Navigating the Orchestral World: Substance Use As a Coping Mechanism for Performance Anxiety

This study investigates the intersection of substance use and identity among Australian classical musicians, focusing on how substances are used to manage music performance anxiety within the collaborative system of the orchestral “art world.” Drawing on Howard S. Becker’s concept of the diverse and interdependent roles in “art worlds” and Tia DeNora’s ideas on music as a social agent, we explore how musicians navigate the external pressures and the collective nature of orchestras that shape musicians' behaviours in their professional environment. This mixed-method study combines survey data and in-depth interviews to uncover not only the prevalence of substance use—with over 50% of participants reporting beta blocker use—but also the underlying reasons for this behaviour.

We examine how musicians’ substance use is shaped by the demands of maintaining a professional identity, influencing not just musical production, but also personal coping mechanisms within the competitive and often high-pressure orchestral environment. Our findings contribute to Eduardo de la Fuente’s call for a socially constructed understanding of art and music, as we delve into how identity formation and performance in the orchestral world are intertwined with substance use.

The persistence of substance use across different career stages highlights the need for long-term support mechanisms, tailored policies, and programs that foster a culture of wellbeing and mental health support within the orchestral community. By investigating the motivations behind substance use, this research adds a critical dimension to discussions on the social dynamics of art production and the mental health challenges faced by classical musicians.