Addiction and recovery can both feel very lonely and confusing. Music is a wonderful way to get in touch with your feelings. Sometimes, our emotions become blocked through tumultuous times in our lives. Listening to words spoken in a song that sound a lot like your story about addiction or recovery can bring on emotional healing. You won’t feel so alone when you hear that your situation is not an isolated event. Music can heal your soul, lift you up, and inspire you. Recovery and addiction songs are powerful because you can identify with the stories. They know where you’ve been and they get to the heart of what you’re feeling. These songs also offer the kind of hope that maybe you’ve been missing. They offer advice and remind you of the benefits you get for committing to recovery.
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The Value of Music for Addiction Treatment
Music has been proven as an excellent method of therapy for many ailments and illnesses. That’s why studies continue to show that music therapy is helpful. There are many theories on why this is true. One theory looks at brain chemistry. Drugs release certain chemicals in the brain. Dopamine is one of the most important chemicals. It activates the reward center of the brain. The brain produces dopamine when you do drugs. That’s part of what makes them addictive. Music also produces dopamine. That happens when you listen to music or play it. This means music does more than inspire you to get clean. It also helps replace the dopamine your brain is used to. Music produces dopamine in a healthy and balanced way. This helps people re-adjust to a balanced brain chemistry. There’s another way that music helps. There’s lots of studies about how music helps with mental health. Addiction often comes with other mental health disorders. For example, many addicts also suffer from depression. Having another mental illness with addiction is called a co-occurring disorder. Treating a co-occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis, is difficult. That’s because it’s important to treat everything at once. However, it’s also very hard to do. Music offers a way to do just that.
Songs about Addiction
1. Breaking the Habit – Linkin Park
This song was written by one of the band members of Linkin Park. It’s about a close friend and his addiction to drugs. The lead singer had suffered addiction problems in the past. For the first year he sang it live, he would have a hard time performing without crying. I don’t know what’s worth fighting for Or why I have to scream I don’t know why I instigate And say what I don’t mean I don’t know how I got this way I know it’s not alright So I’m breaking the habit This song also shows another important thing about addiction. It shows that someone’s addiction affects the people around them. As a result, it offers another reason for someone to get clean. It taps into human’s love of others. It’s easier to do something for someone else for some people. Staying sober is something you need to do for yourself. But getting sober is something you can do for someone else. The song does this by showing the emotion the singer has for his friend. Addicts often feel isolated and alone. Songs like this can help them understand that people still care about them. This can help them find the courage they need to get treatment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYNeycNHnk
2. Somewhere I belong – Linkin Park
Somewhere I belong by Linkin Park is another powerful hit that cuts deeply into the soul of an addict. Linkin Park’s powerful sound can be a helpful way to get over resentful feelings. It helps you find the anger in yourself and where it’s coming from so you can heal. This song also shows something else about addiction. One of the most common things substance abusers describe is the feeling of being alone. That’s why groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are so successful. They help addicts understand that they’re not alone. The support networks these groups provide can be literal lifesavers. They help people break away from themselves. That means they don’t feel trapped and alone anymore. This gives people the courage to fight against addiction. I will never know myself Until I do this on my own And I will never feel anything else Until my wounds are healed I will never be anything Till I break away from me I will break away I’ll find myself today I wanna heal I wanna feel Like I’m somewhere I belong Another thing this song shows is the conflict within an addict. No one wants to be addicted. Instead, they “wanna heal”. But, they feel like there’s something that stops them. They feel separated from themselves. They can also feel hurt. This pain can make someone turn to drugs. They think that drugs provide an escape. However, the escape is only temporary. Instead of healing you, they make you feel worse. But it’s hard to have that kind of perspective when you’re addicted. Songs like this one can help addicts be honest with themselves. In turn, they can seek treatment. They can understand that the only way to actually heal is to get sober.
3. K’S Choice – Not an Addict
This song takes us through the motions of someone using drugs and trying to figure out if they’re an addict. It can be helpful for those listening to question their own addiction or understand signs of addiction. Another thing this song does is provide inspiration to get clean. It talks about how drugs have taken over the singer’s life. It also describes how you don’t have the same freedom when you’re addicted. That means it is a powerful tool to speak to addicts. It helps them understand what their addiction costs them. I’m not an addict (maybe that’s a lie) It’s over now, I’m cold, alone I’m just a person on my own Nothing means a thing to me Oh, nothing means a thing to me I feel alive Free me, leave me Watch me as I’m going down Free me, see me Look at me I’m falling And I’m falling……… It is not a habit, it is cool This song also does a great job of showing the mindset of an addict. Specifically, it shows how an addict can be in denial. The singer insists that substance use isn’t a habit. However, the very first line shows that he knows that isn’t the case. The line “(maybe that’s a lie)” is the singer’s sober mind. It’s attempting to show the real truth.
