In a recent interview on the Johnny Dare Morning Show, Creed frontman Scott Stapp discussed what it has been like to reunite with his bandmates after facing public battles with substance abuse and mental health issues. He revealed whether his performances got better or worse when sober.
“No, I love it. I love it, man. I mean, you feel and see and process everything,” the singer said of sobriety. “And the energy that is happening up there between the audience and the band, to be in it and living it and experiencing it with a clear mind and a clear body and a healthy mind and a healthy body, it’s the only way to do it, man. And it allows me to deliver the best performances of my life, in my opinion, and then also be fully present to engage in the audience and to seize moments as they come up. And I think it just makes for an unforgettable experience for all involved.”
In 2014, after Creed broke up, Stapp went through serious personal problems, including a public breakdown where he posted a video saying he was broke and living in a Holiday Inn. He made worrying 911 calls, claiming family connections to ISIS and admitting to misusing prescription drugs. He also experienced delusions, paranoia, and even threatened former President Barack Obama.
When it comes to staying sober while touring, Stapp explained that it wasn’t as hard as it looked. “No, it’s not. I create my own world,” the rocker said in a different interview. “And I have my own, my entire situation laid out for me and a big 5,000-square-foot cabin.”
Years of substance abuse and mental health issues caused the singer’s psychotic break. During Creed’s peak years, he struggled with depression and used alcohol and drugs to cope. Though he is sober today, Stapp believes his issues may have started from childhood trauma.
