Years ago, Trey Lewis was headed down a dark path, clinging to drugs and alcohol as a struggling addict. And while he had a difficult time overcoming his addiction, he credits one thing for saving his life – music.
The viral country star picked up the guitar as a teenager and taught himself to play a few chords and write songs. From there, he began replacing his ugly habit of using booze and pills with a healthy one, where he turned to his musical craft as an escape. While on his road to recovery, Lewis’ method led him to help others struggling with their addictions.
“Music, for me, has always been a part of the healing process. I feel like music gives us a feeling that we can’t get from anywhere else…,” Lewis previously told Music Mayhem in an exclusive interview. “It’s a universal love language.”
Celebrates Nearly Two Decades of Sobriety: “Country Music Saved My Life”
Now, Lewis is celebrating continuous sobriety.
On Monday (Aug. 7), the Alabama native took to Instagram to remind his more than 62k followers that he has been clean for 16 years. He also revealed that he received his AA anniversary medallion — a sobriety chip that represents how long a member, who has gone through the 12-step program, has remained sober.
“What’s up y’all? Trey Lewis here. I just wanted to show y’all something. I finally picked it up,” Lewis says in the video, holding up his chip for all to see. “16 years clean and sober. I celebrated it in June, but I actually just picked up the chip today.”
Lewis then reminded others, who may be dealing with substance abuse, that they are not alone. He also took a moment to share some advice while telling folks to “always stay true to yourself” in the process.
“I just wanted to shed a little light. If there’s anybody out there who struggles with addiction or alcoholism, if I can do it, anyone can do it. There’s help everywhere,” Lewis said. “Also, if you just struggle with other stuff, I just want to let you know to always stay true to yourself. Always believe in yourself. People will walk in and out of your life, but you’ll never regret staying true to yourself and your heart. Love y’all. Thank y’all. Peace out.”
16 Years Of Sobriety
Lewis’ inspiring message comes eight weeks after he revealed his accomplishment of being 16 years sober and counting.
“Today is June 11, 2023, and today I celebrate 16 years of continuous sobriety,” he told fans on Instagram earlier this summer. “With that being said, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Trey Lewis, and I’m a drug addict and alcoholic. If there’s anybody out there that’s ever doubted that they can do it, or whatever, I swear you can because if I can do it, anybody can. Don’t be scared to ask for help. Peace out. Love y’all. Thank you all for everything you all do for me.”
According to Taste of Country, Lewis’ battle with drugs and alcohol began at age 13. It wasn’t until he was 19 years old that he entered his first rehab facility.
“I was in rehab for two weeks, and then I went to sober living for six months, or a halfway house,” he recounts. “I started going to 12-step meetings, and after I made amends with my father, I decided to buy a guitar. I taught myself to play it. I’ve been playing music ever since… Country music saved my life.”
New Song, “Always You”
Speaking of music, Lewis released his latest track, “Always You,” on July 20. The infectious love song finds Lewis singing about being unaware that the person he needed was there the entire time.
“It was always you, I was looking for, baby / Even though I didn’t know it at the time / Kinda’ wish you wouldn’t have kept me waiting / Now I got you for the rest of my life / Worth the waiting all the heartache / Girl your love ain’t a minute too soon / The answer to the prayers that I prayed / It was always, it was always you,” he sings throughout the chorus of the catchy tune.
Trey Lewis’ Fall Tour 2023
Additionally, Lewis is gearing up to embark on his fall tour 2023. The trek begins on Thursday (Aug. 24) at The Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln, Neb., and runs through Sat. (Oct. 7) at the Tumbleweed Dancehall in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
For more information on upcoming shows and tour dates, visit treylewismusic.com.
