Addiction and the Entertainment Industry

As most of you know since November 2015, many musicians have passed away.  While some have died of natural causes, others deaths have been associated with drug and alcohol addiction.  I will not speculate what may have happened in certain instances as that's what 'certain' people like to hear. However, since I'm a former musician and have music as a HUGE part of my life, I wanted to write an article on the addictions that have plagued musicians, actors, and entertainers of all kind. Even though I've always liked wild and crazy music, and music of all kinds, I have always stayed away from drugs and alcohol. Of course, I drink every now and then but not consistently. While many of the songs I like have drug references, I felt that didnt mean I had to partake in them. I always found the 'high' in listening to the music itself. In addition, despite the fact that certain people consider certain musicians 'evil', I am proud to still be a Christian. The rock star lifestyle has been synonymous with alcohol, heavy drug use and anonymous sex. In addition, actors, pro wrestlers, and entertainers of all kind have been known to have a variety of vices. Many people's lives have been cut short. Lots of men and women didnt live to see their 50th or 40th birthday. In some of the saddest cases, they never even lived to see their 30th. I've read many books on musicians. I can tell you that the fact that the members of Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, Greg Allman, Willie Nelson, Ace Frehley (Kiss), , Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Motley Crue, Megadeth, certain members of Metallica, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Lita Ford, Courtney Love, Dave Grohl and Pantera are still alive is Amazing to say the least. The abuses they did to their bodies were extravagant and would kill most people. Actors get addicted to drugs as well. The thing about entertainment is that its considered an escape from reality. As entertainers, its easy to wish to escape from reality as that what their art form is, an escape. When the concert or movie lights come up, its hard for entertainers to deal with reality. Many times, they realize they are not as important off stage as they were on stage. While I cant speak for specific people, I just think that that's one of the psychological bearings behind the addiction of entertainers. In the case of touring rock stars, intense travel can also contribute to the use uppers and downers to keep them going on a regular basis. Of course, drugs and alcohol are not the only addictions out there. The only two rock stars I know of that have openly admitted to not abusing drugs or alcohol are Gene Simmons and Ted Nugent. However, both had a Huge Vice for Sex. I don;t know if what both men did constitutes a sexual addiction, but they definitely had a huge vice for it. Some People have abused certain things while keeping straight on the other. Alice Cooper had a huge alcohol problem in the 70s and early 80s before becoming sober and finding God.. However, he claims he has Never Cheated on his wife. Regardless of what ones addictions may be, I feel that the entertainment lifestyle will only take you down IF YOU LET IT. As much a fun as entertaining people is, one must return to reality. I've told people before that Ill never really truly Grow Up and I mean that in a certain sense. I have long hair, Wear Rock Shirts, Watch Cartoons and like to have fun. However, I realize that there are responsibilities I have in the real world. I have to pay bills, look after my family and, most importantly, take care of my own health and well being. I like to have fun in life but I know I have to harness the Fun. Drugs and Alcohol are not going to help me harness the fun. I know that for sure. The Former, and in some cases, Current Lifestyles of my heroes doesnt appeal to me. As I said, I get my fulfillment out of their works and artistry. I think if more people had this type of mentality as it relates to entertainment, there might somewhat lesser addictions. Hey, It's Possible!!