Signs that a musician is addicted

A musician is not a regular person in society. They are one of the individuals who have an elevated status, and they fall into the category “celebrities”.

A musician will remain in limelight for a very long time provided they keep meeting the expectations of their fans. This means that they need to continue to work very hard to keep entertaining people who love their music.  

It doesn’t rain every day for the regular musician, as they have their bad days. This is one of the inevitable happenings that musicians are afraid of, and this is why they strive hard to avoid this.

Musicians work hard to get better each time to avoid letting their fans down. Some of them burn out in the process, and they rely on some addiction types to keep them going.

Here are some of the signs a musician is addicted

  • They avoid impromptu performances

If you notice that a talented musician does not like performing during impromptu occasions, they might be addicted. Some of them need alcohol and drugs to boost their morale before any performance.

If they have access to substances that will help them perform better, they will take them discreetly before their performance. Similarly, they don’t like to freestyle in public because they have nothing motivating them internally.

  • Health problems

When you hear that a musician falls ill regularly, there is a chance that they are addicted. Abusing alcohol coupled with health problems can alleviate some of the health problems that a musician is facing.

Worse still, other serious health complications can occur. There might be damage to their internal organs like kidneys, liver, heart, brain, etc.

Other signs that a musician is addicted, are physical signs that will be noticeable if you are around them. Ultimately, any deviation from the norm is an indication that your favorite musician might be struggling with addiction.

THE ADDICTED LIFESTYLE OF A MUSICIAN

Musicians have the tendency to be addicted and you will understand why in this piece. Typically, a musician would either be addicted to drugs or alcohol.

This does not mean that they do not face other forms of addiction, it only suggests that the above-mentioned substances are what most of them indulge in.

The reason why a musician is susceptible to addiction is because of how they are wired. Just like visual artists, musicians are very creative individuals who express themselves and various happenings with the use of music.

Basically, music is their mode of communication and if you are someone who loves and understand music, they will find it easy to connect with you.

Musicians invest couple of hours to produce a good song that their listeners would listen to.

The sad part behind this is, not all of them would love it. And the musician has to be prepared for it. No matter the volume of input invested in a craft, not everyone would appreciate it because we are wired differently.

Due to this, some musicians take it to heart and they become discouraged. So, in a bid to cure their discouragement, they will strive to perform better and they end up putting themselves over the edge.

In order to keep up with the extreme stress they have caused themselves, they become addicted to either a behavior or substance.

Closely related to this is the fact that musicians are always stressed because of the long hours they spend working on their music. A good number of them do not know how to cool off this stress and this is why some of them end up addicted.

A musician needs to put his or health into utmost consideration and it does not boil down to their physical health alone, their mental health is equally important. This can be achieved by implementing safe health practices that would help to foster a good state of health.

For musicians who are addicted, it is safe to visit an addiction treatment counselor who would help them get better.

HANDLING THE FAME THAT COMES WITH BEING A MUSICIAN

A musician is no ordinary citizen of a community/city/town/country, he or she is a celebrity who is always in the limelight.

Musicians are individuals who have plethora of fans and they are saddled with the opportunity of keeping their fans happy and engaged each time. When a musician falls short of expectation, there is usually an outrage from fans who would always expect something better.

So, musicians would always strive to make sure that they get better by the day. For the successful ones who have great music skills and are adept at honing them properly, they get famous by the day and the pressure increases too.

Not all musicians know how to handle fame. As a matter of fact, not all of them have the courage to handle stage fright and some of them resort to external aid in the process.

At first, there seems to be a positive effect in using these substances but later on, it becomes an addictive process for them.

One of the proficient ways by which musicians can handle their fame is receiving constructive criticisms from their fans.

During times when they do not perform well, their fans are supposed to accept them with love and not prejudice. The way fans react determine to a great extent how their favorite musicians would thrive.

Some musicians know how to handle fame and criticisms. This is why they will rarely react when they are criticized.

Musicians need to know that even though people love their craft, not everyone would take it cool with them when they do not perform well. So, in the music industry, it is safe to expect backlash from time to time.

In addition to this, it is also great for musicians to get mental health treatment for themselves.

So, even though, they do not have mental health problems at the moment, it is best to undergo checkups in order to prevent it. Putting this into action would save musicians moments of sad thoughts and self-criticism.

HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MUSICIAN

In order for one to be a successful musician, there is a huge need for right positioning in the music industry, as there are ongoing changes which are occurring. Anyone who is not acquainted with the latest trend could be left in the dark, and it is very difficult to achieve success in this state.

