--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I came out in the public about my…" description: "\"When I came out in the public about my struggles with alcohol and drugs, that's probably the most vulnerable I have ever been in my entire life.\" — A. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/a-j-mclean-11357_alcohol_when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-s_2098401.png" --- # When I came out in the public about my struggles with… ![“When I came out in the public about my struggles with alcohol and drugs, that's probably the most vulnerable I have ever been in my entire life.” quote by A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/a-j-mclean-11357_alcohol_when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-s_2098401.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/a-j-mclean-11357_alcohol_when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-s_2098401.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/a-j-mclean-11357_alcohol_when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-s_2098401.png) > “When I came out in the public about my struggles with alcohol and drugs, that's probably the most vulnerable I have ever been in my entire life.” [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Publicly sharing addiction struggles exposes deep personal vulnerability and can foster connection and healing. **In simple terms:** Sharing addiction makes you vulnerable but can help others. Key Takeaway Embrace honesty to break stigma. Themes vulnerability addiction healing authenticity Mood candid hopeful Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - recovery groups - public speaking - support forums - mental‑health campaigns Key Concepts self‑disclosure stigma reduction Questions to Reflect On - How does sharing affect your own recovery? - What support do you need after being open? A Different Perspective Vulnerability may be exploited or misunderstood. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alcohol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcohol/) [Came Public](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came-public-4180816/) [Drug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug/) [Entire life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entire-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [My struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-struggle/) [Probably Vulnerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/probably-vulnerable-4180814/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) [Struggles Alcohol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggles-alcohol-4180815/) [Vulnerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerable/) [Vulnerable Entire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerable-entire-4180813/) ## Related quotes > [If there's no fire, there's no scream. If there's no scream, then no one hears you and no one comes to help you in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-kelly/if-there-s-no-fire-there-s-no-scream-if-there-s-no-scream-then-no-one/) [R. Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-kelly/) > [If prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet, then I must learn about prayer. Most of my struggles in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/if-prayer-stands-as-the-place-where-god-and-human-beings-meet-then-i/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [I just didn't feel very good. One day I woke up and I was like: "All right. I'm going to start eating right. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pronger/i-just-didn-t-feel-very-good-one-day-i-woke-up-and-i-was-like-all/) [Chris Pronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pronger/) > [You know that I can make hits. You know I can do all these rap records. So, I'm going to start opening up and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/future/you-know-that-i-can-make-hits-you-know-i-can-do-all-these-rap-records/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/future/) > [As a teenager, my struggle was how do I balance being empathetic and compassionate towards my peers, while also living my life for myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shailene-woodley/as-a-teenager-my-struggle-was-how-do-i-balance-being-empathetic-and/) [Shailene Woodley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shailene-woodley/) > [My path to poetry was slow and meandering. When I eventually found my way to graduate school at 29, making a life as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-beth-schaer/my-path-to-poetry-was-slow-and-meandering-when-i-eventually-found-my/) [Robin Beth Schaer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-beth-schaer/) > [Music that boldly and aggressively laid out what the singer wanted, loved, hated — as good rock ’n’ roll did — challenged me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-willis/music-that-boldly-and-aggressively-laid-out-what-the-singer-wanted/) [Ellen Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-willis/) > [I have superfine, superoily hair, so my struggle is always trying to get the volume I want. I end up not doing much with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/odette-annable/i-have-superfine-superoily-hair-so-my-struggle-is-always-trying-to/) [Odette Annable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/odette-annable/) > [My struggles with myself seldom reach aerobic level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/my-struggles-with-myself-seldom-reach-aerobic-level/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Throughout my life my greatest benefactors have been my travels and my dreams. Very few men, living or dead, have helped me in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/throughout-my-life-my-greatest-benefactors-have-been-my-travels-and/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [I identified myself through football so when Jason Peter the football player no longer existed, Jason Peter the person was gone as well. Such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-peter/i-identified-myself-through-football-so-when-jason-peter-the-football/) [Jason Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-peter/) > [Throughout my life, my greatest benefactors have been my dreams and my travels; very few men, living or dead, have helped me in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/throughout-my-life-my-greatest-benefactors-have-been-my-dreams-and-my/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [That's one of my struggles as a hip-hop artist. If I feel like doing a super conscious song where I don't even rap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonreal/that-s-one-of-my-struggles-as-a-hip-hop-artist-if-i-feel-like-doing-a/) [SonReal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonreal/) > [“As your perspective of the world increases not only is the pain it inflicts on you less but also its meaning. Understanding the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-ove-knausgaard/as-your-perspective-of-the-world-increases-not-only-is-the-pain-it/) [Karl Ove Knausgaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-ove-knausgaard/) > [I don't go and study other folks. I come from where I came from, as a kid, in the little black church I grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-williams/i-don-t-go-and-study-other-folks-i-come-from-where-i-came-from-as-a/) [Cecil Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-williams/) ## More by A. J. McLean > [The biggest misconception about me is the bad-boy image that everyone stuck me into due to my tattoos, drug days and the constant changes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/the-biggest-misconception-about-me-is-the-bad-boy-image-that-everyone/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [I have always wanted to branch off and become a fashion guru. I want to share my artistic views with the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/i-have-always-wanted-to-branch-off-and-become-a-fashion-guru-i-want/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [I've worn a dress at my wedding. I've worn 6-inch Louboutins. I've got no fear and no shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/i-ve-worn-a-dress-at-my-wedding-i-ve-worn-6-inch-louboutins-i-ve-got/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [Keep your head up and be patient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/keep-your-head-up-and-be-patient/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [Once I went to bed in Orlando and I woke up in Atlanta. I have no idea how that happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/once-i-went-to-bed-in-orlando-and-i-woke-up-in-atlanta-i-have-no-idea/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [I do believe that there is a greater being that has brought me this far through life. Something or someone is on my side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/i-do-believe-that-there-is-a-greater-being-that-has-brought-me-this/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [Thinking back on it, I've been in this business since I was 3, and I grew up in musical theater, so I was raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/thinking-back-on-it-i-ve-been-in-this-business-since-i-was-3-and-i/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [You can have whatever you want if you believe in yourself and keep your feet firmly planted in the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/you-can-have-whatever-you-want-if-you-believe-in-yourself-and-keep/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [I can't stress how much my daughter is an inspiration to stay sober. When I come home and she opens those big blue eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/i-can-t-stress-how-much-my-daughter-is-an-inspiration-to-stay-sober/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [A dear friend of mine once told me that the only way around is through. I now live by this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/a-dear-friend-of-mine-once-told-me-that-the-only-way-around-is/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [Vulnerability and me go hand and hand now. I try to put myself first so that I can take care of my family so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/vulnerability-and-me-go-hand-and-hand-now-i-try-to-put-myself-first/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [Our fans want us to be happy and if that means being married or having a girlfriend, they are okay with that. Of course,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/our-fans-want-us-to-be-happy-and-if-that-means-being-married-or/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [I had this question asked to me recently when I was buying food for my wife and brother in law and I would like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/i-had-this-question-asked-to-me-recently-when-i-was-buying-food-for/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [I shop more than most women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/i-shop-more-than-most-women/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) > [I grew up in musical theatre and love to perform on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/i-grew-up-in-musical-theatre-and-love-to-perform-on-stage/) [A. J. McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) [Explore all 60 A. J. McLean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/) ## More Alcohol quotes > [I'm Catholic and I can't commit suicide, but I plan to drink myself to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-m-catholic-and-i-can-t-commit-suicide-but-i-plan-to-drink-myself-to/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [Stronger than alcohol, vaster than poetry, Ferment the freckled red bitterness of love!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rimbaud/stronger-than-alcohol-vaster-than-poetry-ferment-the-freckled-red/) [Arthur Rimbaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rimbaud/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [ \[As in the case of\] alcohol prohibition, illegality has driven organized crime, sent countless people to jail, and killed many thousands. Repression does not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-branson/as-in-the-case-of-alcohol-prohibition-illegality-has-driven-organized/) [Sam Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-branson/) > [You can get a new phone or new trainers (sneakers) but you've only got one body so you have to look after it. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyson-beckford/you-can-get-a-new-phone-or-new-trainers-sneakers-but-you-ve-only-got/) [Tyson Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyson-beckford/) > [Alcohol doesn't console, it doesn't fill up anyone's psychological gaps, all it replaces is the lack of God. It doesn't comfort man. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-duras/alcohol-doesn-t-console-it-doesn-t-fill-up-anyone-s-psychological/) [Marguerite Duras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-duras/) > [In 1969, I gave up women and alcohol - it was the worst 20 minutes of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-best/in-1969-i-gave-up-women-and-alcohol-it-was-the-worst-20-minutes-of-my/) [George Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-best/) > [Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house unless they have a well-stocked bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/thou-shalt-not-covet-thy-neighbor-s-house-unless-they-have-a-well/) [W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/) > [Alcohol is like Photoshop for real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferrell/alcohol-is-like-photoshop-for-real-life/) [Will Ferrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferrell/) > [“Alcoholism is a choice... not a life sentence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-norman/alcoholism-is-a-choice-not-a-life-sentence/) [David Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-norman/) > [Blunt force didn't knock out the drug epidemic. 21 million Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol. And half of all federal inmates are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-botticelli/blunt-force-didn-t-knock-out-the-drug-epidemic-21-million-americans/) [Michael Botticelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-botticelli/) > [I go to parties sometimes until four, it's hard to leave when you can't find the door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-walsh/i-go-to-parties-sometimes-until-four-it-s-hard-to-leave-when-you-can/) [Joe Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-walsh/) > [I can't fill the hole with money. I can't fill it with alcohol, or drugs, or sex, so what do I need to fill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-victor-hansen/i-can-t-fill-the-hole-with-money-i-can-t-fill-it-with-alcohol-or/) [Mark Victor Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-victor-hansen/) > [Cocaine decisions that you make today, will mean nothing later on when you get nose decay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/cocaine-decisions-that-you-make-today-will-mean-nothing-later-on-when/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [I take really good care of myself. I promised myself long ago that I would never miss a hunting season, never poison my sacred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/i-take-really-good-care-of-myself-i-promised-myself-long-ago-that-i/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) [Browse all 1,953 Alcohol quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcohol/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I came out in the public about my struggles with alcohol and drugs, that's probably the most vulnerable I have ever been in my entire life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "A. J. McLean" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-struggles-with-alcohol-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alcohol" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-struggles-with-alcohol-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/a-j-mclean-11357_alcohol_when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-s_2098401.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/a-j-mclean-11357_alcohol_when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-s_2098401.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/a-j-mclean-11357_alcohol_when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-s_2098401.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I came out in the public about my struggles with alcohol and drugs, that's probably the most vulnerable…” — A. J. McLean", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "A. J. McLean", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-mclean/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I came out in the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-struggles-with-alcohol-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-mclean/when-i-came-out-in-the-public-about-my-struggles-with-alcohol-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```