Rascal Flatts Star Reveals Details About His Sobriety Journey In New Update

Joe Don Rooney shared updates on his life and outlook headed into 2024 in a lengthy post on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday (January 3). The Rascal Flatts guitarist returned to social media after a years-long break to set the record straight on “rumors and opinions thrown around about me,” reflect on his 2021 DUI charge, share updates on his sobriety and more.

“First off, I am alive!” Rooney, 48, exclaimed as he kicked off his message to fans. The country artist began by shutting down rumors that he’s “transitioning to be a woman.” “There have been so many rumors and opinions thrown around about me - but I’m finally healthy and ready for the world. And NO, I’m not transitioning to be a woman. That thought has never entered my mind. Nothing against the trans community whatsoever but I needed to set the record straight.”

Rooney then referred to the “major detour” in his life that happened in the early morning hours of September 9, 2021. Police documents stated that Rooney told responding officers a deer caused him to leave the road and ultimately crash into a tree. Rooney reportedly smelled of alcohol, failed sobriety tests and admitted to having “one more than I should have,” when he went to a friend’s house after playing golf. Rooney pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in 2022. The incident happened near Franklin, located in Williamson County, Tennessee, outside of Nashville.

“I was drunk and I was so far gone with my life - I was completely out of control and finished with trying to fight the fears, depression and anxieties that had spun me out in a way I’ve never experienced before,” Rooney said in his post on Wednesday. He went on to open up about his months of treatment for alcoholism. “Fortunately, (and I truly believe this,) God lead me into that tree safely enough to not kill me - and luckily nobody else was involved and I didn’t injure or kill anyone.

“My life has been changed forever - and I’m grateful for the change. I’ve been sober now for almost 28 months come this Jan 13. I never believed I could actually live my life without drinking. It had become such a huge part of my daily and nightly routine. I had tried to stop on my own in the past but the powerful nature of alcohol always found its way back into my life. I learned that I had to come to the realization that I was powerless over alcohol - and a power much greater than myself (and much greater than alcohol) was the only way to stop drinking and completely restore my sanity. God intervened and helped me to get my life back.”

“With the help of my family and so many other professional clinical advisors and now numerous new sober forever friends, I’ve been able to get the train back on the tracks and live without the burden of alcohol,” Rooney continued. “Now, I need to protect my family and protect my sobriety. I have new healthy boundaries for the first time in my life. Only positive, loving, caring & understanding people may enter.”

Rooney, who performed in Rascal Flatts alongside Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus, expressed his gratitude for “all the love, support and prayers,” and hoped 2024 would be a time for “living our most healthiest, happiest and goal oriented lives ever!!” See his full post here: