
I was a thief, a criminal and was so morally bankrupt that it was hard to know who I was anymore. I’d truly lost my self. I had a very clear choice to make… life or death. On 1/7/2017 I chose life and quit heroin ‘cold turkey.’ Little by little, step by step I learned what it meant to have purpose. Without purpose, we have no foundation to hold on to when the going gets tough… and that’s a given, it will get tough. Anybody can find purpose, sometimes it’s just a matter of being beaten down enough to see it.
To get clean or sober is not the easy path in life. If you’ve dealt with addiction it may be the hardest thing you ever do. It was for me, but I can’t convey to you how absolutely worth it it was. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the support of Jodi and my family, I love you all. Today, I have a life beyond my wildest dreams. Good relationships, a career making the music that I love and true direction in my life. I have purpose.
I’ve learned skills and hobbies that I’m proud of. I’m able to hold my head up high and be the man I always wanted to be. One of the biggest parts of my recovery is being able to help others through my music and experience, that is ultimately my mission. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, don’t give up. Reach out for help and hold on.
I’ve never heard anybody say ‘Man, my life sure went down the drain since I got clean and sober…’ – it’s only up from here. Thank you for reading and being a part of my journey. Thanks for 8 years!”
Now a successful touring musician, Daniel put out a new album called Countin’ The Miles in 2024, and will be back on the road again this year.
Congratulations on eight years of sobriety, Jesse, and here’s to many, many more.
Jesse’s gut-wrenching song “Gray” tackles substance abuse and addiction head on… it’s a heavy one:
