Why do so many musicians get hooked on drugs, etc.?

[LotusCarsLtd52]

I can easily bring to mind numerous musicians who have become addicted to drugs, sex, alcohol, or any number of things during their careers and either kicked the habit or died before they could.

So what is it about the touring/rock lifestyle that leads to drug/substance abuse and/or addictive behaviors? Stress? Hedonism (not always the case, but certainly so for some musicians)? Crazy environment?

There seem to be many musicians who unfortunately got into the trap of drugs, etc. It's a really sad reality, but how does it happen and why?

And I do hope "band management" is the right forum for this!

[fr35h]

I think that because musicians tend to be more free-minded individuals, they're more likely to try drugs regardless of the warnings society gives about them. It doesn't help that most of today's drug education is blatant propaganda with a high ratio of scare tactics to the truth. This just encourages people to try drugs once they discover that there is some serious truth-bending going on. Unfortunately, the people one associates with when dealing with drugs can tend to lead one into very unhealthy and destructive lifestyles. Most people that start experimenting with drugs usually don't take it past a little pot and relatively harmless softer substances until their dealer or other peer tries to get them into the nasty, addictive hard drugs.

[Craig_S]

I think it's because they're insecure and weak minded. That's what I've found in my personal dealings, anyway.

[Lady Kayri]

While I agree that the 'anti-establishment' mindset, availability of $$, etc have something to do with it - I have to ask, contrarian that I am, do more musos actually use 'controlled substances,' or is it just that they get more ink spent on them than your average Joe & Josephine? How many auto mechanics smoke weed at home, after they get off work? Or is it like Tiger Woods & infidelity - he gets the publicity, while if Plumber Joe taps a skank on the side, no one but Joe and the women involved give a ****?

[BlackElan]

Ones that become addicts are the ones that have childhood trauma issues, the best artists are the ones that usually get hooked on drugs kind of like the irritant in a oyster.

[bassforce]

Originally Posted by LotusCarsLtd52

Why do so many musicians get hooked on drugs, etc.?

Because it's fun

[enemybass]

tourbusses are boring places

[Joe Nerve]

I don't think musicians are any more prone to drug and alcohol abuse than anyone else.

[Bruce Lindfield]

There is a line going back to the 19th century though, of artists who thought they could tap into their creative potential through things like opium - Victorian poets and ancient shaman have seen drugs as a way to bring out parts of their subconscious mind that are untapped in daily life.

I think that artists in the 60s promoted this view more widely - from the Beatles' trippy music onwards...linking creativity and mind-expanding drugs...?

[JoZac21]

There's definitely a correlation between creative people and substance use. Not sure what it is... I actually did a paper in psych class once on the subject. My conclusion was that although there is very obviously a correlation, and that the correlation is well documented in the psych community, there hasn't been a single study (that I can find) that successfully explains why or how the correlation exists.

It's kind of a non-answer... but I got an A on the paper.

[fenderfunker]

OOPs, I just stuck the coke spoon in my eye. Every place I play at has drugs, booze, women, cigarettes etc. They can be fun, when used recreationally, but some people don't/can't put the breaks on. Maybe it's an anaesthetic for a problem they're not willing/able to confront. Often it gives weak people more confidence, or traumatized people some relief...or overly sensitive types, artists/musicians, a little peace...just guessing, not like I'd take drugs or anything.

[quilttopjazz24]

Originally Posted by BlackElan

Ones that become addicts are the ones that have childhood trauma issues...

Ding-ding -- I think you hit it on the head there BlackElan. Dr. Gabor Maté's newest book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts deals with that theme at length. Highly recommended...

[Bassist4Life]

apparently, it's a "goal" for some musicians...

Bill Evans said in his book that he wanted to be "the biggest junkie in the band".

[Sunnburn]

Have you ever smoked Marijuana and listened to or played music? Lsd? I can only imagine that heroin is tenfold since a lot of great albums were written under its influence. Maybe certain drugs allow people perspective from a different angle.

[Shaun_Bass0]

A short haired, slacks and shirts wearing, clean, sober respectable Guns N' Roses just wouldn't have worked with it???

[roysloco]

Lots of reasons:

A lot of creative people are insecure and will do what's required to be thought of as cool.

I know people who won't take to the stage without a drink. They put out a rock-n-roll attitude about it, but knowing them I can honestly say it's because they lack the self-confidence to face the audience without that crutch.

I once spent an evening hanging out with a guy who was a session guitarist who 'back in the day' had played for Cream, Rolling Stones, Elton John (he's now a church worship leader). He told me that major dealers would come to the after show parties with as much free junk as you wanted - it was pretty much an accepted part of the scene back then.

I think the bottom line is: Because they can get away with it.

If there's no consequence, then a weak-minded person will probably end up a mess.

If I turned up to work stoned or drunk, I'd be unemployed.
If a musician turns up to 'work' stoned or drunk ...

[davec]

In many cases it allows someone (manager/label) to have control or at least put a leash on the artist (cashcow) and therefore be able to lead them where ever you want. Most heavily drug influenced bands never do there own publishing/producing and get to the place where the real money is.

[R. Laevinus]

It's 'cause we're all bat**** crazy, obviously. Similar to how a vast percentage (as compared to the general public) of persons suffering from depression are heavy smokers - it's an attempt to self-medicate.

The best musicians and artists in general are often those who are slightly less-than-normal in one regard or another. Many of us suffer from mental illness, to one extent or another. (All the better-than-mediocre players I have ever worked with, and a large number of the mediocre and poor ones, have had some sort of craziness going on).

Add to that the anger which a visionary often feels because of his inappreciation by society, his inability to devote sufficient time/resources to his passion, and all the other stresses we suffer as a group, especially those of us in the big leagues, and it's areally no surprise.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I don't think musicians are any more prone to drug and alcohol abuse than anyone else.

+1. Mythology aside, l'd like to see some actual numbers that demonstrate that drug abuse is more frequent among "creative" types.

[knumbskull]

art and hedonism have gone hand in hand throughout history. people used to try and push the boundaries of their consciousness in order to get inspiration, enlightenment, creativity.

also, it's a lot harder to drive a forklight when you're stoned and drunk, than it is to play guitar.