How Singer Jeff Tweedy's Drug Addiction Started To Make Himself Feel Like 'Normal Person'

Jeff Tweedy revealed how his journey with drug addiction was different from how others began theirs.

Tweedy announced several projects this year, including a new book and a Rodney Crowell album he produced. But before he made his ultimate comeback, the musician went through worse after he struggled with drug addiction.

Speaking in the new episode of Audible Original's Words + Music podcast series, titled "Please Tell My Brothers," the 55-year-old Wilco guitarist noted how he started it "innocently." He revealed that he started with Valium to manage his anxiety.

The frontman added that the drug made him feel like a normal person and helped him cope with the day while he was on the road. However, such innocence grew contrary as he progressed to Vicodin.

According to MedlinePlus, a habit may be formed while taking the drug. It can reportedly cause serious and life-threatening breathing problems, especially after the dose is increased.

"[Taking Vicodin] was love at first sight, or first intake, whatever you want to call it. The desire to be held in the warm embrace of an opioid is very maternal," he went on. "It's very much the same feeling I had with my mom. You know, that everything is [safe], I was safe and warm and I was this good as she thought I was."

Jeff Tweedy Opens Up About Confronting Addictions, Anxieties

Previously, Tweedy spoke to NewsHour Weekend's Christopher Booker and talked about his memoir, "Let's Go (So We Can Get Back)." In the book, he talked about gaining recognition for his talents and working on his sobriety.

Still, the singer said that writing the book did not change how he thought about his addiction. He said that thinking about the most for the past few years and what he needs to do next to secure his sobriety helped him.

"I'm a big believer in when things get a little bit overwhelming, to slow yourself down and- and think of what the next right thing to do is," he went on. "And I have all this evidence from many more years of- of my- of living that- reassures me I'm- I'm probably gonna be okay."

Tweedy recently worked with country singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell by producing his new album. He also hinted at the arrival of his next book, "World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music," on Nov. 7.

Tags

Jeff Tweedy