Born in Nigeria and raised in London, Holland and Ecuador, Seye is a London-based multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, best known for being the live bass player in the animated, multi-media band Gorillaz. Seye is five years sober and is proud to use his platform to raise awareness, break down barriers, and inspire others. Here, he shares his thoughts on this year’s Addiction Awareness Week campaign on behalf of Music Support.
"Addiction Affects Everyone But Recovery Is Possible".
The first time I read that phrase, I wasn’t sure if I actually believed it. Does addiction really affect everyone? Not everyone is an addict! The more I thought about it, the more I realised how true it is.
The blast radius of addiction is far and wide. It’s your uncle or your cousin; it’s the person fighting in the bar; it’s the constant shouting through the walls from your neighbour; it’s the quiet bottle and a half every night you don’t tell anyone about.
We see its effects in A&E departments across the nation and with those unfortunate enough to sleep on our streets. We see it in boardrooms, classrooms, playgrounds, pulpits, and sporting arenas. Addiction takes many forms, and it affects us all in many ways.
I, for one, on paper, had it all. I was touring the world, playing music in some of the biggest acts, on the biggest stages. I was well-paid, well-regarded, with friends and a long-term relationship. How could I be sad? What could possibly be wrong?
No one knew about the deep, dark hole I was trying to fill with drink and cocaine - desperately trying to disguise the darkness.
I was lost, but I was still able to keep working. I remained a nice and kind guy. I was good to be around - not a messy drunk, not a dangerous presence, always welcoming. I was able to fool myself for a while, but then I started sacrificing rent money to feed my habits. The lying, stealing, irresponsibility, and hurting those I loved became the rule, not the exception. I managed to avoid facing the truth until my girlfriend noticed me waking up and pulling a stashed bottle of wine from the side of the bed, taking a swig before the sleep had even left my eyelids.
After that, I began avoiding everyone - my friends, my family, my partner. There were hundreds of missed calls, texts, and unopened letters. Defaulted loans in the thousands, missed court dates. The spiral just kept going - on and on and on.
However, I’m here today. I am clean and sober for over five and a half years, thanks to the support, love, and grace of my family, partner, and friends.
Recovery is possible. There are as many paths to recovery as there are people, so you shouldn’t fear that the only way is religious, in groups, or expensive. The only requirements for getting into recovery, I believe, are that you are willing - and that you understand that you cannot do it alone.
I went to Teen Challenge UK and spent ten months at Willoughby House doing a residential programme. I then spent a further six months at my parent’s place.
I mentioned earlier the ‘blast radius’ of addiction, which reaches far beyond yourself and affects society at large. Well, I believe the ‘blast radius’ of our good decisions reaches even further.
You never know who your recovery could be helping - even from afar. You could be breaking generational cycles in your family and changing the course for generations to come.
Addiction does affect everyone - but so does recovery.