For you to be a successful musician, the following steps should advisably be followed:

  • Connecting with fans: It is necessary for an upcoming musician to make conscious efforts in order to connect with fans, as it is pivotal to your success as a musician. There is a need for you to maintain and increase your fan base, and this can be achieved by connecting with your listeners. Try to make a good impression for each performance, and with time, you would observe that the audience would always want to see you exhibit.
  • Play in line with your strength: It is essential that you know what your strengths are as a musician. It is one thing to write a good song with great lyrics, and it is another thing for your fan base to love the song. Now, you should bear in mind that the reason why you have a fan-base, is because these set of people love the format of your song. Hence, you should strive to ensure that your songs are tailored in that light; in your strength.
  • Brand publicity: You need to make efforts to ensure that your brand is well-known. You could start off with some really cool graphics, and ensure that everyone around you has it. If you are someone whose forte is not publicity, then it would be advisable for you to hire a promoter, who would assist you in ensuring that your brand is popular.
  • Do not wait for a record label: This is one mistake which upcoming musicians tend to make. They are usually of the opinion that the availability of a record label would help them to boost their profile. However, it would be more beneficial if you do the hard work yourself. A good number of musicians who belong to record labels, hardly release their own music, and even if they do, the profit realized from it, would be shared, thereby reducing your cut.

Recovering From the Music Celebrity Lifestyle

celebrity musician recoveryMusic celebrity may initially seem like a fun circus, but ultimately, it proves to be a dizzying, nauseating ride. Most people only see the glitter and glow of the music industry: the fame, the “rock star” persona, the party lifestyle and the fan base. What they do not see is how fickle the industry is, how it will promise you success and glory beyond your wildest dreams, but in actuality, what it does is chew you up and spit you out.

Celebrity status as a musician is a very fickle, short lived thing. When it arrives, it feels like it will last forever. Celebrity musicians take their money and blow it on an extravagant existence that always features them in the lime light. They attend parties and bask in the glow of their success. The problem is, if you do not keep reinventing yourself as a musician and offering your audience new reasons to love you, they will fall away, taking your industry success and glory with them.

The substance abuse that celebrity musicians often engage in is another element of musical fame that may seem fun at first but ends with dire consequences. Music celebrities are constantly being offered drugs and alcohol as a reward for their success. Entertainment industry people and party people alike bring it to them consistently, and many people fall into the habit of using and drinking on a regular basis. As their addiction and substance abuse problems take over their careers, they are left ragged and used up, only to find that the party has moved on without them. Frequently, a musician’s drug and alcohol problem result in deteriorated health or even death.

The sex opportunities that are thrown at celebrities are also something they are known to fall head over heels for. Everyone knows that music celebrities are often sexual icons. Many of them are also aware of this and use it to their advantage, hooking up with every piece of tail that comes their way. What they do not account for is that their every move is being followed by the paparazzi who are eager to report their affairs. Sleeping around will quickly damage a musician’s reputation.

The Burnout of Music Celebrity

music celebrity burnoutWhen we observe a musician who used to be famous but used their fame toward debauchery instead of developing their talent, we find this very sad. Sad that talent was wasted and sad that a person was so mislead in their priorities. If they managed to continue writing good music through their debauchery, that is one thing, but if they rose to fame only to exploit it and live a life of excess instead of advance their careers, that is a disappointment. The iconic washed up musician is a sad prospect to us, yet there are so many of them. They can be identified by their lechery, their addictive tendencies and substance abuse, and their tendency to milk their celebrity.

Lechery is a word more commonly applied to men, but it can be applied to women as well. A lecher is one who displays excessive, offensive sexual advances. Music celebrities tend to do a lot of this because they know their celebrity status commands sex appeal. When it becomes creepy is when celebrity musicians abuse their powers and overly sexualize themselves and others. Even people who used to be loyal fans of theirs will take notice of this behavior and will think less of them.

Another common trait of former music celebrities is addiction and substance abuse. This is perhaps their most well known calling card. So many musicians go down this road to their own detriment. They achieve fame and embrace the party lifestyle, accepting drugs and alcohol from everyone who offers them. They abandon their former devotion to their craft in order to be wasted full time. Not only does this jeopardize their health and safety, but it also loses them a great deal of respect among their fan base.

In general, when former celebrity musicians ride out their celebrity for its perks instead of respecting their careers and musicianship, it is very disappointing. So many musicians who have shown great promise quit working hard at their first taste of fame in order to revel in their fame. Imagine the great musical works of art that could have been created if these musicians were not distracted by the glitter of celebrity.

