Conquering Addiction: Music, Memories and Recovery
Other attachments formed during addiction
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In the early days of getting sober, I found myself going back to some old tunes I used to listen to during my drinking days. It's funny how music, once a source of joy, can turn into a trigger that messes with your head.
See, for a while in my early sobriety, certain songs could send me into a tailspin of memories and cravings. Whether it was a song that made me miss the party scene or one that brought back sad moments linked to my drinking days, music had a way of getting under my skin.
I've heard a lot of people in recovery talk about this, especially in the early stages. They'd share how certain songs, events, or even dates were like time bombs, exploding with memories of their past drinking escapades.
Take the track "I Miss You" by Blink-182, for example - it had me grappling with the loss of my Mum. The lyrics weren't the issue, but the association with the time I spent listening to it while drowning my sorrows made it a trigger.
These connections are strong, especially when they've been building up over the years.
I had a playlist for every mood - one for when I was feeling down and needed to drown my sorrows and another for when I was ready to get wild and rowdy.
Not just music
And it's not just music; movies, TV shows, specific dates, or events can have the same effect.
Picture this: watching a football (soccer) match with your mates, cracking open a cold one - sounds harmless, right? But if you associate it with the buzz of alcohol, the camaraderie, it can mess with your decision to stay sober.
The thing is, we often create these connections ourselves. It's like saying wine with dinner is a package deal. In reality, they have nothing to do with each other. You chose to pair them up, just like I did with that Blink-182 song.
Did you form any attachments to a specific song, event, movie, TV show or date?
To break these links, you've got to see them as separate things. It's tough, especially in the early recovery days, but a song is just a song, and an event is just an event.
You might decide to do what I did - put certain songs, events, or whatever on hold until you feel confident they won't trigger you. But keep in mind, this might not be everyone's cup of tea.
The real game-changer for me was kicking the drinking habit to the curb and dealing with the reasons behind why I leaned on it so much. Once you tackle the root cause, these connections lose their power.
By stripping away their symbolic weight, you can enjoy songs, events, or whatever without fearing a trip back to the dark days. They won't drag you down because they won't mean the same to you anymore.
Now, about those times you've linked to sadness or gloominess - you might still want to steer clear. But hey, it's your call. Just make sure you're committed to your recovery and don't put yourself in a spot where you might slip up.
Triggers are real, so be aware of them and either avoid or tackle them head-on.
And if you need someone to chat with about this or anything related to your recovery, don't hesitate to reach out.
You can hit me up or find a meeting or get some therapy - just take action and get the help you need. Open up to someone; it can make a world of difference.
Before you go, here are some useful articles for you to check out:
Thank you for reading: “Conquering Addiction: Music, Memories and Recovery.”
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Check out the last post: “Navigating Alcoholic Dreams and Their Impact on Recovery.”
Take care of yourself and your family,
Roscoe | @AFFathers
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When dealing with depression, I always put some music on. I've been coping with depression for many years. I feel nostalgic every time I hear a song I used to listen to a long time ago. And every time I hear a song that I heard in good times, I almost cry.
Good luck, man!