In a special hour-long discussion, three artists in recovery shared their personal experiences getting sober in the music world. The conversation was presented by MusiCares in partnership with Sober 21, Elia Einhorn's project in collaboration with The Creative Independent.
Moderated by Brendan Berry, MusiCares' Mental Health & Addiction Services Client Manager, the Musicians In Recovery panel featured Einhorn, Moby and Maluca Mala. Each panelist discussed the struggles they faced navigating the beginning of sobriety, as well as how being in recovery is a journey that continues every day onward.
Watch the full conversation below and read four moving quotes from the Musicians In Recovery panel below.
"Once I finally admitted that [I'm an addict] to myself and had that core realization, that's what made the commitment to the work so important." — Moby
Moby's journey with sobriety began at the early age of 12. After getting sober many times, October 2008 marked the beginning of something different for him. For years, Moby didn't realize that he was an addict, or that his behavior was unethical. It took full acceptance of the fact that he is an addict in order for him to begin taking the steps towards recovery.
Einhorn also spoke to the way that accepting he is an addict has empowered him. Coming to terms with this fact has allowed him to continue collaborating with people in the music world at clubs and bars, while staying sober.
"You have to have your own sober experience." — Maluca Mala
Moby quoted the phrase "To thine own self be true," inscribed on sobriety coins. He suggested that people will try to tell you what to do as you start your recovery journey, but it is important to remember that it is your journey. "Nobody should tell you what you should do or how to live it," he added.
Maluca, who is now a sponsor, touched upon some of her personal experience helping others from their own journeys. Rather than telling the people she sponsors what to do, she provides them with the tools needed to have their own individual sober experience.
She shared the motto, "Take what you want, and leave the rest." As she explained, not everyone will have the same experience. Different things work for different individuals. Sharing what worked for yourself personally may be helpful to others, but should not dictate what will help them.
"It was so transformational for me to realize that [addiction] affects all of us. It affects the hipsters, it affects the investment bankers, it affects the cops, it affects everybody. We're all scared, and we're all in it together." — Moby
Einhorn, Maluca and Moby all detailed their individual experiences feeling alone in the beginning of their recovery journeys. When going through the first few months of their sobriety, they felt like they had lost part of their sanity and were "terminally unique."
Moby noted, "Up until sobriety, I thought everybody in the world had their s— together. I thought everybody in the world was scary, and I thought I was the only frightened, vulnerable person on the planet." When speaking to his sponsor about what he was the most ashamed of, Moby was shocked that his sponsor continuously responded with "Me too" to everything he listed.
All of the panelists spoke about how the wide range of different types of people attending AA meetings helped them in not feeling alone. The diversity within the rooms they were visiting made them realize that everyone has struggles, and recovery is for everyone.
"For folks who are new to sobriety, life is not perfect just because you get sober — but the ability to make an amazing life becomes possible." — Elia Einhorn
Einhorn credits sobriety as the foundation that enabled him to succeed — as well as get through all of the rough patches — throughout his career. "If you see it, you can be it," he encouraged. "And the four of us here, just for today, we are sober music professionals, and it's working."
Prior to getting sober, Maluca said she didn't think that she could successfully navigate the music industry. She continued to make music as she was getting sober, and now feels that she is making the best music that she's ever made. Her journey came with a lot of trials, but she credits sobriety for giving her the ability to have fun making music that she loves.
Moby feels that sobriety has heightened his creativity. It has allowed him to let go of his fears and the need for constant control. Letting that go allowed him to focus on creating music simply for the sake of creativity. Moby tells newcomers to sobriety, "Don't quit before the miracle happens. Read the 9th step promises and believe to the core of your being that if they haven't come true, they absolutely will."