Keith Urban on Sobriety: ‘One Day You’re Gonna Come to a Crossroads and It’ll Be the Final One’

The New Zealand-born, Australian-American singer, gave up drugs and alcohol nearly 20 years ago and credits his wife in his decision.

Entertainer of the Year award winner Keith Urban poses in the press room during the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 7, 2019. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for ACM

Four-time Grammy Award-winner Keith Urban, who chose a path to sobriety nearly two decades ago, reflects on the long-lasting impact that decision has had both on and off-stage.

During a recent interview on Apple Music’s “The Zane Lowe Show,” he explained what led to his giving up drugs and alcohol.

“All through the years of drinking and doing drugs and all the rest of it, I always had this very specific voice inside of me that goes, ‘One day, you’re gonna come to a crossroads or a fork in the road, and it’ll be the final one,'” Urban, 57,  said on the podcast.

“You’re either gonna choose to get out of this [expletive] or you’re never gonna get out of it,” he said.

“That day is gonna come, and it won’t be like, well, if you mess it up this time, maybe next time. There won’t be a next time. And you'll know when it comes. This went on for years.”

The New Zealand native rose to fame in the United States in the early 2000s, with the release of his self-titled debut album. But along with newfound success came substance abuse struggles.

“I didn’t come to America for that,” Urban said. “I came to America to make music and record and tour, and grow as an artist and as a human being. I didn’t come to America to end up in rehab and courthouses. ... That’s not why I came here, so I’m like, ‘What am I doing?’”

The country music star previously said that his struggle began while growing up with an alcoholic father, along with deeply rooted insecurity issues. Onstage, he felt as if he belonged, whereas off-stage, he questioned what more he had to offer.

It wasn’t until Urban met his wife, Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, that he hit a turning point. The two tied the knot in 2006, shortly after Kidman led an intervention that led to rehab.

“In 2006, when that happened, my wife called an intervention on me, I knew that was it,” the singer recalled. “I’m like, ‘oh, this is that fork in the road. Here it is.’”

Country stars, including Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, and Trace Adkins, are just some of the other big-name musicians who continue to advocate for sobriety and the positive impact it leaves on their careers and home lives.

Similarly to Urban, McGraw credits his wife, Faith Hill, for helping him turn to sobriety, and continued support through his journey.