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4. Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Lead singer Anthony Kiedis wrote this song to talk about his lonely struggle with addiction. He sings about how narcotics has affected his life. The song has a very sad tone. Unlike some other songs, it’s not a glorification of drugs. It’s meant to show how addiction This song uses amazing metaphors for drug use. For example, using the phrase “where I drew some blood” refers to using needles. However, blood is also symbolic of life essence. In this way, it shows how drugs take over your life. This song is also very relevant to today’s world. This is because it’s about heroin. Heroin and other opiates and opioids have always been a problem. But the modern opioid epidemic has made the problem worse. Under the bridge downtown Is where I drew some blood Under the bridge downtown I could not get enough Under the bridge downtown Forgot about my love Under the bridge downtown I gave my life away The last line that we quote is especially important. Anthony Kiedis is saying that he didn’t control his life anymore. Instead, drugs controlled his life. That’s what leads to all of the other tragedy in the song. Instead of doing something, his addiction controlled his behavior. Earlier in the song the singer describes how lonely he is. This leads into the story of his drug use. It shows a feeling that’s common among addicts. They feel isolated. That makes them turn to drugs. They use drugs to escape from the feeling of loneliness. Lots of songs about addiction have this theme. Sometimes the singer uses the song as a way to express their pain. This helps to remove feelings of loneliness. It provides a way for the singer and audience to connect. They bond over common feelings. They also bond through common experiences. This act of bringing people together helps people find the courage they need to recovery. People say that recovery is a lonely road. But music, support groups, friends, and family mean that isn’t true. Recovery can be a lonely road. But it doesn’t have to be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLvohMXgcBo
5. Rehab – Amy Winehouse
This song may hit some addicts because this song illustrates how the subconscious mind refuses to let addicts help themselves. Despite many people trying to help her addiction, she refused to take recovery seriously. This is a mindset that many substance abusers have. They don’t think they have a problem. That means it’s hard for them to accept the help they need. It also means that they don’t really try to get better. This type of denial stands in the way of sober living. This song illustrates Amy’s refusal to attend treatment center for addiction. It can be a haunting reminder of what happens when recovery comes too late. Amy Winehouse lost her battle with addiction and passed away in 2011. They tried to make me go to rehab I said, no, no, no Yes, I been black But when I come back, you’ll know, know, know I ain’t got the time And if my daddy thinks I’m fine He’s tried to make me go to rehab I won’t go, go, go This song also acts as a warning story. Everyone knows what Amy Winehouse’s fate was. Her refusal to get clean and stay clean led to her untimely death. Realizing this can help someone make the choice to take their addiction treatment seriously. In fact, Rumer Willis cites Amy Winehouse as one of the reasons she chose sobriety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUmZp8pR1uc
6. Mary Jane’s Last Dance
The song “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” is a wonderful example of a song about addiction. In the song, Tom Petty talks about marijuana as a woman named Mary Jane. Throughout the song he constantly references feeling alone. He also talks about using the drug to escape the pain of being alone. No matter how you feel about marijuana, the song is a good look at the mindset of an addict. People use drugs for lots of different reasons. Some people use drugs because they’re bored. Others use drugs to self-medicate. Both of these choices can result in addiction. Also, the song shows how hard it is to break an addiction. The singer keeps going back one more time. He knows that it’s a bad idea. But he can’t stop himself. He lists lots of reasons he’s upset. These are all reasons people turn to drugs. They feel like they’re screwing up. Unfortunately, Tom Petty passed away recently. He died from an accidental overdose. The singer had a fractured hip. He was using lots of pain medication to deal with it. Even though Mary Jane’s Last Dance isn’t about opioids, its message is still relevant to the current crisis. Last dance with Mary Jane One more time to kill the pain I feel summer creepin’ in and I’m Tired of this town again Well I don’t know what I’ve been told You never slow down, you never grow old I’m tired of screwing up, I’m tired of goin’ down I’m tired of myself, I’m tired of this town Oh my my, oh hell yes You got to put on that party dress And grab me a drink, sing me a song, Take me as I come ’cause I can’t stay long Last dance with Mary Jane One more time to kill the pain I feel summer creepin’ in and I’m Tired of this town again There’s another element of this song that’s relevant to addiction treatment. Part of the reason the singer keeps using is because he’s “tired of this town”. Many people struggle with the decision to get treatment because they have to travel. But staying in the same town you’re in doesn’t make things better. Instead, it keeps you trapped in a life that fuels your addiction. That’s one of the reasons going to addiction treatment out of state can help. It gets you out of your daily habits. That makes it easier to focus on getting better. It also removes the temptation to use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aowSGxim_O8
