When the Music Fades: Addiction, Recovery, and Empathy
by Gwendolyn Murray | Thursday, Mar 05, 2026This was one of the rare mornings when my Dad drove me to school. Usually he goes to work so early that I barely get to see him. My sister and I loaded our backpacks into the massive white mini-van, arguing over who got to sit in the front. When we finally settled down, we noticed my Dad reaching for the iconic bright red Godsmack CD. That was my introduction to my favorite music genre, “Dad Rock”. As I listened to it more and more, I got interested in going to see some of my now favorite bands in concert. To my dismay, it would never be possible to see Limp Bizkit, Nirvana, and many others. It was a common theme to hear of rock stars battling addiction, and sadly just as common to hear of them losing those battles. Some bands break apart amidst the turmoil, while others try to stick together despite the loss of a friend. While we often hear about celebrities' struggles with addiction, normal people, people close to you, may be struggling too. I grew curious to know what the nature of their struggle was, and why battles with addiction are so difficult to win.
What image pops into your mind when you hear or read the word drug? You might visualize a little orange bottle, small pill capsules, or perhaps even a syringe. What may not come to your mind is an evening glass of wine, the occasional cigarette, or your morning cup of coffee. A drug is defined as any substance other than food that affects our bodies or minds (1). Drugs don't have to be prescribed, and they aren't necessarily illegal. People can misuse and become dependent on their energy drinks the same way people become reliant on opioids. Temporary changes that a drug produces in behavior, emotion, or thought is referred to as substance intoxication (1). People who use substances regularly may face more long-term consequences, referred to as a substance use disorder (SUD) (1). People with an SUD may become tolerant of the substance, needing more and more each time they use it, in order to feel the desired effects. After not using the substance, they may face the effects of withdrawal, dealing with cravings and needing more of the substance to simply function normally. These effects occur with any substance, you can go from needing only one cup of coffee for a pick-me-up to needing two, three, or four to feel the same energy boost, and you might feel headaches when not having your usual amount. As you can imagine, this can have drastic impacts on their social and academic/work life, as well as their personal functioning and views of themselves.
So why don't we think of the substances we rely on every day when hearing the word “drug”? You might not realize it, but the language that you use colors your perspective. In discussing mental health disorders, the language we use can impact whether we empathize or villainize those who are struggling. Historically, individuals with mental illness have been “stigmatized”, or labeled with terminology that marks them as less than others (5).
When discussing SUDs, people may use terms like “abuser", and "dirty/clean”, such terminology mischaracterizes the disorder. Aside from substance use, words like “abuse” are also used to describe domestic and child abuse. This not only makes the word carry a deep emotional meaning, but also implies an element of “choice” in the individual's behavior. Similarly, the words “dirty” and “clean” create vivid and negatively charged images. Stigma is reduced when people believe that the person did not cause their problem (5). In order to reduce stigma, we must understand that SUD is a disease of the brain and beyond a simple matter of “self control” or “willpower”; we must adapt our language to reflect this (5).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies SUDs as heritable psychiatric disorders that are influenced by both environmental and genetic factors (3). Studies have been conducted with twins and families, showing that if someone related to you struggles with an SUD you may be more likely to acquire one too (3). SUDs have different estimates of heritability, but taking all SUDs into account, genetics have a 50% impact on whether someone develops the disorder (3). Nicotine and cocaine specific SUDs can have a heritability factor as high as 70% and 80% respectively. Studies have been able to identify specific genes that play a role in addiction, and correlate genetics with different substance use traits. In one study, researchers found specific genes related to traits of alcohol use disorder. One such trait is the number of alcoholic drinks consumed in a week, while some identified genes include those involved in alcohol metabolism and dopamine systems (3). These genetic studies help show that individuals with SUDs can't just “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” Individuals with an SUD may think “If it's in my genes to be addicted, what hope do I have?” Surprisingly, the FDA approves medications for the treatment of certain symptoms in addiction, such as “sick feelings, tension, aches and pains, runny eyes, and sleep problems”(4). These medications are prescribed when individuals have already committed to ceasing use. While it may seem counterintuitive to treat substance use disorders with more substances, these medications often work to slowly return the individual to their normal function in a healthy manner. Those who take medication for their SUD “are not “addicted” to it any more than a person with diabetes is addicted to insulin” (5). Along with medication, these individuals will also typically engage in cognitive-behavioral therapy, which targets the behavioral components of addiction and can work to reduce social isolation.
My introduction to "Dad Rock" was more than just a gateway into a favorite music genre; it opened my eyes to the struggles faced by millions every day. Those who face addiction never choose to become addicted. They are not “abusers”, they are “users” (2). They are not “dirty” or “clean”, they are “using” or “recovering” (2). They are not “addicts”, they are people struggling with a substance use disorder (2). By recognizing SUDs as a result of both genetic and environmental factors, we can shift away from judgmental terms and embrace a more supportive perspective. Recovery is a challenging process that demands empathy, and with a greater understanding, we can offer better support to those striving to reclaim their lives.
To learn more about addiction terminology, see this article from the NIH about terms to use and avoid:
(1) Abnormal Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2024, from
https://platform.virdocs.com/read/1782471/83/#/4/2[ron_9781319370602_Ifar3WcjOo]/
8[ron_9781319370602_R28Q7rEisa]/2[ron_9781319370602_V6Ndw70yoW]/12[ron_9
781319370602_eC2bk9Uk9H]/2[ron_9781319370602_wHvHDGvgcE],/1:435,/1:435
(2) Abuse, N. I. on D. (2021, November 29). Words Matter—Terms to Use and Avoid When
Talking About Addiction | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/health-professions-educatio
n/words-matter-terms-to-use-avoid-when-talking-about-addiction
(3) Deak, J. D., & Johnson, E. C. (n.d.). Genetics of substance use disorders: A review.
Psychological Medicine, 51(13), 2189–2200.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291721000969
(4) Volkow, N. D. (2020). Personalizing the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders.
American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(2), 113–116.
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19121284