Why so many musicians have substance abuse issues
It will like come as no surprise that substance abuse is an endemic issue in the music industry, with artists and musicians far more likely to suffer from addiction. Here, we look at some of the lifestyle factors that contribute to this, and what can be done to combat it.
In this latest piece from MusicThinkTank, contributor M Banks weighs in on why so many musicians struggle with substance abuse and addiction.
“Due to the music industry’s competitive nature, it’s only a matter of time before artists begin to experience the effects of stress and loneliness. After having dozens of recording studios slam the door in their face, band members may start to give up hope and turn to drugs and alcohol to drown out the pain of rejection.
Meanwhile, those who still believe they’ll succeed will isolate themselves from their friends and family and dive headlong into writing and producing music. Even if they do make a name for themselves, they’ll spend years on the road and live a life of monotony, playing for strangers day in and day out. Eventually, this lifestyle can drive many musicians to numb their emotions with various substances. “
