This article discusses substance abuse which may activate challenging memories or discomfort. If you need further support, please reach out to the services at the base of the article. If you need urgent help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 44. All opinions are those of the author and guest and do not necessarily express the view of Music Victoria or Partners in Wellbeing.
As a mental health professional and someone with prior lived experience of my own challenges with alcohol, it’s unsurprising there’s a struggle in the community when it comes to addiction. Australia in general has a complex narrative regarding alcohol. Perplexing that alcohol is our nation’s most widely used social drug, whilst also being a depressant, slowing down the messages travelling between the brain and body from our very first sip. A Social Depressant. What a band name.
This blog is not intended to wank on about whether you should or shouldn’t experience alcohol or drugs, there’s certainly a huge amount of people who have a balanced relationship with substances. However, I am keen to further discover why, despite all the evidence plonked in front of us, our industry still immensely struggles with the challenge of addiction.
I drummed at my first live gig when I was sixteen years old at a 21st birthday in Auckland, New Zealand. Our bassist was a few years older and had been recording and playing for a few good years. “You seem way too stressed, drink this.” He thrust a bottle of bourbon into my hands before we jumped on stage, assuring me it would make for a better gig. In my case, it did not.
My technique was floppy and fumbly, my right leg wouldn’t work; we were understandably heckled by the irritated punters who wanted a polished version of “Bomb Track” by Rage Against the Machine.
Many musicians have some variation of this narrative as a young artist, and whilst these early formative experiences may seem harmless, you’ve got to stop and wonder how many jobs would not only tolerate drinking on site but encourage it – particularly in the formative stage of our careers.
Musician & Psychotherapist, Glen Benton. Pictured in his home studio.
[Image Description: Black and white image, in front of studio. Glen has mid-length brown hair].
G: I think there’s a tribal baseline element of substance use to change consciousness. I think in a way we tap into some very almost inter-dimensional, millennia old traditions when we create music and art for people to gather, enjoy and celebrate. I’ve enhanced my creative experience over the years experimenting with things, it can enhance art; but by the same token once you start to lose your freedom to that substance it becomes something of an issue. The art is driven by the substance use in that case, and that becomes a problem.
G: For me it was about setting the intention to do things differently. I also chose a bit of isolation, but a healthy form of isolation. Before or after a gig, I would prepare stuff, whether it was in the hotel or bus. I would prepare a movie to watch or make myself a meal to have right after the show…or read a book I was super into. Sometimes I’d even tee up a friend to make sure I wasn’t going to make decisions I’d regret after the gig.
G: Try to talk to a professional. Substance abuse situations could be like other crisis situations, they’re sometimes similar to a mental health breakdown. It is a particular phenomenon that, unless you have experienced it yourself, or have been trained to understand that experience specifically, then you may be unable to respond and support that person the way they need for their own best outcomes. Talk to a drug and alcohol support service, or if you trust your doctor – they can help you too. Speaking to someone who is trained in substance issues is a good way to go. It is a very individual and specific experience to go through for any person, so it’s important to seek support from the trained professionals.
Addiction can be broad in its root cause, the outlet could be prescription drugs, narcotics, food, or technology. Generally, we use these things as a way of coping with a situation, or to distract ourselves from something unresolved within us. The subconscious intention of addiction is designed as a protective mechanism, so there’s no need to self-direct shame or judgement.
If the symptoms are impacting your sense of self, it could be worth talking to someone. You don’t have to go it alone; check out the below state-based services that can offer a free confidential chat.
DirectLine (Victoria) 1800 888 236
Counselling Online (Turning Point)
SuicideLine Victoria 1300 651 251
Gambling Help Online
TouchBase LGBTQI
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline for Musicians 1800 959 500
Music Victoria, in conjunction with the Partners in Wellbeing program, has secured a Mental Health Clinician/Consultant, and that person is me – Bree ????
The pandemic has been tough, it's important we get the jump on our mental health as we return to a new world of normal.
