When Brian Welch recently shared his old photos from a few decades ago on Instagram and recalled his battle with drug addiction, bandmate Jonathan Davis expressed his feelings about that period in the comments section.
In the caption of his post, Welch wrote:
“This Thanksgiving weekend, I’m thankful that I’m not this guy anymore, this is the face of meth and Xanax addiction, but… the ego died, the soul came alive, the true self emerged, victorious, back from the dead, it’s never over until we decide it’s over, or unless the addiction wins. It’s our choice!”
So, Davis’ comment read:
“Don’t ever want to see that guy again. So happy you’re healthy, happy, and alive. Love you, brother.”
Welch’s Addiction Issues
Welch’s journey through addiction began as Korn rose to fame. By 2003, his addiction had gotten to the point where he was hiding drugs in his clothes and other personal items while on tour with the band.
Speaking of his life in Korn during those years, the guitarist recently told Lakeland Community Church:
“The problems in life weren’t fixed. I still, you know, had drug addiction…When we got to the top, it was like we changed. Whether it was from pride or from insecurity and self-doubt, everything mixed together, I don’t know, but all I know is that we changed.”
Turning To Religion For Sobriety
In the early 2000s, Welch chose to seek sobriety. This decision led him to leave Korn in 2005 and return home to avoid the band’s party lifestyle.
During this time at home, the guitarist met a Christian group and turned to religion for his recovery with their effect. The group invited him to church, as he recalled:
“I said, ‘All right, I’ll go with you,’ and [they] picked me up, I was on meth all night long. I’m a feeler, and I started feeling the love of God, and I didn’t know [what] it was. I thought it was just the music. I was like, ‘That song’s peaceful,’ you know. But I felt something that day, and it just felt good and thin. I started having these signs and wonders.”
Return To Korn And Later Relationship With Christianity
Welch eventually rejoined Korn in 2012, performing with them at the Carolina Rebellion in Rockingham, NC. He later admitted to turning religion into another addiction for a while by going ‘too far with it‘ but made it clear that he still had faith in Christ at the base of his life.
