Analysis Of Scott Weiland's Not Dead And Not For Sale

It is no surprise that there has been an everlasting drug epidemic that has poisoned many people from varying walks of life. In addition, it is not surprising that many of these victims come from the music industry, specifically rock and roll. The late singer/songwriter Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots experienced the strain from the never-ending cycle of creating music, touring, signings/meetups, traveling, etc. and resorted to the use of heroin to temporarily relieve that stress. In his memoir, “Not Dead & Not for Sale,” Weiland describes not only his path to fame but also the romantic relationships he had once shared. Through normalizing rehabilitation and equating his heroin addiction to that of a damaging relationship with the use
Immediately afterward, he transitions to his involvement with heroin. “Among my great loves is that category of substances called heroin...I describe this stuff lovingly. I do so at the risk of high irresponsibility...I loved opiates, I hated opiates; I am attracted to opiates perhaps the way John Keats was attracted to death” (Weiland XVIII). Former addicts mostly villainize drugs, but Weiland poetically describes heroin with romantic language and an admiring tone. First, he categorizes it in the same priority list as his wife by calling it one of his “great loves.” Weiland also personifies opiates with the notion of a “love-hate relationship,” which are similar relationships as the ones he had with former lovers. He knows they are detrimental, but he cannot stop himself from becoming enamored. Lastly, the way he says “describe this stuff lovingly” gives the impression that he values it in an affectionate manner as if he were actually dating it.
By using the John Keats analogy, Weiland questions why opiates are popular amongst musicians. “Is death the muse? Is rock and roll the nightingale? Are opiates the key to unlocking the magical kingdom where colorful flowers fade to black? Why should anyone...be drawn to such a kingdom?” (Weiland XVIII). Weiland uses this powerful metaphor to give an idea of how miserable opiate addiction is. He believes life with addiction is so desolate, yet he is captured
“In my 1965 Ford Mustang, I’d drive to my heroin dealer, fix, and float on a cloud. The heroin high is the jet stream without turbulence- that is, until the jet explodes and crashes into the sea” (Weiland 198). Clouds are often times used as symbolism for peace, so he would be tranquil and the pressure around him would temporarily subside while he was high. However, it would be a temporary relaxation as it would eventually wear off. The “jet exploding and crashing” refers to the comedown and the eventual withdrawal. The high would be gone and the major obstacles in his life would slowly creep back. Then, the withdrawal would come into play where he would become ill, gradually getting worse the longer he went without shooting up. Both of these metaphors are interesting since they contrast each other significantly. However, they are in a symbiotic relationship and cannot be experienced separately. In order to get high, one has to deal with the consequences of coming back