As the story goes, Winehouse’s public struggles with heroin addiction prompted her management team to encourage her to go to rehab. They refuse to believe they have an addiction to drugs or alcohol in spite of all the evidence. The problem is, most addicted people stay in a perpetual cycle of denial. Winehouse serves as an example of how recovery depends on someone admitting there’s a problem and wanting to change.
People try to “make” addicted people go to rehab, but they say no. Few songs capture the cycle of addiction like this chart-topping hit. She died tragically of a drug overdose in 2011 at the young age of 27. “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.” I think fans would agree when we say that we truly wished Amy Winehouse would have gone to rehab. For this reason, we’ve put together a short list of songs that really get to the heart of drug addiction, the effect it can have on your life, and the feelings it stirs up about recovery. Some believe listening to songs about addiction can act as a kind of music therapy, which can have a therapeutic effect during recovery. Some of them have gone on to write songs about recovery after they have gotten sober (Eminem is a perfect example with his Relapse album in 2009 and the subsequent Recovery album in 2010.). Over the years, many great artists have written songs about addiction. The Benefit About Listening To Songs About Addiction If You’re In Recovery “We treat both addiction and co-occurring disorders and accept many health insurance plans. It tells us that others have shared in our personal struggles, survived, and found a way to enjoy life without drugs and alcohol. Songs about addiction speak to our personal history and let us know we are not alone in the world. In some strange way, hearing the words of another human being who has struggled with substance abuse is cathartic. Don’t you totally want to wallow in sadness during a breakup and listen to other people sing about their breakups!? Gwen Stefani’s “ Don’t Speak” immediately comes to mind!) Music inspired by the pain that comes with having a drug or alcohol problem calls out to those of us who have been there.
(Of course, it’s also true about break-up songs. This is especially true when it comes to songs about addiction and recovery.
This connection transcends race, gender, economic status, and social barriers. One author wrote in Psychology Today that “music is a universal language.” We hear lyrics that speak to us and immediately feel a profound human connection. Oh, but, music! It has a way of reaching in and grabbing us by the soul. Sure, we are moved by beautiful artwork, literature, theater, and dance. When it comes to artistic expression that communicates the depth of the human experience, there is nothing like it.