I admit that I joined the recovery movement with one reservation. I was told that I had to change people, places, and things. One of the things I was told that I would have to let go of was Rock music. Those who were honestly trying to look out for my best interests hit a brick wall with me there. Rock was a very large part of my life. I was raised on Jimi Hendrix, Ted Nugent, Grand Funk Railroad, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Winter, and Robin Trower. Although it was true that I used to listen to Rock music when I used, I also drove cars when I used. Did I have to stop that, too?
I honestly did not believe that Rock music was a trigger for me. I decided to try to recover and still listen to my Rock. I made a commitment that if I relapsed, I’d try it “their way” if I was fortunate enough to get a second chance at recovery. My love of music was that important to me. Somehow, I survived.
Just last night (7/29/97), my oldest daughter and I went to see Aerosmith together. We had a great time. I told her during the concert, “You know, I used to go to concerts like this one and see those same five guys jam 25 years ago!”. She replied, “You sure are old!”.
My first concert during recovery was at the Boathouse in Norfolk. I had about nine months clean. George Thorogood was playing, and I had always wanted to see him play that slide guitar. I prayed to God that He’d hold me. They drink at the Boathouse. I swallowed some Antibuse that I had stashed and went. At the door, I met a recovering friend who had about four years clean. We hung out together. We had a great time. We stayed clean.
I believe that Rock music CAN be a trigger for some recovering people. If that’s the case, they should quit listening to it. But it turned out that it wasn’t a trigger for me, and I still love it. Conversely, fishing probably wouldn’t prove to be a trigger for most people, but it did affect me profoundly. I found it impossible to fish without drinking, so I had to let it go and give it up. But not my jams...
Although I never gave up my Rock, I found that the more clean time I built up, the more I noticed my tastes in music changing. I had always had a sincere respect for the Blues, but suddenly it started sounding “mighty good”. I started collecting the music of Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Albert King, and others who weren‘t afraid to play their guitars.
Then, I discovered Christian Rock. But that’s a “whole nother story”...
Today, my life is better than it ever has been. I’m living in the best period of my life today, thanks to my finally becoming willing to work my 12 Step Progams (and, yes, I work several of them). I believe that as long as I work my program, my personal tastes in music will never sidetrack my recovery.
To find out more about Christian Rock , click here
To find out more about individual Christian Rock Bands, click here.
To return to my home page, click here.
To return to the "Home Grown" links, click here.