Scott Stapp Reflects on Sobriety: "Drinking is No Longer an Option"

Scott Stapp isn’t dancing around the issue of sobriety. At this point in his life, drinking is, quite simply, off the table. When asked whether it’s challenging to stay sober on something as indulgent as a cruise, particularly the band’s “Summer Of ‘99” cruises, he doesn’t hesitate: “No, it’s not. I create my own world.” No drama, no temptation. Just control.

In fact, Stapp has it all planned out, right down to the 5,000-square-foot cabin and his inner circle. “I brought my sponsor, not because I was worried about having a drink, but because he’s my friend.” It’s not just about the booze; it’s about maintaining an environment where he feels grounded. Friends, a supportive structure, and his own version of a sober haven — that’s the playbook.

Sobriety isn’t negotiable. “Drinking is not an option,” he repeats, and it feels more like a mantra than a casual remark. Stapp even keeps reminders on his phone, the digital equivalent of sticky notes yelling, “Don’t screw this up!” With only a couple of slips in the last decade, the progress is undeniable. He’s aiming for zero over the next ten years. Bold move, but if anyone understands the stakes, it’s him.

Of course this journey didn’t come without serious motivation. Back in 2019, Stapp openly credited his family for dragging him out of the downward spiral. “It was either get sober or lose my wife and kids,” he said to Meltdown of Detroit’s WRIF. Imagine hitting that point — your personal rock bottom — where you realize that losing your family is a very real possibility. It doesn’t get more real than that.

But the rock and roll lifestyle? That certainly didn’t help. “It definitely contributed,” he admits. Being young and thrown into a world of excess with little preparation was a recipe for disaster. Add depression to the mix, stir in some alcohol and a cocktail of other substances, and you’ve got yourself a train wreck. It took him years to figure out what the hell was going on, but now he’s on the other side of it. The wild ride may be over, but the lessons stick around.

Interestingly, despite all the strides he’s made, life hasn’t exactly smoothed out. Just this past May, People magazine reported that Stapp and his wife, Jaclyn, were calling it quits after 18 years. Another chapter closing, though not necessarily with the same triumphant feel. The two share three kids—Milan, Daniel, and Anthony—while Stapp has another son, Jagger, from a previous marriage. Rockstars and complicated family lives, as cliché as it sounds, it’s still happening.

Musically, though, CREED is back on the road, waking up nostalgic fans everywhere. Their first two shows in 12 years hit back in April as headliners for the “Summer Of ‘99” cruise, and after two sold-out runs, they decided it was time to give land another go. The “Summer Of ‘99” tour wrapped in late September, but they’re gearing up for more with the “Are You Ready?” tour kicking off in November. Nothing like dusting off the old setlist and taking it for another spin.

For someone who’s seen both the highs and lows of life in the spotlight, Stapp seems to have found a delicate balance, though no one’s pretending it’s perfect. Sobriety is a daily battle, not a destination. But for a guy who’s lived the excess, he seems determined to keep his feet on the ground — even if it means staying on dry land, quite literally.