Songs About Addiction
Can songs about addiction help you through an addiction and recovery? Music is a universal language. There have been decades of scientifically proven research showing music can reduce stress, improve motivation and reduce symptoms of depression. It is a powerful tool. When it comes to recovery from substance addiction, there are significant psychological benefits of listening to music and music therapy. It can be especially helpful when listening to songs about addiction and recovery.
Addiction is a brain disorder. It is characterized by chronic relapsing and compulsive drug-seeking behaviors despite repeated negative consequences. It is a mental health disease. Addiction and its problematic behaviors disrupt normal functioning and lead to life-threatening events such as overdose and death.
How can songs about Addiction impact recovery?
Music can be a powerful tool and provide comfort and understanding to those affected by substance addiction. Songs about addiction can explore messages and themes that can make you feel less alone in recovery. It can help you find your own power in someone else’s journey and experience with sobriety.
Songs about addiction can resonate with some and their personal experiences. It can offer comfort and help people feel seen and understood. In a way, it can be considered a support group in which those who relate to the song can feel as though they are part of a community.
The Negative Correlation Between Music and Addiction Recovery
Despite the many positive associations between music and addiction recovery, not all songs about addiction are about healing. There are some songs that glorify drug and alcohol use. This often mimics entertainment and the media in which drinking and using drugs is seen as “cool” and socially acceptable.
There are other times in which songs about addiction can lead to an association with your substance addiction in a negative way. It can lead to the development of cravings. Some songs can trigger these cravings and lead to a relapse in drug use. These songs are often associated with the person’s experience with drug use.
Themes behind Songs About Addiction
What artists sing and write about surrounding the topic of addiction and recovery covers a wide spectrum of ideas. Many themes are touched on when it comes to songs about addiction.
- Personal experience. There are many songs by artists who recount the experiences of their substance abuse journey. They channel those feelings and emotions into their music.
- Raising awareness. Some artists sing about addiction to bring attention and awareness to the often taboo topic. They put a spotlight on the social issues and the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction.
- Storytelling. Some songs create fictional stories or stories that may be based on real-life situations so that they can be related to those who may be experiencing the same things.
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Song about Addiction
- Recovery by James Arthur. English singer and songwriter James Arthur has been very open about his past substance abuse. He was the winner of the 9th season of the reality show The X Factor in 2012. His song Recovery talks about his own personal perspective and experience with substance addiction. It talks about the struggles of sobriety and taking ownership of the choices he made. The song talks about his decision to get sober and its positive influence on his life.
- Sober by P!nk. P!nk is an American singer and songwriter. She debuted in 2000 and has released eight studio albums. Her song Sober touches on the mental and emotional struggles of someone who has decided to remain sober. In the song, she talks about the long-term benefits of sobriety despite the difficult journey it took to get there. She also talks about recognizing the feelings of being safe and untouchable while being high, but in her sober state realizes the power of her present sobriety.
- Starting Over by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. An estimated 40-60% of recovering addicts have relapsed at some point in their recovery journey. This song talks about addiction relapse and the honest truths about how it can make a person feel. At times it can feel like you’re moving backward in your sobriety journey or that you have failed. However, relapse is a very normal part of addiction recovery. This song shows that despite setbacks like relapsing, there is still light and positivity at the end of the journey that you just have to get back on.
- Hunger by Florence and the Machine. The song was originally written as a poem. The song discusses the singer’s battle with alcoholism and drugs while also experiencing an eating disorder. All the while searching for love in all the wrong places. The song normalizes the word hunger associated with the desires of addiction when users are in their toxic state of mind. The song talks about the false promises of love and how people who struggle with addiction are prone to chasing it through substance use and falling further into a vicious cycle of abuse.
- Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park. Those who are in recovery understand how easy it can be to put off getting sober. In this song, lead singer Chester Bennington talks about his own experience with addiction recovery and his feelings of confusion and helplessness when you become addicted to drugs. The song is a wake-up call to get sober and encourages others to do the same.
How music can help heal people in Addiction Recovery
- Listening to music can help you release pent-up emotions you may be carrying. People can channel their energy into listening to music that can make you feel calm and relaxed.
- Listening to music can help increase motivation and give you a boost of feel-good positive energy.
- Listening to music can help enhance self-awareness. Music can help you learn more about yourself and the types of beats and rhythms you like or dislike.
- Listening can help you improve your cognition and memory retention. Studies have shown that listening to classical music for over a long period of time can improve a person’s ability to focus and recall facts.
- Listening to music can promote positive social interactions. You can bond and create social connections with others through shared liked artists and music. Along the way, you can develop positive friendships and relationships because you have similar music tastes.
- Listening to music can support a healthy self-image. For example, learning to play an instrument can promote creativity in which you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride within yourself.
- Listening to music helps to decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. When you’re feeling down, putting on one of your favorite songs can instantly boost your mood.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
Listening to music can be therapeutic in addiction recovery. Listening to songs about addiction can help encourage you to stay sober and celebrate the positives in recovery. Music is a universal language and a powerful to that can translate to anyone of any diverse background. There are many songs about addiction and recovery that have influenced people to seek help for their addiction or continue on their addiction journey.
Hotel California by the Sea is a behavioral health treatment program that provides the tools, resources and support for substance use disorder. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and family therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in recovery and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/songs-about-addiction
https://zinniahealth.com/substance-use/blog/best-songs-about-addiction
https://www.addictionhelp.com/songs-about-addiction
https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/power-music-fighting-drug-dependence
https://mastercenter.com/overcoming-drug-addiction-songs/