In my teens & twenties, I desperately wanted to be the new Hunter Thompson. I’m 50 now & those grand adventures created addictions partially to mostly responsible for three heart attacks, two cardiac bypasses (one was a quintuple) & a wife who hasn’t lived with me for three years. The beauty of Deacon Blue turned into Behind The Music FAST. I’m 28 days clean today & tomorrow will be 29. I’m no longer numb & the pain of childhood abuse is at the surface. Life sucks a lot of days, but I’ll take this over going back to the void. Thank you for your words & I look forward to reading more of them.
Wow thanks Brandon! Congrats on the 28 days. Hardest part of all and you’ve been through it. Stay the course. I’m happy to chat anytime if you ever need or want to. 🙏
Yep. Coming of age in the music business, alcohol, drugs and bad behavior were overly romanticized. It took me years to be able to freely choose to have a drink or not. To have a toke or not. Before that it was automatic. Just something “all the cool kids do.”
I heard myself and my colleagues telling stories about partying and how fucked up we got, and one day I thought “Do we actually think we sound cool?” It’s all tied to the romance of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll and it’s bullshit.
Well written as always sir... and Deacon Blues is a classic!
They make it look so good on TV, I used to imagine all of my friends coming home (every day??!!) and pouring a glass of wine. I was sure that's what they were doing so I might as well do that too. Oh, I'll watch a program or read a book, look what they are doing, I might as well do that too. We are marketed to and brainwashed. Thanks for shedding a little more light on this Dee.
Thank you for the mention, Dee! I love this topic.
When I used to offer group acupuncture with guided meditations in addiction treatment centres, I incorporated Charles Bukowski's poem "Go All the Way," but invited those present to consider the meaning of the poem if Bukowski were talking about getting sober. There were often a few ah-ha moments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL2T0XRzWUI
Yes, Bukowski definitely went all the way. Amazing how many different ways that can be interpreted. I heard a rumor once (unsubstantiated) that this was the motivation for Nike’s “just do it” campaign.
Thank you as always Dana for reading and for your heartfelt commentary. You are a leader in this Substack sobriety community. 🙏
To say that I romanticised my addiction at points during my ‘drinking career’, with films, music and TV providing extra motivation, excuses and different identities to become as I drank, would be extremely accurate.
Dee, I could compliment your post in many deserved ways. But more important to me is that you are still here. As someone with my own struggles, and by my own “by the grace of God,” I know what a blessing that is. You have so much to share and the courage to do it. I’m very honored to be able to learn from your wisdom.
I feel compelled to share this post I wrote about Deacon Blues about a year ago. in the midst of my own DB obsession. I was focused on "winners and losers."
Thank you Melonie. Virtual hug back at you ☺️
In my teens & twenties, I desperately wanted to be the new Hunter Thompson. I’m 50 now & those grand adventures created addictions partially to mostly responsible for three heart attacks, two cardiac bypasses (one was a quintuple) & a wife who hasn’t lived with me for three years. The beauty of Deacon Blue turned into Behind The Music FAST. I’m 28 days clean today & tomorrow will be 29. I’m no longer numb & the pain of childhood abuse is at the surface. Life sucks a lot of days, but I’ll take this over going back to the void. Thank you for your words & I look forward to reading more of them.
Wow thanks Brandon! Congrats on the 28 days. Hardest part of all and you’ve been through it. Stay the course. I’m happy to chat anytime if you ever need or want to. 🙏
Thanks for tuning in.
Yep. Coming of age in the music business, alcohol, drugs and bad behavior were overly romanticized. It took me years to be able to freely choose to have a drink or not. To have a toke or not. Before that it was automatic. Just something “all the cool kids do.”
I heard myself and my colleagues telling stories about partying and how fucked up we got, and one day I thought “Do we actually think we sound cool?” It’s all tied to the romance of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll and it’s bullshit.
Well written as always sir... and Deacon Blues is a classic!
This. Is. So. True.
They make it look so good on TV, I used to imagine all of my friends coming home (every day??!!) and pouring a glass of wine. I was sure that's what they were doing so I might as well do that too. Oh, I'll watch a program or read a book, look what they are doing, I might as well do that too. We are marketed to and brainwashed. Thanks for shedding a little more light on this Dee.
Sexy! Romantic! Just a glass to take the edge off. Wake up the next morning and find two empty bottles on the kitchen counter. Oops.
Thank you for the mention, Dee! I love this topic.
When I used to offer group acupuncture with guided meditations in addiction treatment centres, I incorporated Charles Bukowski's poem "Go All the Way," but invited those present to consider the meaning of the poem if Bukowski were talking about getting sober. There were often a few ah-ha moments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL2T0XRzWUI
Yes, Bukowski definitely went all the way. Amazing how many different ways that can be interpreted. I heard a rumor once (unsubstantiated) that this was the motivation for Nike’s “just do it” campaign.
Thank you as always Dana for reading and for your heartfelt commentary. You are a leader in this Substack sobriety community. 🙏
Excellent article, Dee.
To say that I romanticised my addiction at points during my ‘drinking career’, with films, music and TV providing extra motivation, excuses and different identities to become as I drank, would be extremely accurate.
Glad it resonated Roscoe. Thanks for reading 🙏
You succinctly captured the dichotomy of romantic drinking and reality . . . Again. Thank you!
Thanks Hilda ❤️
17 years in August for me. Thanks for the relatable tale, Dee. Love that song too.
Cool 😎 thanks for sharing that Jonathan!
Dee, I could compliment your post in many deserved ways. But more important to me is that you are still here. As someone with my own struggles, and by my own “by the grace of God,” I know what a blessing that is. You have so much to share and the courage to do it. I’m very honored to be able to learn from your wisdom.
We must give freely what we have been taught. 🙏
Ben your words are such a great way to start my day. Thank you so much.
Wonderful post, Dee.
I feel compelled to share this post I wrote about Deacon Blues about a year ago. in the midst of my own DB obsession. I was focused on "winners and losers."
https://robertsdavidn.substack.com/p/steely-dans-deacon-blues-winners
Thanks David! Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you Melonie! Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I have touched people as you can see by the comments, and that’s enough for me. 🙏