Breaking the Habit

Breaking the Habit is a song by Linkin Park and it's also a serious desire for many people addicted to drugs and alcohol. In Linkin Park's song, Breaking the Habit the lyrics are somewhat ambiguous as to just what the habit is that needs to be broken.

Some have theorized that Breaking the Habit is about lead singer, Chester Bennington, who has a history of sexual abuse and drug use. Breaking the Habit, however, was written by Mike Shinoda, starting on it in 1997 when Bennington was not yet a part of the band.

As ambiguous as the song Breaking the Habit may be regarding the specifics of the addiction, the message is clear for many who have suffered with addiction to drugs and alcohol, that breaking the habit is not only a desire, but an action plan. The song starts out with the words, "Memories consume, like opening a wound" which would suggest some trauma the protagonist is experiencing and using some substance helping him to escape.

This trauma may be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or something else that does not quite rise to that level. Farther on in Breaking the Habit, the protagonist says he's confused and locking himself in his room, until he breaks his habit. This suggests that not only is this person taking a stand against his addiction, but he's actively looking for withdrawal from the substance in order to detox his body.

While this may be seen as a bold move by a young person, this is also a dangerous move as many drug and alcohol rehab centers will tell you. Detoxification from drugs and alcohol should be accomplished under medical supervision since some of the side effects can be life threatening.

In the bridge of Breaking the Habit, it is stated, "I don't want to be the one, the battles always choose", which implies the protagonist feeling out-of-control with his addiction as most addicts in crisis are. Instead of being able to pick his own battles, the addict most often feels that the battles pick him instead.

In one of the most telling lines of Breaking the Habit, the singer says, "I'll paint it on the walls, 'cause I'm the one at fault", which indicates that he's willing to take responsibility for the habit and that he's the one in charge of breaking the addiction. Many addicts who enter rehab do not yet have this willingness to take responsibility for their own addictions. This usually comes over time. When someone feels out-of-control with drugs or alcohol, they rarely feel responsible.

But, as the song indicates, taking responsibility is a positive sign for a meaningful and lasting recovery. Linkin Park has hit the nail on the head as far as writing an anthem for recovery from addiction. By taking a stand against addiction and singing about it, Linkin Park in Breaking the Habit will most likely help many of the younger generation to break their own habits and lead a life of recovery and sobriety.