Brian James, better known as Road Dogg, has opened up about his battle with addiction and how sobriety saved his life. Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the WWE Hall of Famer reflected on his darkest moments and the journey that led him to recovery.
“I was on a vicious cycle—wake up and do drugs, wake up and do drugs. I didn’t want to live like that anymore,” James admitted. “I wanted to die, but I was scared my kids would find me that way. Sobriety saved my life.”
James has now been sober for 15 years, but getting to this point wasn’t easy. He revealed that at one stage, he contemplated taking his own life, feeling trapped in a cycle he couldn’t escape. His turning point came when his brother confronted him after a show, leading James to seek help through WWE’s rehab program.
Looking back, James recognizes how much time he wasted on self-destructive habits.
“One of my biggest fears today is not being self-aware. I wasted so much time trying to die, and now I just want to live.”
Today, James is a key figure behind the scenes in WWE, helping shape the next generation of talent. His story serves as an inspiring reminder that change is possible, even in the darkest moments.