Zach Bryan says sobriety has reignited his love of songwriting

Zach Bryan feels more creatively fulfilled after giving up alcohol.

The 30-year-old music star has opened up about his sobriety journey, revealing what led him to quit drinking.

Zach said on his YouTube channel: "I always thought sobriety was a joke because it’s people who couldn’t control themselves celebrating not being able to control themselves. When I was drinking a lot, I thought, ‘Why can’t you control yourself?’ I never realised I had a problem."

Zach recognised the extent of his drinking issues during a month-long motorcycle trip from New York to Los Angeles.

The musician, who had originally intended to share the journey with friends, spent much of his time drinking alone in bars.

He recalled: "I was stopping at all these bars and drinking myself to sleep. Waking up every morning, getting on my motorcycle thinking I was on some sort of soul journey."

Zach's turning point came in Seattle, where he began questioning whether the trip had been worth it.

He explained: "After all this beautiful scenery, all these nights, all these bars I’ve been to, all this s*** that I’ve done, I was at this Pilot truck stop right outside of Seattle. I’ll never forget this for as long as I live.

"I go into this Pilot and I grab a 40 Budweiser and I’m sitting on the curb with my motorcycle in front of me. I’m drinking [the beer] and I’m thinking ‘What the hell was all that worth? Why did I do any of that? I feel emptier than when I left.’"

Zach subsequently quit drinking and believes the decision has helped his music career.

The country star said he has rediscovered his love of songwriting.

He shared: "Quitting drinking has been really great. I’ve had a lot of fun.

"I enjoy writing again, I haven’t felt [like this] since I was 17. I feel like a kid again. I wake up and I’m ready to go, I want to jump in the pond. I want to play with the dog. I want to do everything."

- Bang! Showbiz and republished with edits & permission

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