Zach Top is one of the biggest names in country music, which is a genre that often intertwines with the consumption of alcohol. Therefore, the 28-year-old is not buying into the “trend” of sobriety.
His recent comments about boozing did not land quite as he had hoped.
Top, who is often credited with the resurgence of 90s country music sound, accidentally sparked outrage amongst those who are impacted by alcoholism. He most certainly did not craft his words well.
Zach Top thinks sobriety is a fad.
This whole thing started with the latest episode of Bert Kreischer’s podcast. Zach Top is the guest.
The conversation, which initially focused on cigarettes and dip, quickly transitioned toward the presence of alcohol while on the road and in day-to-day life. Kreischer and Top both talked about how they often indulge in a few cold beverages, even when they were planning to take the night off. It is something that is always around. They enjoy a few beers in moderation.
Their discussion ultimately turned to sobriety. They came to the consensus that being sober has become a bit “performative” of late. Top made the following comment about people who don’t know how to handle themselves around alcohol and/or cannot take care of themselves while drinking:
“Keep yourself healthy enough that you can drink all your life. I don’t want to be… sobriety is such a fad, trendy thing right now. The next person I hear say they got sober, I want to hit them in the head. We don’t need that. Just be a normal guy and drink a normal amount. You can do it your whole life. You’re fine.”
And then he doubled down based on his own personal experience and his own personal opinion.
“There’s a little bit of attention seeking in it, a lot of times… just do it. If you actually feel that way, it’s a bit of a disease. People do stuff just to be recognized for it versus (doing it for themselves). There’s a difference between doing something just for the love of doing it, and then doing it so that you can post a video and get a bunch of affirmation and a bunch of likes. If you are doing it just for the love of doing it, you don’t have to talk about it as much.”
Kreischer generally agreed with what Top had to say. They were on the same page.
Two things can be true at once!
As with anything, Zach Top’s comments about sobriety did not land for everybody. A large number of critics questioned why he would downplay such a serious condition like alcoholism and they’re right.
I have seen this kind of journey play out in my own life on multiple occasions. I think we all have. Alcoholism is not a joke. Sobriety is not a “fad” for people who become dependent on substance.
Now, with that being said, spare me the outrage. Even if it came out poorly, that is not what Top meant. If you cannot see the difference, I don’t know what to tell you. He was not talking about alcoholism…
I won’t speak on Top’s behalf, but I would imagine that he supports those who need help in getting it. That is very different than what I have experience in my own friend groups.
There are a growing number of people in my life who love to talk about how they’ve gone “sober” or “sober curious” because they would feel so horrible on a Sunday after having a margarita or a couple of beers on a Saturday night. They act as though they are holier than thou because they don’t drink alcohol. Some of them might then rip a joint or take some mushrooms— all while saying they are “sober.”
If you are someone who used to enjoy the occasional alcohol drink and no longer want to booze, more power to you. Don’t rub it in my face. Don’t judge me or hold it against me. That is your decision.
I like a glass of bourbon here and there. I, like Zach Top, enjoy a cold domestic on a hot summer night in the middle of July. I’m not dependent on the bottle. I don’t need alcohol to live my life, and for that I am grateful because some people do.
Those people should seek help. I am here to support them in their journey to sobriety, as I have been with my friends and family. I would imagine that Zach Top feels the same. They aren’t part of the “fad.”
Two things can be true at once.