Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Entertainment Industry
Facts About Addiction in The Entertainment Industry
Designer clothes. A-list events. Fame and fortune. The entertainment industry is glamorized, as is the portrayal of substance abuse. Whether it’s your favorite celebrity or your current HBO obsession, there’s a high likelihood that drug or alcohol addictions are involved one way or another. According to the American Addiction Center, a 2015 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported higher rates of addictive behaviors in the entertainment industry than in other fields. Here are some of the findings related to workers within the entertainment industry:
- 11.5% of workers reported past month heavy alcohol use compared to 8.7% of all surveyed workers (3rd highest total of all listed industries)
- 13.7% of workers reported past month illicit drug use compared to 8.6% of all surveyed workers (2nd highest total of all listed industries)
- 12.9% of workers reported past year drug or alcohol dependence compared to 9.5% of all surveyed workers (3rd highest total of all listed industries)
Unfortunately, various elements of the entertainment industry, mental illness, and addiction go hand-in-hand, and starting to understand these connections can help us develop a healthier relationship with these topics.
The Most Common Addictions in the Entertainment Industry
While there are various forms of drug abuse within the entertainment industry, the most common seem to be alcohol addiction, prescription drugs addiction, meth addiction, and cocaine addiction. These addictive behaviors can be addressed at drug and alcohol rehab treatment centers.
Learn more about Ed Sheeran’s history of substance abuse here:
Normalization of Alcohol and Drugs in the Entertainment Industry
Not only is drug and alcohol abuse glamorized in the entertainment-industry lifestyle, but the media’s portrayal of substance abuse in music, films, television, social media, and more are often romanticized.
According to American Addiction Center:
- Drugs are present in nearly half of all music videos, including alcohol (35%), tobacco (10%), and illicit drugs (13%).
- One drinking scene is shown on television every 22 minutes, one smoking scene every 57 minutes, and one illicit drug use scene every 112 minutes.
- 71% of prime-time television programs depict alcohol use, 19% depict tobacco use, 20% mention illicit drug use, and 3% depict illegal drug use.
- More than 1/3 of all drinking scenes on television shows are humorous, while less than 1/4 of drinking scenes show any negative consequences.
- The average teenager is exposed to nearly 85 drug references a day in popular music.
- 40% of profiles on social networking websites reference substance abuse.
The portrayals of substance abuse in the media are often harmful and romanticized. More realistic media portrayals of addiction, mental illness, and addiction treatment centers would help educate while diminishing stereotypes.
Unique Stresses of the Entertainment Industry
People in the entertainment industry live a stressful life in the public eye. Factors like significant stress (such as stage fright and pressures of show business), peer pressure, competition, and exposure to alcohol or drugs are commonplace within the entertainment industry. They may help explain celebrities’ high substance abuse rates. That being said, drug and alcohol abuse is not singularly caused by being a celebrity but by a slew of potential triggers and causes.
Addiction Treatment at Novo Detox in Los Angeles
Novo Detox is a luxury drug and alcohol rehab center in Los Angeles. Once you’ve chosen to get sober, rehab treatments begin with a medical detox and 24/7 medical care. While detoxing, those suffering from addictions are assisted with saltwater therapy, nutritional snacks and meals, and holistic approaches such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation, stretching, and more. During inpatient rehab, patients will undergo personalized therapy sessions accompanied by family therapy, group therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, creative healing, an introduction to 12-step programs, and more. While patients address mental illness and their substance abuse disorder, they’ll also participate in goal setting, anger management, aftercare planning, and strength building, amongst other developmental treatment options. Outpatient treatments include partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs. Please contact us at (844) 834-1777 today to learn more.
