Addiction is one evil son of a bitch, and Corey Taylor knows that better than most.
The Slipknot and Stone Sour legend is one of a small but inspiring number of humans who’ve had the strength to kick addiction’s ass, and he reflected on his battle in a speech at a recent benefit for Korn guitarist Wesley Greer’s Rock To Recovery Foundation.
While accepting the ‘Icon’ award, which recognises individuals in the music industry who’ve battled and overcome addiction, tears welled in Taylor’s eyes as he reminisced on the struggles of his past.
“I had my first drink when I was five years old, did my first drug when I was 11, and it was just all fucked up from there,” he said. “I lost a lot of friends.
“One day at a time. And every day is a gift. So thank you for having this gift with me.”
Greer’s foundation provides support for addicts through music therapy, and CT also took the time to acknowledge the important work they do.
“It’s been eight years, and you put a lot of shit in perspective,” he said. “You have a lot of time to think. You have nowhere to go with it. Your trial and error becomes your way of life, who you are is a question every day, and why. And in this industry, that ‘why’ is kind of wrapped up in a lot of weird shit.
“The great thing about this program, this organisation, is it takes away all of that shit,” he continued. “It takes away the stigma of trying to be a better person, trying to be a stronger person, a healthier person.
“It takes away the feeling of being alone, surrounded by people who are doing the exact same stuff that you do. And it lets you enjoy it again, which is a fucking hard thing to do when you’re force-fed an idea that it’s only cool if you’re fucked up. It’s not. It’s actually better once you get your head together, or try to.”
Watch his full raw and emotional speech in the video below.
