Dopamine Addict

Alec Benjamin's song "Dopamine Addict" delves into the harrowing experience of battling addiction, specifically to dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the physical and emotional turmoil that accompanies withdrawal. The opening lines, "Six months clean off the dopamine / Throw my phone through the wall," immediately set the tone for the struggle, highlighting the intense frustration and isolation that come with trying to break free from this dependency. The recurring theme of being unreachable, symbolized by the "dial tone," underscores the sense of disconnection from friends and the outside world.

The chorus, "I'm a dopamine addict, I can't break the habit / Runs in my head, psychosomatic," captures the cyclical nature of addiction. The term "psychosomatic" suggests that the addiction is not just physical but also deeply ingrained in the mind, making it even harder to overcome. The imagery of staring in the mirror and hiding in the attic conveys a sense of self-loathing and retreat from reality. The attic, often a place of storage and forgotten items, symbolizes the artist's attempt to hide from his own issues and the world.

Throughout the song, Benjamin expresses a longing for normalcy and self-esteem, as seen in the lines, "I have these dreams where I'm me again / And they almost feel like they're real." However, these moments of hope are fleeting, as the "chills and sweats" of withdrawal pull him back into his struggle. The repetition of "got a hold of me" emphasizes the relentless grip of addiction. The song's raw honesty and vivid imagery make it a powerful exploration of the complexities of addiction, resonating with anyone who has faced similar battles or knows someone who has.