Songs About Addiction

Notable Songs About Addiction

While there are countless songs about addiction and substance abuse, some notable examples include the following songs by popular artists.

Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers

In Under The Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis details some of the darkest moments in his life, recounting his struggles with loneliness and heroin use: “It’s hard to believe that I’m all alone… Under the bridge downtown, I gave my life away.“

However, he manages to regain his sobriety and finds a new purpose through his band, the “place” he loves.

Hurt – Nine Inch Nails & Johnny Cash

Hurt was written by Trent Reznor and originally performed as a grungy ballad by his band, Nine Inch Nails. But the song gained new life as a country song in 2002 when Johnny Cash covered it.

Hurt deals with themes of addiction and self-harm, with the narrator lamenting the pain of substance abuse and his past regrets. Yet the song also offers flickers of hope, especially in the ending verse: “If I could start again… I would find a way.”

Rehab – Amy Winehouse

Rehab is an honest look into Amy Winehouse’s experience with alcoholism and substance abuse. The lyrics describe her resistance to seeking treatment at inpatient rehab despite her father’s plea.

She insists that she “ain’t got seventy days” and worries about “losing [her] baby.” She also touches on the relationship between her addiction and loneliness, saying, “I don’t ever wanna drink again… I just need a friend.” Winehouse died from alcohol toxicity at age 27 in 2011.

The “A” Team – Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran wrote this soft folk ballad after volunteering at a homeless shelter when he was 18.  The song tells the story of a woman addicted to crack cocaine, which is classified as a “class A” drug in the United Kingdom.

While the guitar instrumentals initially sound lighthearted, the lyrics are darker and describe the woman’s slowly declining health, her face “crumbling like pastries.” The song provides a harrowing look at the reality of substance abuse and a rare non-glamorized portrayal of cocaine in pop music.

Breaking The Habit – Linkin Park

While Linkin Park founder Mike Shonda wrote Breaking The Habit, the lyrics resonated so deeply with vocalist Chester Bennington that he initially struggled to record it.

The narrator begins by ruminating over his past mistakes, “memories consume like opening the wound.” But he recognizes the anguish that addiction brings to himself and his loved ones, so he resolves to “[break] the habit tonight.”

Sober – Pink

In her rock ballad Sober, Pink sings about her desire to break free from addiction and establish healthier habits. She strives to put her “party girl” lifestyle in the past.

But she’s also honest about the reality of cravings, describing how “the night is calling… it whispers to me softly, ‘come and play.’” Still, she persists in her recovery journey and relies on her partner, wondering how she feels “so good sober. “

I Had Some Help – Post Malone & Morgan Wallen

Addiction can cause some couples to form unhealthy dependencies on each other, called “codependence.” In their country collaboration, I Had Some Help, Post Malone and Morgan Wallen explore themes of codependency related to alcoholism.

While the narrator acknowledges that he “ain’t an angel,” he reminds his partner of their role as an enabler: “Don’t act like you ain’t help me pull that bottle off the shelf.”

this is me trying – Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s track this is me trying is a fictional narrative told from three character perspectives, with the second verse from the perspective of a recovering addict.

The narrator describes how they “got wasted like all [their] potential.” But they stay on the road to recovery, even if others around them don’t recognize their efforts. Swift also touches on themes of addiction in other songs, like “Clean.”

Winning Streak – Jellyroll

Jellyroll doesn’t shy away from his personal relationship with substance abuse in his discography. But Winning Streak tells a story inspired by an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting.

The narrator has committed to regaining his sobriety, but alcohol withdrawals nearly cause a relapse. However, he gains new support from a fellow AA member, who shares: “Everybody here’s felt the same defeat. Nobody walks through these doors on a winnin’ streak.”

It reminds us of the power of social support and that asking for help isn’t a failure.

Starting Over – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

As many as 40 to 60% of recovering addicts relapse at some point in their journey. In Starting Over, Macklemore gets honest about an alcohol relapse: “Those three plus years I was so proud of, and I threw ‘em all away for two Styrofoam cups.”

While initially feeling like a failure, since others look up to him, he realizes he can use his experience to help others through their relapses. He says, “If I can be an example of getting sober, then I can be an example of starting over.”

Chandelier – Sia

Chandelier is a semi-autobiographical song about Sia’s personal experience with addiction.

