Alcoholism and bass players

[Sufenta]

Just wondering if any of you have dealt with it and what you did about it.

[JanusZarate]

This one should probably be in the Miscellaneous or Off-Topic forums.

[bongomania]

Strangely worded post.

1) belongs in a different forum, maybe "bassists" or "band management"
2) do you mean how self-admitted alcoholics have handled their own lives, or do you mean how non-alcoholic bass players have handled alcoholic bass players, or what do you mean?

[20db pad]

I was an active alcoholic for 10 years or so, and this was along with the various drugs that accompanied the music profession at the time.

Things got so bad that I became an alcoholic/addict who played bass, as opposed to a bassist with a substance abuse problem. Eventually, you get to the point where you can't live with alcohol, and you can't live without it.

I got scared of dying as a result of this, so I rehabbed, went to 3-5 A.A. meetings a week, and I've been clean and sober for 7 years. As it is with almost all people in recovery, I did all this legwork and made all this effort because I wanted it bad enough. I saw that a happy, sucessful life without alcohol or drugs was possible if I lived the way that the people who work the program do.

[Mark Wilson]

Congratulations!


-Mark

[Sufenta]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

This one should probably be in the Miscellaneous or Off-Topic forums.

I realize that, but let this one go.

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by Sufenta

I realize that, but let this one go.

No offense (since this is obviously a serious topic that needs to be discussed openly), but there is a reason TB has different forums that address different topics. If I'm coming off as sounding harsh, I apologize, since I respect anyone who's willing to be open and direct about important issues.

[jobo4]

I have been sober for 22 months now. My playing has improved tremendously, as well as all other aspects of my life, since I quit drinking and using.

I too have found a place playing in a gospel bad, but you can still play bars and be sober. In AA we learn we can go anywhere we would like as long as we have a good reason to be there.

IMHO Most people play better when they are sober. I certainly do.

[tlwaps]

People do play better sober. I was never an alcoholic or drug addict but a few of the guys in my old band were. Basically it boiled down to us or the abuse; 2 chose abuse and 1 chose us. He quit doing coke, x and shrooms all the time and he performed 10x better. His ability to write improved ten fold and he overall became a better person/musician.

[workdaddy]

i quit drinking about 3 and a half years ago. for me, my life was kind of hitting a wall......no place else to go but backwards and down. during my prime, i would drink at least a 12 pack a night, more on the weekends and band practice(tues. and thrus.) i drank alone, yeah, with nobody else. everyday, afterwork, sat. and sun. mornings, i had not played bass sober in 8 years. since i have quit drinking, i feel alot better. it is tough to keep up on an everyday drinking schedule. tough on your body. i dont wake up feeling like **** anymore. though it took about two weeks after quiting to feel better. when i drank i had nothing. no emotion and definately no money. now, i am married, own a home, 3 cars, a brown dog, a ken smith, and i have a child on the way. life for me is definately better without drinking. i still drink non-alcoholic beers nearly every day, because i really do enjoy the taste.

[Sufenta]

Originally Posted by workdaddy

i quit drinking about 3 and a half years ago. for me, my life was kind of hitting a wall......no place else to go but backwards and down. during my prime, i would drink at least a 12 pack a night, more on the weekends and band practice(tues. and thrus.) i drank alone, yeah, with nobody else. everyday, afterwork, sat. and sun. mornings, i had not played bass sober in 8 years. since i have quit drinking, i feel alot better. it is tough to keep up on an everyday drinking schedule. tough on your body. i dont wake up feeling like **** anymore. though it took about two weeks after quiting to feel better. when i drank i had nothing. no emotion and definately no money. now, i am married, own a home, 3 cars, a brown dog, a ken smith, and i have a child on the way. life for me is definately better without drinking. i still drink non-alcoholic beers nearly every day, because i really do enjoy the taste.

Thanks +1. I gotta go to practice.

[BassDudeSA]

No drinking problem here, but I'll go off-topic in an off-topic post. I have been in bands before where at least one person was either a full blown alcoholic, or at least had a drinking problem. Never again. A bandmember with a drinking (or drugging) problem is like a spouse with the same problem (well, ALMOST as bad anyway). It brings the whole band down, and then you feel like you are a loser just for being in a band with a loser. No offense to anybody here I hope, but drinkers and druggers can really bring down a good band. Having one or two drinks during a gig is one thing, but if it goes far enough for a band member to get a good buzz going, that band has got a problem. Although the one drinking probably doesn't even realize it.

[iamlowsound]

I have a few friends that I would consider alcholics, but non of them play an insturment. Kind of sad when you think that they are just 18-19, I might have the ocansional drink at a party, but nothing more.

lowsound

[Fong249]

I know this is a guitarist thing, but Zakk Wylde (i feel) plays better when hes a little schnockered. I've heard some of his playing when hes sobered and it doesnt sound nearly as gritty or fun.

[nonohmic]

Originally Posted by Fong249

I know this is a guitarist thing, but Zakk Wylde (i feel) plays better when hes a little schnockered. I've heard some of his playing when hes sobered and it doesnt sound nearly as gritty or fun.

Guns and Roses were on the Jack Daniels diet for most of their careers.

I was never allowed to play drunk cause i suck. Hard.

[AHbassist]

god sum of you guys are soooo weird about this topic not being placed in the right forum, obviously it's not but y can't u just let it go? The guy asked about alcoholism, not if he was in the right forum.

[JJBACOOMBA]

Originally Posted by Sufenta

Just wondering if any of you have dealt with it and what you did about it.

Way to Go! I fell that putting this post in this forum is ok cause its the most read of all the forums.At least he is giving his fellow musicians sober or not something to think about. More power to ya.I myself , have cut down on the drinking BIGTIME. I dont even do drugs anymore. I play better now than I have in years.Its a great feeling knowing you can do something, especially something you love without any of the"distractions". Been there,done it, got the divorce. I always tell other musicians that seem to be headed down that path, " ya play the game, eventually ya lose , and when ya do you have to pay up. BIGTIME!!!! Good luck and God Bless to all you guys and gals who think or know they have a problem with alcohol or drugs.Your not alone in the fight.

[jdombrow]

I was a daily heavy drinker for nearly 20 years, starting around age 17. My playing definitely suffered as a result of my drinking, and I certainly embarrassed myself a number of times. At age 35 I quit drinking and got involved with AA. It was absolutely the most significant decision I've made in my life.

That was almost 17 years ago. I still go to meetings several times a week, and have a large group of friends in recovery. EVERY aspect of my life has improved.

During early sobriety I quit playing and sold all my gear. I knew I needed to stay out of the clubs and stop hanging with other musicians that drank heavily. I've never been religious, so playing in a church group was not something I was considsering at the time.

After few years of sobriety, I got the bug and bought some gear. I've been playing regularly ever since. I'm a better musician and a much better band member.

If anyone is wondering about their drinking habits, life is definitely better sober.

[Kelly Lee]

Originally Posted by AHbassist

god sum of you guys are soooo weird about this topic not being placed in the right forum, obviously it's not but y can't u just let it go? The guy asked about alcoholism, not if he was in the right forum.

Sorry but that is how things work here. You don't ask about amps in the EFFECTS forum and you don't ask about alcoholism is the BASSES forum.

This needs to be moved.

[workdaddy]

relax, have a drink. edit....see post above.


( EDIT MM) Thats not something you say to someone struggling with Substance Abuse/Addiction.