Fame and Recognition

recognition and fameThe desire of every true musician is to be recognized for their musical compositions and contribute to the continuum of good quality music. Unfortunately, with fame and recognition frequently comes opportunities to overdose, abuse substances and become addicted. Famous musicians are frequently offered alcohol, drugs, sex and other addictive substances or activities simply because of their iconic status. Not every musician accepts these offers. Some are of a very oppositional ethical standing. But many who are young and experimental jump on board for the ride and are not able to control the outcome.
When musicians are first starting out, their love for music is their driving passion, and fans and peers alike are drawn to the creative light they emit. However, their glowing appeal can be tarnished if they slip into the grasp of addiction or substance abuse. For many musicians, it simply begins as a social habit. They are invited to more high profile parties and social occasions than they have been to in the past, and are more surrounded by partying and excess then ever before. This naturally has an influence on their own lifestyle, even if they are merely trying to fit in at first. Some are more resistant than others. Some were anticipating this kind of lifestyle and cannot wait to experiment with whatever comes their way.
Overtime, substances and addictive activities become a more established part of the artist’s life. Their careers begin to revolve around it. Their music is written about it. They are under the influence when composing. Their spare time revolves around indulging. This is usually the point when a musician’s craft begins to deteriorate. Musicians who have foresight and are more resistant to addictive tendencies will rethink their decisions and clean up their acts. But those who become lost in this world of excess and indulgence are in for a very hard future.

Sex, Drugs and Alcohol Leads to Public Meltdown

alcohol sex drugsWhen a celebrity musician ignores warning signs, pleas from friends and family and their own better judgment to end their substance abuse and addiction by whatever means necessary, it is consistently to their own demise. Addiction and substance abuse are paths frequented by celebrity musicians, and the extreme cases are not pretty. Highly talented artists who were well-respected for their musical abilities have been lost to addiction and substance abuse, either professionally or mortally. Some are simply brazen about their substance abuse or addiction while others badly want to quit but do not know how. Either way, doing nothing to reverse the unhealthy lifestyle often ends in professional ruin or death.

The tragic cases are the hardest ones to swallow. When a celebrity musician is addicted to something like alcohol that is seldom the cause of immediate death, it frequently ends in the ruin of their career. A drinking problem never helped anyone succeed at anything, and the music industry is no exception. Judy Garland is an example of a career that declined drastically due to alcohol abuse. Many of her later career appearances exhibited clear signs of her alcoholism. Garland, as well as artists such as Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday and many more lost their lives to drug overdoses or alcoholism, leaving their loved ones and fans to mourn them.

On a more hopeful note, other celebrity musicians who struggle with addiction or substance abuse make a full recovery. Musicians such as Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones and Johnny Mathis are both in their seventies, and live to tell about their personal recoveries from extreme substance abuse. For some musicians, the respect for their craft is enough to bring them back to sobriety. Others wisely seek addiction and substance abuse treatment to restore the quality of their lives and their music. This goes to show that it is never too late to regain your life, even when you are a celebrity musician receiving addictive offers as part of the job.

Why Music Celebrity and Addiction Go Together

addiction and celebrity musiciansI will never forget my mother telling me about the time she saw her musical idol in concert, and he was so drunk that he nearly fell off the stage. She was heart broken and moved away from his music after that incident. It is not an accident that addiction and substance abuse are particular to the culture of music celebrity. In fact, some research has shown that people who tend toward creative endeavors are naturally more inclined toward substance abuse and addiction.

The story is all too familiar. A young musician starts out penniless and passionate, requiring nothing but their instrument and some performance space to get by. For them, it is about nothing but creating and performing music to the best of their ability. Most musicians are particularly focused when they are working to begin their careers.

When their hard work and dedication is received with praise and fan-ship, a musician has fulfilled their primary purpose in life. Their craft has been honored and their talent validated. Having made it to a celebrity status in their career, they feel that they are on top of the world.

However, the lifestyle of celebrity is quickly revealed to come with trials and temptations. The stress of having no privacy deeply affects the lives of many celebrities. To cope, an overwhelming availability of drugs and alcohol are made available to them, as well as other addictive substances and activities. Musicians and other artists are commonly sensitive, feeling personalities who seek life to the fullest end, and are naturally inclined toward experimentation. Thus, the indulgence in addictive substances and activities begins.

The experimental nature of an artist can quickly work against them when dealing with addictive substances and activities. The desire to go further into the high or mood alteration that an artist craves leads them into a habit that cannot be controlled, and the musician’s addiction begins. Their illustrious musical career becomes tarnished as performances diminish and creative ability decreases. Their following begins to notice changes in their appearance and behaviors, and it is only a matter of time before their problem is exploited in the media.

Some musicians recover from addiction and substance abuse, usually by returning to their musical drive, while others are defeated by it, losing their careers and even their lives. It is a tragedy when lives and talent are destroyed by addiction and substance abuse, and musicians should know that help is available to them if they are seeking a way out of addiction or substance abuse. Musicians struggling with addiction in Canada should seek treatment in substance abuse Vancouver, Edmonton or Toronto.