The most common explanation of drug addiction is, that if you take too long a certain amount of a drug, you will become an addict. It’s the substance that makes you addicted.
But it doesn’t explain why so many famous musicians turn to drugs and have to go to rehab again and again. It doesn’t explain why too many talented musicians die of an overdose, like most of the musicians in the ‘club of 27’ (a.o. Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse).
Research with mice has shown that isolated mice in a cage preferred drugged water over clean water. They keep taking the drugged water until they die of an overdose. This is in support of the common explanation mentioned above.
Other research, though, has shown that when you put mice on a mouse-friendly playground with other mice, all of the mice preferred clean water over drugged water. No mouse died of an overdose.
The short animation above shows you more about how drug addiction works
In fact, it’s not the substance that makes you an addict, it’s social isolation, boredom and feeling trapped. Many musicians face social isolation when becoming successful and famous. The lack of privacy is an important factor. On the top it’s also very difficult to know whom to trust.
If the music business wants to prevent mental health issues of musicians, it could pay more attention on social skills of musicians. For musicians it’s not only important to know how to network, but also how to make friends.