33 Songs About Addiction, Getting Sober and Recovery

What is the most famous song about addiction?

"Hurt", written by Trent Reznor and made famous again by Johnny Cash, is one of the most powerful songs about addiction. "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse and "The Needle and the Damage Done" by Neil Young are the other best-known ones, and "Amazing" by Aerosmith is the classic rock song about getting sober.

Rock songs about addiction

1. "The Needle and the Damage Done", Neil Young: about friends lost to heroin.
2. "Hurt", Johnny Cash: a late-life cover of the Nine Inch Nails song.
3. "Under the Bridge", Red Hot Chili Peppers: Anthony Kiedis on loneliness after getting clean.
4. "Otherside", Red Hot Chili Peppers: about the struggle that took bandmate Hillel Slovak.
5. "Mr. Brownstone", Guns N' Roses: a dark song about heroin.
6. "Heroin", The Velvet Underground: an unflinching 1967 song.
7. "Cocaine", Eric Clapton: a J.J. Cale song Clapton calls an anti-drug song.
8. "Breaking the Habit", Linkin Park: about trying to break a destructive cycle.

Pop and R&B songs about addiction

9. "Rehab", Amy Winehouse: a famous refusal that became heartbreaking.
10. "Habits (Stay High)", Tove Lo: numbing a breakup.
11. "Sober", Demi Lovato: an apology after a relapse.
12. "Dancing with the Devil", Demi Lovato: about the night she nearly died.
13. "The A Team", Ed Sheeran: written after meeting a woman at a homeless shelter.
14. "Lose Control", Teddy Swims: a soul ballad about a self-destructive time.
15. "Clean", Taylor Swift: uses getting sober as a metaphor for moving on.

Hip hop songs about addiction

16. "Not Afraid", Eminem: the lead single from his album Recovery.
17. "Swimming Pools (Drank)", Kendrick Lamar: about peer pressure and alcoholism.
18. "Good News", Mac Miller: released after his death in 2018.

Country songs about addiction and drinking

19. "Whiskey Lullaby", Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss: a heartbreaking story of drinking to forget.
20. "The Bottle Let Me Down", Merle Haggard: a classic honky-tonk confession.
21. "Sunday Morning Coming Down", Johnny Cash: a Kris Kristofferson song about a lonely morning after.
22. "Cover Me Up", Jason Isbell: about getting sober for the woman he loves.
23. "It Gets Easier", Jason Isbell: an honest look at staying sober over the years.

Songs about recovery and getting sober

24. "Amazing", Aerosmith: about coming through addiction.
25. "Sober", P!nk: about finding yourself without a crutch.
26. "One Step at a Time", Jordin Sparks: about taking life slowly.
27. "Rise Up", Andra Day: an anthem of resilience.
28. "Praying", Kesha: about healing and moving forward.
29. "Fix You", Coldplay: for someone supporting a person they love.
30. "Lean on Me", Bill Withers: a song about asking for help.
31. "Amazing Grace", John Newton: written by a man who changed his life.
32. "Keep Your Head Up", Andy Grammer: a bright song of encouragement.
33. "Recovering", Celine Dion: a gentle song about healing, written by P!nk.

Why these songs matter

Songs about addiction often come from artists who lived it, which is why they feel so honest. For someone struggling, hearing their experience put into words can make them feel less alone. For families, these songs can open a conversation that is hard to start any other way.

Addiction from a family's point of view

Addiction affects everyone around the person, too. Songs like "The A Team" and "Whiskey Lullaby" tell the story from the outside, as a friend or witness, while "Fix You" and "Lean on Me" are songs families often share with someone they love. If you are the one supporting someone, groups like Al-Anon and Nar-Anon offer free meetings for families and friends.

Songs for a sobriety anniversary

A sobriety anniversary, whether it is 30 days, one year or twenty, is worth celebrating. "Amazing", "Cover Me Up", "Rise Up" and "Keep Your Head Up" are favorites for a milestone. For gift ideas, see our guide to the best sobriety anniversary gift for a best friend, and for more uplifting songs, our songs about hope and songs about second chances.

Songs for supporting someone in recovery

When someone you love is in recovery, a song can say what is hard to say out loud. "Lean on Me" and "Fix You" tell them you are there, and "One Step at a Time" reminds them that progress does not have to be fast.

Where to find help

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If someone is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For songs about drinking in a lighter mood, see our songs about drinking.

A song for their sobriety milestone

A personalized song can celebrate someone's recovery in a way no card can: their name, the day they started over, the people who stood by them and the life they are building now. It makes a meaningful gift for a sobriety anniversary or a fresh start.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: country, rock, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three moments from their journey that you are proud of.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Celebrate their fresh start with a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.