Alcoholism has a brutal way of ravaging people and their relationships. Eventually, you spiral into someone people don't recognize anymore. Whether it's simply for a good time or trying to escape a deep, personal pain, not knowing how to manage your drinking can deeply affect others around you. Even if you don't care for yourself, it always affects someone else with that kind of recklessness. For Mark Chesnutt, his battle with alcoholism nearly cost him his life. Now, he's on the other side to talk about it so someone can learn from his mistakes.
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Recently, Mark sat down with American Songwriter for an incredibly candid discussion about alcoholism. He found solace in the bottle for years because of his fractured spine. Progressively, his back got worse, to the point he needed surgery and help aiding his nerves. The aftermath of the surgery left Chesnutt almost useless; no work, no walking, driving, barely eating, dropping to 135 pounds. But drinking everyday made him feel whole.
Mark Chesnutt Candidly Talks About Battling Alcoholism Amidst Brutal Back Surgery
To make matters worse, Mark had always been a heavy drinker. Working in country, it's simply a part of the culture to sit down with a cold one. All his idols did it, he was only following in their footsteps. However, Chesnutt also recognized that, amidst the pandemic and his surgery, it was killing him too. A trip to the hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee confirmed what he needed to hear after four different blood transfusions.
"I was bleeding out from my inside," Chesnutt explains. "They basically told me they were gonna get me over this, and I was going to be fine, and they could fix everything wrong with me. But if they discharged me and I went home and started drinking again, I'd be back in a matter of days, and I might not leave alive. I had to quit drinking or die."
Ever since November 1, 2023, Chesnutt has been completely sober. Now, his 2025-2026 Redemption Tour sees him taking the stage as an ode to his sobriety.
