Brett Young is opening up about his decision to quit drinking. In 2024, the father of two announced that he had completely cut alcohol out of his life. Not easy at the time, Young now says it was one of the best decisions he could have made for himself.
“It was at the end of 2023 where I went, ‘You know what? I don’t feel like I’m doing everything I can to be around for my family as long as possible and be the best version of me and the healthiest version of me as I can for these little kids,'” Young tells People. “I made a lifestyle decision to make a change and to prioritize my health. And it’s been wonderful. It shows up on the body, but it’s been incredible for mental health.”
Now, more than two years into sobriety, Young admits the change wasn’t easy. With a career built largely around alcohol, not drinking at all was a challenge for Young.
“It was a huge transition,” the California native concedes. “I wasn’t one of these people that had an addiction or anything like that, so it wasn’t me going through a process of letting go of alcohol, but it always seemed to be there to take the edge off or calm the nerves a bit. You don’t really realize you’re relying on it because it’s so baked into the culture.”
“There was a bit of a routine that builds around it,” he adds. “Before you know it, it’s not just on the road. It was difficult and a little uncomfortable and frustrating at times, but I think the performer that came out of it and on the other side is actually quite a bit better and more seasoned. I’m more confident now than I’ve ever been.”
Now, the 44-year-old is grateful that he no longer imbibes, and for the person he has become as a sober person.
“When you point all of your focus and energy at your kiddos, life opens up a little bit more — and it’s beautiful,” he says.
Why Brett Young Quit Drinking
When revealing he quit drinking, Young said it was mostly for his health, at least at first.
“I just decided that [alcohol] was not serving me at all,” Young tells Muscle & Fitness. “In fact, it’s doing nothing but make life more difficult.”
Young knew then, and knows even more now, that to be the best father he can be, he can’t have any alcohol, at all.
“Having young children at home, and starting to get older, you start to realize—with so much more knowledge about what is good and bad for you these days,” he explains. “I did a deep dive into how to become the best version of myself possible. That meant longevity and being around for my kids as long as possible.”
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Brett Young’s 2026 2.0 Tour
On January 22, Young will kick off his 2.0 Tour, appropriately at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
“My first experience at the Ryman was sneaking into a Keith Urban performance there,” recalls Young. “I remember just thinking, ‘What would it be like one day to play in this room?’ I mean, I’ve gotten to do some pretty cool things there. I’ve gotten to jump up [onstage] with Darius [Rucker] for one of his shows, and I got to perform in front of Tim McGraw, but I’ve not gotten to kick off a tour at the Ryman until now, so that’s going to be really special.”
The tour comes as Young’s “Drink With You” nears the Top 40. The song is from his latest 2.0 album, out now.