Jeff Hardy was arrested and charged with driving while impaired in Moore County, North Carolina on October 3. And even before that day, he knew he was in trouble.
Hardy's legal and substance issues have been well-documented on WWE television and elsewhere. WWE is currently airing a video series on SmackDown that highlights the rise and fall of Hardy. After returning to the ring in March, Hardy is seemingly in a better place now, but it took him years to come to grips with his struggles.
"After my first DUI, I said, 'I got my first and last DUI.' I was so sure in that moment," said Hardy on WWE After The Bell. "I think I even went on to say, 'I'll never get arrested again.' And I remember, I was like, "I probably shouldn't have said that.' Now, being in rehab, I've learned a lot about the disease known as alcoholism and addiction. Watching SmackDown, when they aired the mugshots, that's some heavy stuff. This is my last chance to get it right. I want to get a few more years out of this body and do the best I possibly can. Now I still have a legal situation, a black cloud, I haven't been convicted from when I got pulled over on October 3, 2019, the day before I called WWE and said, 'I need help. I need treatment. There's something wrong with me with this alcohol thing.' I learned so much in recovery, just little things, like focusing on one day at a time, not drinking, not (doing drugs), and calling my sponsor every day and talking to another alcoholic. There's something powerful when you admit what you are. There's a huge piece in my mind knowing that if I never drink again, I'll never be in trouble. Jeff Hardy, plus no drinking, equals no trouble. All my trouble has come from drugs or alcohol."
Hardy has yet to appear in court to address the October charges as the date has been pushed back multiple times due to the coronavirus pandemic. He is currently scheduled to appear in court in July.
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