Country Music Singer Opens up About His Pill Addiction: Cody Hibbard Shares His Journey

Cody Hibbard's rebellious spirit nearly cost him his life. In a new interview with PEOPLE , the country music star describes his personality as always being one of doing things the opposite of what he's told or encouraged to do. While most things have not necessarily led him astray, he was inspired to join the continued Marines before changing his mind and accepting an invitation to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While there, he suffered a shoulder injury. Two surgeries later, he found himself dependent upon prescription pills.

"I got on pain medication from the first surgery, and I got easily hooked," Hibbard explained. "I wanted more and needed more and didn't think something a doctor would give you would be something that bad."

He left the Naval Academy to attend another school. But his dependency on pain medication left with him, and he realized he was addicted. "I was doing a lot of it behind people's backs," he said. "I was really good at hiding things. I remember waking up in the hospital. My friends had just dropped me off at the front steps of the emergency room. They must have got scared and drove off. I knew I had a problem."

The country star, who is currently promoting his new album Long Ride in a Short Bed , says he eventually "quit pills cold turkey" 10 years ago when he found out his ex was pregnant with his first child. It gave him a newfound purpose. "I took some pills, and I was drinking whatever I had. I was behind on every single bill. My ex had wanted to leave me. I was a young father, and I was trying to pay for whatever took care of our daughter. And I'll admit it -- I didn't care. I lost my first house. I thought the repo man was after me. I thought the cops were after me because I was behind on my bills. I didn't know how any of that worked."