193 - How to Get Help for Addiction with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Byrd

Ricky Byrd is a rock and roll guitar player, singer, songwriter, and music producer. For more than a decade, he was a member of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, where he contributed background vocals and music to many albums, including two platinum albums and one gold album.

His most famous song might be “I Love Rock 'n Roll,” which was released in 1981. 

For many years, Ricky lived what might be the “typical” musician lifestyle. He drank, used drugs, and partied hard as he toured around the world alongside other famous musicians like Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen, and Stevie Wonder. 

But Ricky made a decision to get sober over 30 years ago. Since then, he’s created a lot of new music that focuses on recovery and hope. He often performs at benefit shows to raise money for drug and alcohol treatment facilities. 

He’s become a certified recovery coach and drug and alcohol counselor. He frequently leads recovery music groups at treatment facilities around the United States. 

Some of the things he talks about are how his denial and desire to punish himself kept his substance abuse going, the one thing that inspired him to get help, and how he now helps other people who are struggling with addiction.