DRUNK, HIGH, OR DEPRESSED: 
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS FOR MUSICIANS
  • Set clear goals - know who you are and where you are going and how you are going to get there.
  • Involve significant others. Loved ones at home are important sources of support.
  • Communicate, communicate, communicate! Too many musicians are into a mode of "Stop talking and play, and that's what counts." What a mistake. Putting thoughts into words and doing your best to make certain you are heard is essential to emotional health.
  • Take time to problem solve.  When there is some sort of conflict or misunderstanding, immediately work for a resolution. Don't stick your head in the sand.
  • Plan, plan, plan.  Taking care of the details of life is just as important as taking care of the details of music. Overlooking the little things can result in a mountain of problems in a very short time.
  • Set aside regular times to talk, at every step of the way; before a gig, rehearsal, studio session or prior to a road trip make certain there is time to talk, review, plan, bitch, what-ever. Having band meetings only in times of crisis is not enough.
  • Have a schedule.  Living by the seat of your pants will wear you down. A routine, even a flexible one, is very comforting.
  • Be healthy: eat, sleep, relax, exercise. All are critical to emotional health.
  • Chemicals are hazardous to your emotional well being.  Think before you use; don't end up on auto pilot where one drink quickly becomes six and you're an alcoholic before you know it.
  • Be polite:  Sugar will get you more than vinegar almost every time.
  • Be assertive, not aggressive nor passive. Find the balance of being sensitive to yourself and sensitive to others. The extremes of always fighting or always ignoring can be stressful.
  • Keep it simple. Don't complicate things when there are difficulties. Focus on ones issue at a time and work to resolution.
  • Be present centered.  Don't live in the past; take care of issues as soon as they come up. There is an old saying: " The more you stir shit, the more it stinks."
  • Learn from mistakes. When a mistake/accident happens, take care of it and figure out how to not do it again.
Staying sane and sober in this business is pretty simple. Applying common sense in a consistent fashion will do it every time.
If you have any questions or want to talk about stress of the business, send an E-mail to, or phone Dr. John Hipple, Ph.D. at 940-565-2741.
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