A Journey from Darkness to Sobriety
Ryan Turner, an Irish country music star, recently opened up about the challenging years he faced a decade ago. In a recent interview, he shared that he was in a difficult place financially and emotionally, with only $58 to his name. “I had $58 in my pocket and I was a mess,” he admitted. His struggles with alcohol addiction were so severe that he was once told to leave his family home multiple times. Now, after 10 years of sobriety, Ryan is using his story to inspire others.
“I’m not ashamed of it because I have come out the other side,” Ryan said. He emphasized that he’s willing to talk openly about his past if it can help someone else. His journey into the music industry began at a young age, and he recalls starting to drink at just 17. “I was playing music from a very young age, and that’s one thing about the music industry — you’re around alcohol all the time,” he explained.
Ryan noted that people often thought they were helping by buying him drinks, but this led to a cycle that he couldn’t escape. “One leads to another and time goes by… weeks, months and years… and eventually for me after a period of time I felt I was tied up in it,” he continued.
Despite his efforts to maintain professionalism, he found himself caught up in a lifestyle that blurred the lines between work and personal life. “My work was at weekends, so I thought it was normal to go to the pub those weekdays as I regarded it as my Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” he said. Even when working, he would still have a few pints over the weekend.
As a father to children aged between 15 and 24, Ryan acknowledged that his heavy drinking affected his family. “I’m not going to lie about it, Michelle had a huge task because she was raising five kids by herself up to the point that I quit drinking,” he confessed. He honored his partner, Michelle, who he described as a “saint” for putting up with his behavior.
However, he also revealed that Michelle eventually grew tired of his antics and had “thrown him out” more than “several times.” Despite this, Ryan expressed deep gratitude for her strength and support during his darkest days.
Ryan’s story highlights the challenges many face in the music industry and the importance of seeking help. By sharing his experiences, he hopes to encourage others to confront their struggles and find a path to recovery. His journey from addiction to sobriety serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to change.
