Jelly Roll Discusses His Journey with Alcoholics Anonymous at a Young Age

Rapper Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, recently shared his early experiences with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) during an interview on Sirius XM’s "The Highway." He revealed that he was once "court-ordered" to attend his first AA meeting when he was just 14 years old.

His First Meeting Experience

Jelly Roll reflected on his first encounter with AA, admitting that he doesn’t remember much of it due to his young age. He stated, "I don’t fully remember my first real meeting ‘cause I was court-ordered at like 14. I don’t remember it as much as I should." Despite the lack of memories, he recalled the profound impact that AA had on him over time. "But, I definitely remember the first time that I found solace in those rooms... and how much stuff I’ve taken from them rooms," he noted.

Finding Inspiration

The artist expressed that leaving an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting has left him feeling inspired. He mentioned, "I’ve never been more inspired than when leaving an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting or a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. I think everybody should experience one if you’ve never drank in your life." Jelly Roll described AA meetings as a unique experience, stating, "The good ones are like good theater. They’ll make you listen, you’ll learn, you’ll laugh and you’ll cry."

His Sobriety Journey

Jelly Roll has spoken openly about his struggles with addiction. In a December 2023 interview, he discussed how his relationship with alcohol became complicated due to his drug addiction. He shared, "I had to learn that you could drink alcohol without doing cocaine. It took me a long time to learn that." He previously believed that alcohol consumption was linked directly to drug use.

Family Support and Personal Growth

Despite the challenges with substances, Jelly Roll has claimed he never had a serious issue with alcohol itself. He maintains a cautious approach towards drugs and relies on family support during tough times. He is a devoted father, with a 16-year-old daughter named Bailee Ann and an 8-year-old son named Noah Buddy, both from previous relationships. Jelly Roll has been married to Alyssa DeFord, known as "Bunnie XO," since 2016. He emphasizes the importance of family in his life, stating, "Being a father is so important to me. The single most impactful event of my entire life was having my daughter. It changed everything."

JellyRoll, AA, Sobriety