Metallica Avoiding Battles On New Album

… Things have changed for Hetfield, who has been sober for nearly five years. On May 12, he will receive an honor he says he is more proud of than any career achievement. The MusiCares MAP Fund, a non-profit organization aimed at helping music industry professionals with addiction recovery treatment, will present Hetfield with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his “devotion to helping other addicts with the recovery process” during its second annual benefit concert at the Music Box/Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood.

“I don’t believe that you have to walk straight into the fire to know how hot it is,” Hetfield says. “That was my path. The biggest awareness is that you’re not alone and that there is some help. When people get so far into it, where they feel their life isn’t worth anything, that’s too far. But, you can survive it. That’s important to know.”

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