Does Fame Breed Drug Addiction? — The Lexington Line

Jimi Hendrix. Jim Morrison. Amy Winehouse. Whitney Houston. Prince. Mac Miller. Lil Peep. I’m sure we all know or have heard of at least a few of these artists; sadly, each of their cause of death was the same—drug overdose. Drug usage has repeatedly been a prevalent catalyst of presumed creativity and escape among artists in the music industry. However, many are left wondering why. Is it because of the fame, money, and accessibility? Is it because they are trying to suppress and numb the stresses that come along with the tattoo of the limelight?

Source: Jimmy Turrell for Rolling Stone — Source: Jimmy Turrell for *Rolling Stone*

In today’s music industry, drugs can often help brand an artist or performer. The glorification of drugs such as codeine, Xanax, Percocet, ecstasy, molly, marijuana, and cocaine are part of the issue, but do lyrics implying drug use give warning to the possible fate of an artist? In the past three years, the music industry has lost major icons who were popular worldwide. Mac Miller, Lil Peep, and Juice Wrld are among those who lost their life to the devastating effects of drug addiction and/or heavy use.

So, what do psychologists and health professionals have to say about drug use plaguing those in the music industry? According to The American Addiction Center, “It’s arguable that affluent celebrities have greater access to some kinds of addictive substances, and there is an undeniable connection between accessibility and addiction.” Additionally, addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky believes that success can make celebrities feel invincible. “Humility is one of the first principles of drug use recovery,” he stated. “And someone who doesn’t have such a humble position in life—it’s very difficult for them not to expect special treatment.”

When it comes to the music industry, drug use is continuously illustrated through lyrics. An example of this can be seen with Future. Future is an American rapper, singer, record producer, and songwriter. Throughout his career, lean and codeine have been at the center of his songs and even several of his albums.

In a Pop Matters article, it discloses that while Juice Wrld was working on his album Wrld on Drugs, he told Future that his music led him to try lean as a young boy. Juice Wrld unfortunately then died of an accidental overdose at only 21 years old last December. In January 2020, Future explained to Rolling Stone how Juice Wrld’s comment about lean affected him.

“When he told me that, I was like ‘Oh shit. … How many other sixth-graders did I influence to drink lean?” he stated. “Really f***** me up for a minute. It’s all I could think about. Like, ‘Damn, what have I done? What have I done to other people? What did I do to myself?’”

Although Future admits that he was drinking lean to help with his stress and anxiety, he was unaware how enticing he was making the drug sound to his following. He recently told Genius in an interview that he has quit lean for good.

Artists throughout the past few years have started to become more open with the public about their sobriety after recovering from drug addiction. Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato are two artists who have openly discussed their past drug addictions.

With Bieber stating in his new YouTube series, “Seasons,” that his staff had to come check his pulse each night, as well as Lovato admitting she did a line of cocaine every 30 minutes, the music industry is beginning to celebrate the openness of an artist’s struggle with addiction and their road to recovery. This is expanding the conversation about the reality of drug addiction, and when these idolized celebrities speak out, it can influence others to be more aware and more prone to seek help if needed.