Matt Brown (full name Matthew Jeremiah Brown) is one of the major cast members of Alaskan Bush People. He is the eldest of seven children of Billy Brown and Ami Brown. He has been facing hard times with alcohol abuse for quite a long time which led him to join rehab for the second time in September 2018. Things were difficult for the Brown family when Matt left for rehab as his mother was battling with cancer at the same time. 

Billy Brown said son Matt Brown is “fighting a hard road”

Matt became addicted to alcohol many years ago. Concerned about his health, Matt first went to rehab in 2016. Two years later, in September of 2018, Matt decided to enter rehab for the second time. This time, he was struggling with substance abuse as well.

Talking to People of his addiction before entering rehab, Matt said, “I struggle with substance abuse, and after a year of ups and downs, I decided to return to treatment. I’m really grateful for everyone’s support and hope to have my life back on track soon.”

This announcement came soon after his family moved from Alaska to Washington for his mother’s cancer treatment. Ami was diagnosed with Stage III lung cancer in April 2017. The doctors had given her a three percent chance of survival, following which she began her four-month course of chemotherapy with radiation. Luckily, she responded well to the treatment and according to the latest prognosis, she is now in remission.

Matt stayed in rehab for six months and received inpatient and outpatient treatment. He returned in January 2019.

His parents gave their full support even while his mother was receiving treatment. Talking of Matt’s decision to return to rehab, Ami said, “It’s hard not having one of my babies here with us. He was so strong for me, and I want to be strong for him.”

Meanwhile, his father Billy said, “We will miss him terribly, but we’d rather lose him from home for a little while than lose him forever. We just want him to do what he needs to do to get better.”

Upon completing his rehab stint on January 6, 2019, Matt took to Instagram to thank all his fans for their immense support throughout his journey.

Matt said, “I just wanted to thank you, everybody, for all of your overwhelming support and love and for all the messages."  He sounded really grateful to his fans as he said, "I wanted to tell you that you all have really made a difference in my life. One of the most important and the best thing that has ever happened to me was being able to take you all in the adventures with me. It’s kind of neat."

He mentioned, "I’m still in recovery. I’m in rehab still basically. Things are going really good. What I really like right now is that I’m able to part a part of all y’alls life, and I want to thank you for being a part of mine. God bless y’all. I love you.”

Right afterward, Matt launched a YouTube channel, Matt Brown, where he has openly shared about his life after rehab. The Discovery Channel reality star is sober now.