Songs about Recovery
7. Sober – Pink
Pink talks about how it feels to be sober at a party and how comforting it is for her. The song also talks about the vices we choose. She gave up using drugs in 1995 and sings about the reward of being sober at a party with no desire to get high. The song also speaks to addicts another way. One of the hardest parts of getting clean is understanding a life without drugs. The line “But how do I feel this good sober?” shows this reflection. It demonstrates that, when you’re addicted, you can’t understand enjoying anything else. I’m safe Up high Nothing can touch me But why do I feel this party’s over? No pain Inside You’re my protection But how do I feel this good sober? The song also provides insights into the mind of an addict looking back. That means it provides wisdom for other addicts. One of the lines is “When it’s good, then it’s good, it’s so good till it goes bad”. That is a good way of describing substance abuse in a way that others can understand. Sometimes addicts don’t want to get help. They think that everything is good. Pink’s response to that is on point. It’s so good till it goes bad. This message can help people realize that their addiction is more than the moment they’re in. Without help, the addiction lasts forever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRNxC26NDzc
8. Straight Lines – Silver Chair
Straight Lines is about becoming a believer that you can make it through tough times and win. Some think this song reflects the 12-step belief that there is a higher power. The lead singer of Silver Chair, Daniel Johns, battled anorexia, depression, and arthritis. This is his story of recovery. Wake me up lower the fever Walking in a straight line Set me on fire in the evening Everything will be fine Wake me up strong in the morning Walking in a straight line Lately I’m a desperate believer But walking in a straight line It’s difficult to battle an addiction. It’s even more challenging when addiction happens with other mental health issues. This is known as co-occurring disorder. It’s important to treat other mental health issues with addiction. Things like depression and anxiety can make someone want to use again. People see drugs as an escape from these issues. However, this song does have a message of hope. The singer describes how much better they feel. In a way, the song parallels the detox process. Some users might want to be set on fire in the evening when they’re withdrawing. However, one day you’ll wake up strong in the morning. This shows that the bad parts of getting clean will end. When they do, you’ll feel better than ever before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47P3bzefCVI
9. The Girl You Lost to Cocaine – Sia
This song was written by Sia before she got sober. It’s about a toxic relationship and how her partner chose to drink and use cocaine over her. She used this song to express that she was triumphantly walking away from the negative lifestyle. This is another example of a song that can inspire people to get clean. Sia isn’t sad that she doesn’t do cocaine anymore. Instead, she’s proud. She’s only sad about one thing. The time that she lost to the drug. No. I just don’t want to, so I’m walking away There is nothing that you can do I will not stay No I don’t need drama, so I’m walking away I’m just a girl that you lost to cocaine This song helps people understand what they lose when they do drugs. One of the most important things you lose is yourself. That’s because you’re not in control anymore. Instead of you living your life, your addiction lives your life. ” column_min_width=”[object Object]” column_spacing=”[object Object]” rule_style=”[object Object]” rule_size=”[object Object]” rule_color=”[object Object]” hide_on_mobile=”[object Object]” class=”[object Object]” id=”[object Object]”][object Object]
Understanding Music and Addiction
As you can see, addiction and drugs play a prominent role in music. Some songs make drugs seem good. But there are lots of songs that talk about the pain drugs cause. There are also plenty of songs that describe how good it feels to be sober. There are lots of ways to use these songs. You can use them for inspiration. They can help motivate you to avoid drugs and alcohol. You can also use them as a way to connect. They can help you understand that you’re not alone in your struggle. This goes a long way in helping people reconnect to the world. Music can be a powerful way to help you feel hope and empowerment. The lyrics can describe your battle with addiction in ways you can’t express. Music also helps in other ways. It causes your brain to produce dopamine. That means it’s one way to replace the feeling you used to get from drugs. Music can also help with other mental health issues. These mental health issues might cause you to seek out drugs. Reducing mental illness helps make it easier to stay sober. This is especially true for issues like anxiety and depression. Luckily, these are also the issues that music Whether you’re still in the midst of addiction or on the road to recovery. Music allows you to relate to others. It makes it so you don’t feel so alone in your struggles. You may find great comfort in these songs and it can ease the pain you’re experiencing.
