Zach Bryan Discusses Past Alcohol Dependence and Its Impact on His Career

Zach Bryan has opened up about his past struggles with alcohol, detailing how he once consumed up to 15 beers a day, a habit he now says contributed to severe panic attacks. In a recent conversation with Matthew McConaughey, released alongside his EP “Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs,” Bryan shared that he was intoxicated during the creation of nearly every hit song in his career.

He described experiencing intense panic attacks where his entire body would go numb, leading him to fear he was dying. These episodes would sometimes cause him to withdraw for days. Initially, he attributed these feelings to hangovers when speaking with a doctor, but he was eventually diagnosed with a severe panic disorder. His doctor suggested that abstaining from alcohol might alleviate his symptoms, a suggestion Bryan found to be effective.

Bryan explained that he had used alcohol as a crutch to manage stage fright. His pre-show routine often involved drinking several beers to quell his anxiety, a practice he continued after performances. This cycle led him to believe that alcohol was essential for his performances and songwriting. He recalled his managers questioning his reliance on alcohol before shows, but he considered it an integral part of his routine.

He acknowledged that performing sober initially felt more intimidating but has since become more rewarding. “Stages are more scary,” he admitted, “But once I get on stage, it’s a lot more enjoyable. So much better. It feels like flying. It’s more fun. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

Bryan stated that he realized his own denial about his drinking habits had exacerbated his struggles. He had convinced himself that alcohol was crucial for his creative process, believing he wouldn't produce good music without it. He described this belief as a “real curse” that perpetuated a ritualistic approach to songwriting.

His latest project, “Young Manhood,” is the first he has completed entirely sober, writing and performing every word without alcohol. This experience, he said, proved to him that he could create music while sober.

A pivotal moment for Bryan occurred during a 30-day solo motorcycle trip. While stopped at a truck stop near Seattle, he bought a 40-ounce bottle of beer and sat alone. Reflecting on the experience, he questioned the value of his previous actions and realized he felt emptier than when he started the trip. This realization, in a parking lot at 3 a.m., marked a significant turning point, prompting him to question his need to drink.

In November 2025, Bryan had previously announced he had been sober for two months, citing alcohol as a coping mechanism for a pervasive sense of discontent. He now reports feeling more creative, energized, and content without alcohol, stating, “There’s nothing I need to get me by anymore.”