Although Sia belts about “swinging from the chandelier,” the song is far from a party anthem.

Instead, the narrator uses alcoholism to numb her feelings, especially the shame she feels when the party is over: “Sun is up, I’m a mess. Gotta get up now, gotta run from this.”

Fast Car – Tracy Chapman & Luke Combs

The narrator of Chapman’s Fast Car isn’t an addict herself, but she shows signs of codependency with her addicted loved ones.

First, she describes dropping out of school to care for her alcoholic father. While she dreams that she and her love interest will escape the cycle, her partner ultimately continues it by staying “out drinking late at the bar.”

When Chapman released it in 1988, the song peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, a new generation discovered this earnest folk ballad when Luke Combs covered it in 2023.

Cold Turkey – John Lennon

John Lennon put his experience withdrawing from heroin into his song Cold Turkey. While it’s easy to miss the deeper meaning of the lyrics between the rock n’ roll backing track, Lennon captures the dark reality of heroin use. He recounts spending “thirty-six hours rolling in pain, praying to someone ‘free me again.’”

Heroin addicts can experience intense symptoms when they quit “cold turkey,” as Lennon did, which is why most experts recommend following an opioid tapering schedule for a safer heroin detox.

It’s Been A While – Staind

Addiction leads to a cycle of self-loathing, as Staind’s song It’s Been A While captures.

The narrator apologizes for the hurt and disappointments he’s caused others, yet he also struggles to extend kindness to himself, saying, “It’s been a while since I could say that I wasn’t addicted, and it’s been a while since I can say I love myself as well.”

It’s a reminder to extend kindness to yourself, no matter where you are in your recovery journey.

Amazing – Aerosmith

In Amazing, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler recounts the darker parts of the rock n’ roll lifestyle. The song begins, “I kept the right ones out and let the wrong ones in.”

Although the lyrics detail a dark journey through substance abuse and suicidal ideation, it also offers hope on the other side, reminding us that “you have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk” and “the light at the end of the tunnel may be you.”

Addiction Themes in Music

Artists may write about addiction for a variety of reasons, like the following.

• Personal experience. Writing and playing music can be a healthy outlet to express your feelings. Artists with a background of substance abuse may channel their pain into their art, like Pink, Jellyroll, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

• Raising awareness. Some artists may want to draw attention to societal issues, the dangers of drugs, or facts about addiction. Examples include Ed Sheeran writing The A Team to raise awareness for issues like homelessness and drug use or Mackelmore reminding us that it’s ok to start over after a relapse.

• Storytelling. The impacts of substance abuse can create harrowing fictional stories, like those found in Fast Car or this is me trying.

How Songs About Addiction Help People

For many people, a song about addiction can be more than just a catchy tune. It can resonate with their personal experience, offer solace, or spark awareness of the danger that comes from alcohol and drug abuse. That isn’t just anecdotal—it’s science!

One small 2024 study of 15 formerly incarcerated people found that music, similar to group support, could help listeners feel understood. Participants reported that certain songs could provide greater strength and hope or even relieve loneliness.

Potential Risks and Challenges

Of course, not every song about addiction is healing. Some music may glorify alcohol or substance abuse. Other songs may remind you of dark moments in your life—like songs that played at the bar or when you abused drugs.

The association might lead to cravings when you hear the song again, which can be triggering.

Additionally, everyone’s triggers are different. Some people may find that a song about addiction resonates too deeply and that it’s painful to listen to—like Chester Bennington when recording Breaking The Habit.

You know your boundaries and triggers better than anyone else, so use your best judgment when curating your playlists.

Find More Support For Addiction Recovery

Many songs about addiction can provide catharsis and powerful support during your healing journey. They can remind you that you aren’t alone and that there is hope and new beginnings in recovery.

If you need other support during your addiction journey, you can find treatment centers and counseling options with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Services Administration (SAMHSA’s) online treatment locator.

If you’d prefer to talk to someone, call their free helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Written by

Brooke Helton

Medical Content Writer

Brooke Helton is a freelance writer passionate about wellness topics, especially the relationship between physical and mental health. As a contributor to AddictionHelp.com, she’s proud to combine her writing and research skills to inform and empower people impacted by substance abuse.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
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Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.