This new service offers free and confidential mental health support for you, your families, and employees. Along with the one-on-one sessions, we can refer you to our free financial counselling and business advisory support services. If you’re keen to connect, I am available for a chat Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
If your issues are not urgent, and you’d like to have a chat with me directly, you can self-refer by emailing bree@musicvictoria.com.au or by making a booking here. Don’t forget, family and staff members are also most welcome to connect in with me for support.
Contact Details
Email: bree@musicvictoria.com.au
Phone: 0409 299 292
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Outside of Business Hours
Outside of business hours, you can connect with the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline on 1300 375 330.
Within our homes, hunched over a mug of Tetley, attempting to maintain some sense of social connection via slack or teams. We’re the luckier ones. For others, there’s been complete income loss and no ability to work remotely. We have yearned for our societal freedom and regular human connection since this virus kicked off almost two years ago. As our resilience eroded, the community's overall mood looked something like this:
In truth, many of us have on-boarded into our roles without ever enjoying the company of our colleagues in three-dimensional form. Yet anticipatory anxiety is rife across Victoria around the prospect of reopening and returning to work. Wasn’t this impending moment of freedom supposed to be an experience of relief? Workplace banter and knock-offs we've not experienced consistently in almost two years. Shouldn’t our souls be overly frothy with excitement?
Many Victorians appear purely exhausted by uncertainty, having had to constantly tailor their behaviour based on ever changing public health orders. That’s enough to draw in the blinds and glue your bum to the couch permanently.
Many people will ease straight back into the day-to-day rhythm of the work environment. A lot of this is dependent on psychosocial factors, personal values, and individual perspectives. Some people have been locked down in more social homes than their peers, making the transition out of lockdown less stressful on their noggens. Others hold very little concern about catching the virus, instigating a fairly relaxed approach to office re-entry. On the flipside, many individuals will feel regular bouts of anxiety about returning to work. They may live alone and be unused to face-to-face communication or have underlying concerns about the effects of the virus on their physical health.
Settle in as we plonk down three simple steps to help support staff with reopening anxiety.
The phrase 'trauma informed' is becoming increasingly common. This is an inherently good thing and a bloody important notion in supporting the mental health of Australians. According to Blueknot, trauma can be defined as the experience and effects of overwhelming stress.
Since March 2020, our society has experienced a collective trauma due to the disempowerment of a pandemic. Trauma overwhelms a person’s ability to cope when faced with a threat, or when they believe there is a serious threat confronting them. As such, some staff may perceive returning to work as a threat. There could be a sense of uncertainty in their worldview that has been compounded by the media and politics over the last two years.
As staff re-enter, you may want to familiarise yourself with trauma informed language and non-judgemental support. Examples such as, “How are you feeling about returning to work?” or “It’s understandable to feel [sad/anxious/unsure], I’m here to listen if you need.” As tricky as it can be when we do not relate to a person’s experience, try to set aside the business agenda whilst having this conversation. It is likely the more supported staff feel, the quicker they will re-engage.
There’s a stack of new conditions we need to navigate in the sector, and we need to do so quickly. As we get our venues and offices back up and running, it can be tempting to rush staff into their roles without consultation. Ensure that you have set aside time to gently run each staff member through the changes in place across the business. Remember everyone’s different. Some members of your team may have a thorough understanding of the current Victorian health directions and the requirements in their day-to-day duties. Others, less so. The more insight staff have into their adapted roles, the safer they’ll feel as they navigate the new normal.
Music Victoria, in conjunction with the Partners in Wellbeing program, has secured a Mental Health Clinician/Consultant, and that person is me – Bree.
The pandemic has been tough, it's important we get the jump on our mental health as we return to a new world of normal.
This new service offers free and confidential mental health support for you, your families, and employees. Along with the one-on-one sessions, we can refer you to our free financial counselling and business advisory support services. If you’re keen to connect, I am available for a chat Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
If your issues are not urgent, and you’d like to have a chat with me directly, you can self-refer by emailing bree@musicvictoria.com.au or by making a booking here. Don’t forget, family and staff members are also most welcome to connect in with me for support.
Contact Details
Email: bree@musicvictoria.com.au
Phone: 0409 299 292
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Outside of Business Hours
Outside of business hours, you can connect with the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline on 1300 375 330.