Spotlight on Rock Star’s Recovery

When you think about what it’s like to be a “Rock Star,” being in recovery doesn’t typically top the list. Partying, screaming fans, and an endless supply of drugs and alcohol may come to mind. However, that lifestyle has led to the untimely demise of many talented performers. Read more about one rock star who is putting his sobriety center stage and inspiring others.

Former Korn Guitarist’s Sober Journey

Korn’s former touring guitarist, Wes Geer, spoke with American Addiction Centers, “Addiction Talk” host Joy Sutton about what it means to struggle with addiction. “My first instinct was to go right for the drugs, whether it was playing with a new band, a new gig, I had to do it with drugs.”

He spoke about the falsities of the disease. “Addiction lies to us, we say I’m fine, I’m fine, but the truth is we are lost, lonely, and hurting.”

Geer admits during his addiction to alcohol, meth, and other drugs it was all or nothing. “I knew had to get sober, or I’d be dead.”

For him, the thought of giving up music was harder than the thought of quitting drugs or alcohol. Because for so long the two went hand in hand, he had to figure out: “How do you live life sober and keep doing what you love?”

“I wasn’t put on this earth to be miserable,” he said. “Or be a musician who can’t create because I am sober.”

From playing for crowds of more than 80,000 fans he found himself in a rehab group of about 20 other people struggling to connect. “I had my guitar with me and started playing and watched the power that music had in the rehab setting; the positive energy brought us together.”

When Geer got sober, he discovered that the drugs and alcohol didn’t cultivate his creativity, it was quite the opposite. “It wasn’t the drugs playing the guitar, it was me, my true expression without being high, and it was better.”

Now the magic of music is part of a weekly curriculum in more than 100 treatment centers on the west coast.

Rock to Recovery Serving Veterans and Their Families

The Rock to Recovery Program started 10 years ago and helps people heal through the powerful experience of writing, playing, and performing music as a group. The non-profit works with more than 5,000 people each month.

Veterans face unique needs when it comes to treatment because of what they have encountered in their profession. Rock to Recovery works with veterans struggling with addiction and mental health issues. The Veterans program at our Las Vegas Rehab, Desert Hope, offers addiction treatment paths for Veterans of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as current and retired first responders.

When asked about any final words of wisdom that have helped him in recovery. Geer sings the praises of self-care.

“I put my recovery first. I can’t be there for anybody else if I’m not sober and when I put my sobriety first all other areas of my life benefit.”

Geer also has a new book “Rock to Recovery” and a new band. He met his fellow band members during his sober journey.