Machine Gun Kelly Says He's 'No Longer Dazed' After Starting His Sobriety Journey (Exclusive)

The rapper/rocker announced in August that he had been sober for a year

Machine Gun Kelly's journey to sobriety began with a shift in his mindset.

While sitting down with PEOPLE ahead of the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards, where he is both a nominee and a performer, MGK, 34, opened up about how he got sober by changing his perspective on life.

“I had to zoom out and look at myself from a holistic perspective,” he tells PEOPLE on Thursday, September 26, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

“I was born on the 22nd. Twenty-two is a master number. What am I supposed to master here? I had to ask myself that question,” says Kelly, born Colson Baker. “What were my intergenerational curses and problems that were passed down to me and my father? Rest in peace.”

Related: The People's Choice Country Awards 2024: Shania Twain hosts, Brad Paisley performs new song and other highlights

The “Emo Girl” artist says he found the answer in knowing that “my job is to be a good man.”

“I find comfort in knowing that I can punish myself today so I can forgive myself tomorrow,” Kelly says. “I have a daughter that I love with all my heart and would die for. And I have a beautiful family and a beautiful circle of friends and a beautiful life to live for. And I'm no longer in the despair of not realizing it.”

During an appearance on Bunnie Xo's podcast Stupid blonde In August, he revealed that he was “completely sober from everything.”

“I don't drink anymore. I haven't had a drink since last August. That was the first time I went to rehab,” Kelly said.

Related: People's Choice Country Awards 2024: Everything you should know

The rapper pointed out that he had previously abused alcohol, marijuana and pills such as hydrocodone, Percocet and Vyvanse, and said his partner Megan Fox was instrumental in his recovery.

Check out PEOPLE's full coverage here.

“Megan has definitely been extremely helpful in dealing with the psychological withdrawal symptoms that come with coming off drugs,” he said. “I continue to believe that this journey will be difficult for me, but I accept it and forgive myself,” he explained.

That same month, he shared during an episode of the A game worth a million dollars On the podcast, he realized he needed to get sober when his 15-year-old daughter Casie told him when she was around 11 or 12 that she knew when he was high.

“It took a while after that because obviously drugs have a hold on you. That was the first step for me,” Kelly said. “As a father and as a man, I must break this generational curse for my child in order to be the father I would have wanted.”

The 2024 PCCAs will air live on NBC and Peacock from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Thursday, September 26 at 8pm ET/PT.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the SAMHSA hotline at 1-800-662-HELP.

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Read the original article on People.