Addiction and Recovery

Ben Baller's Journey through Addiction and Recovery

Ben Baller is a Grammy Award-winning music producer and artist who struggled with addiction.
He describes his first dots as falling in love with music and hip-hop at a young age.
His desire to perform on stage came from watching Michael Jackson command a stage.
Ben's parents were supportive of his artistic passions and provided encouragement.
He dropped out of school at 14-15 due to the freedom and access to drugs and alcohol.
Addiction provided an escape from his thoughts and reality.
Ben believes that trauma and secrets can be a through line for those struggling with addiction.
There are resources available for loved ones of addicts, such as Al-Anon, to learn how to support them.
Just telling an addict to "stop" is not effective; they need a support system and treatment.
It took hitting a low point for Ben's friend to surrender and seek help for his addiction.
Authenticity and coming from a place of love are important when supporting an addict.
Recovery is a continuous journey that requires self-reflection and support from others.Macklemore on Addiction, Surrender, and the Impact of Music
Macklemore became sober and went to therapy eight years ago after reaching a point of immense pain and realizing he needed help.
Surrendering and asking for help is a crucial step for addicts and alcoholics.
Coming from a place of compassion and meeting people where they're at is important in supporting those struggling with addiction.
Macklemore's biggest moment of surrender was when he was 25 years old and addicted to oxycontin, leading him to lose weight and feel no happiness.
His father's question, "Are you happy?" was his moment of surrender and led him to rehab.
If he had not surrendered, Macklemore believes there was a good chance he could have died due to his addiction.
Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that is causing an epidemic in America and is killing people.
Addiction has affected Macklemore's work ethic and ability to be prolific in his music career.
Music has always been a spiritual practice for Macklemore, and he believes that his pain has turned into purpose through his art.
Clarity, focus, and stability in Macklemore's life come from exercise, being of service to others, a spiritual practice, and removing the ego.
The intention in the studio is crucial, and metrics should not be the basis of one's identity or worth as an artist.
Same Love and Other Side are the most important records Macklemore has recorded, with Same Love becoming a moment for the movement towards equality and Other Side being a record that moved people and saved lives.Ben Haggerty on Addiction, Music, and Spiritual Practice
Ben Haggerty, also known as Macklemore, wrote a song about addiction called "Otherside" after getting out of treatment.
He wanted to be honest about being an addict and not hide it, even though it may not be popular in the music industry.
The song had a profound impact on people in recovery, with many attending his shows and sharing their stories.
Haggerty feels a connection with other addicts who come up to him and share their stories, rather than an emotional weight.
Social media is part of his job, but outside of work, he wants to be present and not constantly on his phone.
Haggerty believes that social media can be toxic if the intention is to get the most likes, engagement, or followers.
He has gained wisdom from his experiences with addiction and believes that those mistakes have led him to where he is now.
If he could go back and talk to his 14-year-old self, he would advise him to enjoy life, find gratitude, and have a spiritual practice.
Haggerty's spiritual practice has looked like meditation, yoga, and attending 12-step meetings.
He finds that getting grounded in the moment and serving others helps him feel spiritually fulfilled.
Haggerty has hurt his parents and his wife the most with his addiction, especially when he was being dishonest and hiding his relapses.
He recognizes that he became the worst version of himself when he was gaslighting his wife and making her feel crazy.Authenticity and Perseverance: A Musician's Journey Through Addiction and Purpose
Musician Ben Haggerty (aka Macklemore) reflects on his struggles with addiction and the impact it had on his family, particularly during a relapse period at the beginning of his career.
Haggerty feared losing his family and the devastating impact a divorce would have on his children due to his self-centered instant gratification needs.
The musician recounts a painful moment when his wife took a pregnancy test while he was high, and he heard her crying through the bathroom door, realizing she was pregnant.
Haggerty discusses the inner turmoil of addiction, the compulsion for more, and the desire to escape, despite knowing the consequences of his actions.
The musician emphasizes the importance of persevering through life's ups and downs and finding meaningful goals to aim for each day.
Haggerty's focus is on the present, with an exceptional ability to focus on the task at hand, rather than thinking about the future.
The musician discusses his passion for his golf clothing company, Bogey Boys, but expresses a deeper fulfillment in his work with The Residency, a youth program in Seattle.
Haggerty desires to leave a lasting impact and legacy through meaningful work and taking risks, rather than seeking momentary happiness.
The musician's new album, named after himself, showcases his diverse range of expression, with a focus on authenticity and not conforming to expectations.
Haggerty acknowledges that authenticity can confuse people, but he remains committed to making music that he loves, detached from the outcome.
The musician's journey serves as a powerful lesson in perseverance and authenticity, running life as a marathon rather than a sprint.
The importance of being true to oneself and running personal experiments rather than conforming to expectations is highlighted, as seen in the example of the diverse range of guests on the interviewer's show.