Keith Urban’s Inspiring Sobriety

Keith Urban’s inspiring sobriety apparently knows no limits. Just ask fellow country crooner Brantley Gilbert, who was the recipient of some of Urban’s strong sober support. But Gilbert’s not the first to benefit from Urban’s generosity. He’s just the latest. The latest in a very long line of incredibly grateful recipients.

Then again, Keith Urban has been sober since 2006. The New Zealand/Australian/American citizen also gets around. He’s been a judge on both American Idol and The Voice Australia. And he’s had 18 #1 Country singles, three of which have earned Grammys. Oh, and he’s married to Nicole Kidman, who’s undoubtedly one of the most famous women in the world.

In fact it was reportedly Kidman who helped Urban get clean — and stay clean. Sure, it was after his third stint in rehab. But so what? It stuck. And now Keith Urban’s inspiring sobriety is providing support to others who need his help.

Inspiring Brantley Gilbert

“Keith Urban became a friend of mine in a time, you know, when I was making a transition in life,” said Brantley. “I honestly don’t know if I’d be sitting in this room if it weren’t for that man, and him taking time out of his life to come talk to me.”

Brantley was sitting in his record company’s office. But he may as well have been in an AA meeting. Why? Because that’s just the kind of heartfelt gratitude one hears at every AA meeting. It may come from a country superstar. Then again, it may not. But it always comes. And it’s never less than moving.

“It was a time when I’d stopped drinkin’ and stopped doing some other things, and was just kind of unsure about moving forward,” continued Gilbert. “And [Keith], again, took time out of his life and talked to me. I’ll never forget that as long as I live. So that just wasn’t in music, it was in life.”

Gilbert’s song “Stone Cold Sober” appeared on the platinum edition of his Just As I Am album and reveals some of what he went through. It also may serve to be the catalyst for some inspiring sobriety of his own. Let’s hope so.

Encouraging Words for Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato was also the recipient of some of Keith Urban’s inspiring sobriety. No, she didn’t ask for it. But it came. Unbidden. Right after the pop singer was hospitalized from a reported overdose.

“I don’t know anything about her personally,” Urban said on the Australian morning show Today Extra. But he’d recommend she keep “good people around her, and a willingness to want to live a different way if that’s what she wants to do. It’s all up to her.”

Lovato’s overdose had come on the heels of her heartbreaking song Sober. It also proved relapse doesn’t mean an end to recovery. In fact, that’s just the way we reported it at Recovery Boot Camp. And it’s just the way we still feel now. Considering Lovato is reportedly doing well, we’re glad for the truth of those words. Relapse wasn’t an end to her recovery. Just a dip on the long and winding road.

Keith Urban’s Inspiring Sobriety

Keith Urban’s inspiring sobriety is actually a testament to that long and winding road. It’s also testament to the inspiration he felt after his wife staged an intervention.

“Nicole listened to her heart and did what she felt was the right thing to do,” Urban told People back in 2007. “To see that kind of love in action, that’s very moving and deeply inspiring and just makes me want to be a better man.”

And a better man he has indeed become.

Keith Urban’s inspiring sobriety is an inspiration to everyone. Not just to those in recovery either. Everyone knows someone who’s struggled with addiction. And everyone who’s struggled has someone to thank for their sobriety. Often a few someones. And that’s largely because folks like Keith Urban step up and show their support.

Healing Properties applauds Keith Urban for his continued efforts. We also congratulate Brantley Gilbert on his sobriety. Both are evidence to recovery’s saving graces. And both deserve to be experienced by more and more people everywhere. If you need help, please seek help. It’s out there.

(Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons — with gratitude)