The Shame of Saying You Are an Alcoholic in Show Business – Bonnie R.

About This Speaker Tape

Bonnie R. maps out a recovery that didn't start with a crash but with a 'lifestyle awakening.' She describes the occupational hazards of the rock and roll world—the romanticization of sex and drugs—and the realization in her mid-30s that she was becoming sloppy and slow to recover from hangovers. Rather than a 'nudge from the judge,' she was drawn to the peace and serenity of sober musician friends.

She discusses the creative explosion that followed her sobriety specifically the making of the album 'Nick of Time,' and the importance of the Musician's Assistance Program (MAP) in dismantling the shame that keeps artists from seeking help. She views her sobriety not as a loss of 'edge' or 'funk,' but as a vivid awakening of her creativity and sexuality treating her daily practice as a prayer and a constant call for help.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Introduction of Bonnie R. and her career achievements.
• 1:15 Bonnie R. describes the 'occupational hazards' of the music industry and her 'lifestyle awakening'.
• 3:00 Discussion of the 'program of attraction' and the serenity of sober friends.
• 4:10 The creation of the album 'Nick of Time' as a reflection of sobriety and a retreat.
• 6:00 Reflections on the San Quentin performance and the struggle for inner freedom in prison.
• 8:30 Discussion of the the Musician's Assistance Program (MAP) and the shame associated with addiction in the industry.
• 11:00 Bonnie R. discusses the 'honeymoon' phase of the first year and the role of the 12 Steps in uncovering the tentacles of addiction.
• 13:30 Laughter: The 'payback' story about being cornered by a hammered person at a party.
• 15:00 Addressing the fear of losing creativity in sobriety; the 'vivid' nature of the sober creative process.
• 17:00 Advice for musicians struggling with relapse and the importance of finding a community of other sober musicians.