Conventional rock star lives? : celebrity musicians and drug use careers : a psychosocial study

Abstract

This dissertation explores the drug use careers of celebrity musicians. The concept of career is used to identify the contingencies which contribute to the onset of drug use and subsequent commitment and desistance among this rarely researched group. By exploring contingencies such as family, friends, societal reaction, coping and individual characteristics, this study aims to shed more light on the link between drug use and celebrity musician status. Theoretical thematic analysis guided the study's analytical strategy. Secondary data sources, namely authorised biographies of world renowned musicians were used during the data collection process. The afore-mentioned contingencies to varying extremes, were found to contribute to the development of the selected cases' self-concept and moreover to the progression of their drug use careers. The study concludes with a re-appraisal of its major outcomes and forwards recommendations for future research.