Photos: Jim Sonefeld Shares Message of Reclaiming His Faith at Irmo Community Breakfast

For years, drugs and alcohol filled a void in Hootie and the Blowfish drummer Jim "Soni" Sonefeld's life.

Living off the high of being a star had a price.

"It was a dream come true for all of us but there are some things that come along with that," Sonefeld told a crowd of more than 200 people Tuesday at the 7th Annual Irmo Community Breakfast. 

The band started at the University of South Carolina and rose to fame in the 1990s, earning a Grammy for "Best New Artist" in 1996. 

There were fans, traveling, money, parties — and alcohol. 

"You can imagine a night didn't go by where Jim Sonefeld didn't find himself without a beer or a drink ... it was something that became a regular part of my lifestyle."

"I really did like to drink ... I was numbing a pain which led to drugs. I ended up in a lot of dark places."

Sonefeld said he was a highly functioning alcoholic and at some point found himself losing control.

"I looked good on the outside but the inside was corroded ... It was something that was hurting deeply inside yet I couldn't figure out what the heck it was."

Sonefeld describe this feeling inside as a spiritual bankruptcy.

By 2004, Sonefeld decided to make a change in his life. He sought treatment and reclaimed his faith.

"It's his grace, his mercy that led me back after walking away for many years."

Sonefeld said God has called him to share his life with others.

"Since he has made so many significant changes in my life, I feel called to talk about them," he said. "As someone who is recovering from addiction, I think it’s important to tell people about that journey and just to encourage people."

"The only way I got back up was with Christ."

The annual breakfast, which was started by Reps. Nathan Ballentine and Chip Huggins, brings together community members for a morning of fellowship. 

The program — held at Riverland Hills Baptist Church — featured members from Riverland Hills, McGregor Presbyterian Church, Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, Teen Spirit Forum of the Midlands, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Lexington-Richland 5.

Irmo High School's Air Force JROTC presented the colors.