In the Media
I love Family Guy as much as the next person. Sadly, Seth McFarlane tends to make addiction seem humorous. In countless episodes, Peter Griffin – one of the main characters – is seen incredibly intoxicated. McFarlane uses this for laughs quite often. In several episodes, he is the designated driver while drunk. He, of course, is not the only one who has a drinking problem. In fact, Stewie – Peter’s child – has been drunk in a couple episodes as well. Brian – the pet dog – arguably drinks more than anyone else. More often than not, the drunken stupidity makes an almost mockery out of alcoholism. At no point does the show observe the toll anyone’s drinking takes on the family. Because Family Guy is a comedy show, this is understandable. However, the more often this is seen, the more that alcoholism seems less severe, which can prove problematic for those already in denial.
I love Family Guy as much as the next person. Sadly, Seth McFarlane tends to make addiction seem humorous. In countless episodes, Peter Griffin – one of the main characters – is seen incredibly intoxicated. McFarlane uses this for laughs quite often. In several episodes, he is the designated driver while drunk. He, of course, is not the only one who has a drinking problem. In fact, Stewie – Peter’s child – has been drunk in a couple episodes as well. Brian – the pet dog – arguably drinks more than anyone else. More often than not, the drunken stupidity makes an almost mockery out of alcoholism. At no point does the show observe the toll anyone’s drinking takes on the family. Because Family Guy is a comedy show, this is understandable. However, the more often this is seen, the more that alcoholism seems less severe, which can prove problematic for those already in denial.
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House revolves around Dr. Gregory House who slowly acquires an addiction to painkillers throughout the show’s history. While House takes a more serious approach to its character’s addiction, the writers try to incorporate some humor, such as when House secretly gives his coworker drugs. The show does portray the extreme concern his friends feel. It begins to rip the team apart and destroy friendships. House’s addiction takes a toll on everyone around him.
Many people have died from overdose or extensive use as three of Macklemore’s friends did. Multiple celebrities’ deaths are a result of alcohol or drug abuse. Among the most notable are Jimi Hendrix (age 27), Heath Ledger (28), Janis Joplin (27), River Phoenix (23), Sid Vicious (21), Amy Winehouse (27), and Hank Williams (29) (Puente 2012). Their age is important. All of these celebrities are in their 20s with a lot of potential to do great things. Addiction can happen to anyone. As Kevin Hill, an addictions psychiatrist in charge of drug abuse treatment at Harvard, notes in an interview “addiction does not discriminate” (Puente 2012). However, because these celebrities are in the limelight, these deaths remind society of the consequences of use.
Many people have died from overdose or extensive use as three of Macklemore’s friends did. Multiple celebrities’ deaths are a result of alcohol or drug abuse. Among the most notable are Jimi Hendrix (age 27), Heath Ledger (28), Janis Joplin (27), River Phoenix (23), Sid Vicious (21), Amy Winehouse (27), and Hank Williams (29) (Puente 2012). Their age is important. All of these celebrities are in their 20s with a lot of potential to do great things. Addiction can happen to anyone. As Kevin Hill, an addictions psychiatrist in charge of drug abuse treatment at Harvard, notes in an interview “addiction does not discriminate” (Puente 2012). However, because these celebrities are in the limelight, these deaths remind society of the consequences of use.
Macklemore's Life
Better known by his stage name Macklemore, Ben Haggerty emerged in 2012 with his popular hit “Thrift Shop.” Considered practically a joke rapper at that point, his release of “Same Love” showcased a side of him that was more focused on social issues. In most songs, he writes about his own life and his own struggles, especially with alcohol and drugs. In his song “Otherside,” he gives insight into the feeling of addiction and the effects it has on a person. Moreover, it tells of why a person turns to substances. He raps “he loved that feelin' / Purple rain coated in the throat / Just so healin' / Medicine alleviate the sickness / Liquid, a fix, and it comes with a cost.” After asking multiple patients at Brentwood, there was a similar feeling when they first began their use. Many simply wanted a way out of their issues and turned to alcohol and other substances to avoid them. They soon realized, though, that there was a cost to this substance. Sometimes, it meant a financial cost while other patients had lost their houses, families, and jobs.
This song and its lyrics examine an important quality that most people face when first confronting addiction: “didn’t even think he had a problem.” A lot of addicts’ first stage is denial. Once acknowledging the issue, however, they are able to seek help for it. These issues come in various forms and have a great effect on those who are around the addict. In another part of the song, he discusses the consequences of the addiction:
Syrup, percocet, hit an eighth a day will leave you broke, depressed, and emotionally vacant
…
I've seen my people's dreams die
I've seen what they can be denied
And “weed’s not a drug”, that's denial
Groundhog Day, life repeat each time
I've seen Oxycontin take three lives
I grew up with them, we used to chief dimes
I've seen cocaine bring out the demons inside
Cheatin' and lyin'
Friendship cease, no peace in the mind
Macklemore raps “Only motivation for what the dealer's supplying.” In an article in New York Times, Janet T. Mills, the attorney general in Maine, reports “we’re seeing people desperately and aggressively trying to get their hands on these pills… Home invasions, robberies, assaults, homicides, thefts – all kinds of crimes are being linked to prescription drugs” (Goodnough 2010). Having lived with that addiction, Macklemore agrees with this idea that addicts will do whatever – “Stealin' and takin' anything to fix the pieces inside” – to fulfill the addiction, to obtain the ‘buzz.’ Macklemore is a recovering addict and makes it clear that there is an epidemic. Almost as a warning, he says, “we sell our dreams and our potential / To escape, through that buzz.” Arguably, he is telling listeners not to do, that they will not get anywhere in life by turning to drugs. He knows the consequences.
