Sober Music is Recovery Music! It’s about carrying the Message of Healing, Hope and Recovery through Music!
Throughout the history of civilization music has been one of the most inspirational forms of therapy and medicine to treat ourselves during times of desperation, injury, pain and loss. It is also used to celebrate special occasions, events, success and well-being. It has been used as a galvanizing force to inspire and move individuals and groups — into action!
For many of us who have been involved with music as an artist — or in the distribution of music — we seemed to be ultra-sensitive and creative types. Very in-touch with what we feel and what we think. Often, for some of us, our journey into music was a search for our own individual means of expression. Expressing what we felt. The good and the bad. You see, for many of us — there has seldom been a time that we were indifferent! We believed in things. We felt things. And, we had an inner-need to express.
Being emotional people — we often interpreted what was going on with us and in our world — through our feelings. If things did or didn’t feel right — we would turn to our music. And, when the music wasn’t getting the job done — we began to turn to activities and substances outside ourselves.
Some of us made the discovery that by mixing our bodies with a substance — it became as if we were on a magic carpet ride on the clouds of enhanced creativity and emotional expression! Sometimes, it was a good thing! It lifted us out of depression and misery. It lifted us out of our personal pain. It made us feel confident — and we were able to face our fears of personal inadequacies. I was one of the some. One of the many.
I began to rely and depend upon the substances. Whether it be alcohol, drugs, pills, cocaine or a mix of all of it! (And, then some!) I tried it first out of curiosity. I watched others doing it. And, they appeared to succeed! Many of them were the same Music Hero’s that I had idolized my entire life!
I used it for pleasure. And, then I used it as a tool. Kind of like an extra instrument in a secret closet . And, then one day, I discovered — that it had now begun to use me! I found myself in places where I couldn’t live with it — and I couldn’t go on living without it.
I often landed in pitiful and incomprehensible situations that became disastrous for me and my dreams and goals of pursuing my musical career. And, just when it was over for me — I got a reprieve. I discovered a solution for my problem.
Many of us found a Common Solution in 12 Step Groups. And, we learned that part of the solution — required us — to carry the message of the Solution to others — that needed the message just as badly as we had needed it! For some of us — it required more. It required us to become active in trying to help others who were suffering as we had been suffering — and this became the key to our own recovery and healing.
By the time that I found the solution — my music career was gone. History. And, I was fearful of trying it again. I was afraid that if I tried playing music again — it would lead me right back to the way of life that I was trying to avoid! I toyed around with the idea and bought some new instruments and recording equipment — but the fear had me paralyzed. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to maintain my sobriety and play music, too. So, I pretty much gave up any hopes of returning to the music scene.
The way I see it now is: I gave up. For me, at the time, it was probably the right thing to do. Now, looking back — had I been able to connect with a fellow alcoholic or drug addict in a personal way — one that was in recovery themselves, and had returned to music — my story may have ended differently.
So, today — the way I can change it — is to try to help someone else, who’s been down the same path that I have been. And, this is entirely what this website: SoberMusic.com is all about. A tool. A venue. A place and a way — to try to be helpful to others.
In the formative years of my life — music, and music legends & my music heroes were instrumental in helping me to deal with life on life’s terms — while I was desperately attempting to form myself!
I do believe with this website — I may not be able to do much — but with you and your help, and your efforts to help others — it will not only help me and you but it will help others that are out that need our help.
I can’t — but I know that WE CAN!
Dallas B.
Note: While we work to recreat this resource — if you are seeking help now — for a drinking problem or alcohol addiction please visit the Step12.com website!
