Steven Tyler of Aerosmith Continues to Puzzle Worried Bandmates

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is taking a break from the band and continues to slip deeper into isolation, as reported at Billboard.com. His fellow bandmates are on the look-out for a replacement, but remain worried sick about the frontman.

Why are former bandmates more worried than usual for Steven Tyler of Aerosmith?

Aerosmith has a history, and that history includes severe drug abuse. In the 1970s, Aerosmith was formed, and they reached impressive heights. However, drug addiction interfered with what they could achieve. When Permanent Vacation was released in 1987, it became a blockbuster, and the band became sober. Fellow bandmates remember what drug abuse was like and they don't want to see Tyler fall back into the abyss. Says Brad Whitford, "this guy has a tremendous history of drug abuse, and you have to be suspicious that this is something that's probably going on with him. I have a feeling we might be looking at someone who's just really struggling very badly."

It would not be unusual for someone who has slipped back into drug addiction to want to isolate himself from band members who have still won the fight. Whether out of embarrassment or shame, Tyler may be isolating himself, preferring to hang around others who are addicted as well. As Joey Kramer said, "I don't know what that is. I know he's made some not so great choices, and he's got some negative influences around him now. I love the guy. I just want to see him get some help."

If Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is on drugs, why?

Steven Tyler's behavior has been odd as of late. He said he's leaving the band for two years to work on, as Whitford said, "Brand Tyler." He has refused to answer phone calls and has kept his distance. Bandmates don't know why, or if they do, they're not saying. However, they do imply that drugs may be to blame. Tyler announced that he was not leaving the band, but band members can't count on that. In the meantime, they look for someone to take Tyler's place, at least for now, and hope the rest will work itself out.

If Steven Tyler of Aerosmith has relapsed on drugs, can he get sober and stay sober again?

As reported at Sober Place, of the people who are drug or alcohol dependent, and get sober, many of them relapse. The rate of relapse varies by the type of drug. Steven Tyler has remained sober, since his intense drug days, for many years. As he told Ultimate Guitar, "Of course I did way too many drugs. I spent a lost week in a hotel room with Roger Taylor from Queen, and he wasn't the only guy. The highs were incredible but the lows made you feel like someone was sucking the blood from your jugular with a straw." Tyler checked into rehab and remained clean for years. If Tyler is back on drugs, he can get sober again and remain clean again because he has done it in the past.

Sources:

Aerosmith Bandmates Fear Steven Tyler Is 'Struggling Very Badly', Billboard.com

Sober Place

Steven Tyler: 'I Did Way Too Many Drugs', Utimate Guitar