Better known by his stage name Macklemore, Ben Haggerty emerged in 2012 with his popular hit “Thrift Shop.” Considered practically a joke rapper at that point, his release of “Same Love” showcased a side of him that was more focused on social issues. In most songs, he writes about his own life and his own struggles, especially with alcohol and drugs. In his song “Otherside,” he gives insight into the feeling of addiction and the effects it has on a person. Moreover, it tells of why a person turns to substances. He raps “he loved that feelin' / Purple rain coated in the throat / Just so healin' / Medicine alleviate the sickness / Liquid, a fix, and it comes with a cost.” After asking multiple patients at Brentwood, there was a similar feeling when they first began their use. Many simply wanted a way out of their issues and turned to alcohol and other substances to avoid them. They soon realized, though, that there was a cost to this substance. Sometimes, it meant a financial cost while other patients had lost their houses, families, and jobs.
This song and its lyrics examine an important quality that most people face when first confronting addiction: “didn’t even think he had a problem.” A lot of addicts’ first stage is denial. Once acknowledging the issue, however, they are able to seek help for it. These issues come in various forms and have a great effect on those who are around the addict. In another part of the song, he discusses the consequences of the addiction:
Syrup, percocet, hit an eighth a day will leave you broke, depressed, and emotionally vacant
…
I've seen my people's dreams die
I've seen what they can be denied
And “weed’s not a drug”, that's denial
Groundhog Day, life repeat each time
I've seen Oxycontin take three lives
I grew up with them, we used to chief dimes
I've seen cocaine bring out the demons inside
Cheatin' and lyin'
Friendship cease, no peace in the mind
Macklemore raps “Only motivation for what the dealer's supplying.” In an article in New York Times, Janet T. Mills, the attorney general in Maine, reports “we’re seeing people desperately and aggressively trying to get their hands on these pills… Home invasions, robberies, assaults, homicides, thefts – all kinds of crimes are being linked to prescription drugs” (Goodnough 2010). Having lived with that addiction, Macklemore agrees with this idea that addicts will do whatever – “Stealin' and takin' anything to fix the pieces inside” – to fulfill the addiction, to obtain the ‘buzz.’ Macklemore is a recovering addict and makes it clear that there is an epidemic. Almost as a warning, he says, “we sell our dreams and our potential / To escape, through that buzz.” Arguably, he is telling listeners not to do, that they will not get anywhere in life by turning to drugs. He knows the consequences.
More
often than not, those suffering from addiction are frowned upon. While
addiction may lead to a person’s death, it is not something that should be
shunned. This leads to a great deal of denial on the addict’s part. Macklemore
examines this issue as well in his song “Neon Cathedral”:
Underneath this fragile frame,
Lives a battle between pride and shame
But I’ve misplaced that sense of pride
These lines highlight the idea that he is ashamed of his addiction because of the negative stigmas of addiction. However, he knows that getting help means he would have to swallow his pride and admit his problem. An addict quite often feels this pull between wanting to deal with their problem on their own (“I can do it by myself; I’ll just stop using”) and admitting that they need help. Erin Osborn, a therapist at Brentwood, noted that one of the stages of addiction is the idea that you can do it alone. While some may be able to overcome the addiction, others may not and may need to ask for help. Macklemore continues on to rap:
If you’re judging, I don’t want
I got sins that scald like my throat when I hit the bottle
And I’m sinking and that’s why I keep on drinking
I need a refill, far more than once every weekend
This verse is incredibly interesting. He wants to essentially numb the pain of knowing he has a problem so he drinks more. It is a vicious circle. The judgment from those around him only brings him down more and he strives to find a way to get out of that feeling. There is a massive stigma to admitting you are an addict. Unfortunately, some interpret asking for help and being addicted as a sign of virtually failing at life. Macklemore has written his life into his music. With this, he hopes to help those who face the struggles that he does. Fortunately, this also gives those who have never been in his position a clear picture of what it feels like, why they do it, and ways to work through it.
Underneath this fragile frame,
Lives a battle between pride and shame
But I’ve misplaced that sense of pride
These lines highlight the idea that he is ashamed of his addiction because of the negative stigmas of addiction. However, he knows that getting help means he would have to swallow his pride and admit his problem. An addict quite often feels this pull between wanting to deal with their problem on their own (“I can do it by myself; I’ll just stop using”) and admitting that they need help. Erin Osborn, a therapist at Brentwood, noted that one of the stages of addiction is the idea that you can do it alone. While some may be able to overcome the addiction, others may not and may need to ask for help. Macklemore continues on to rap:
If you’re judging, I don’t want
I got sins that scald like my throat when I hit the bottle
And I’m sinking and that’s why I keep on drinking
I need a refill, far more than once every weekend
This verse is incredibly interesting. He wants to essentially numb the pain of knowing he has a problem so he drinks more. It is a vicious circle. The judgment from those around him only brings him down more and he strives to find a way to get out of that feeling. There is a massive stigma to admitting you are an addict. Unfortunately, some interpret asking for help and being addicted as a sign of virtually failing at life. Macklemore has written his life into his music. With this, he hopes to help those who face the struggles that he does. Fortunately, this also gives those who have never been in his position a clear picture of what it feels like, why they do it, and ways to work through it.
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