After getting dropped by Columbia Records at 18 years old, singer-songwrite… Read Full Bio ↴After getting dropped by Columbia Records at 18 years old, singer-songwriter Alec Benjamin built a following by playing in parking lots outside of Shawn Mendes and Troye Sivan concerts. The Phoenix, Arizona native caught the attention of Jon Bellion, earning a songwriting credit on Bellion’s debut album and later joined him on tour.

To build on the momentum, Benjamin began uploading new songs to his YouTube channel at a rapid clip and eventually earned a viral hit with “I Built a Friend” and a deal with Atlantic Records.

Benjamin connects to listeners by incorporating using his life struggles to tell stories and give meaning to his songs. You can see this in “Let Me Down Slowly,” “Paper Crown,” “I Built a Friend,” “Death of a Hero,” and “If We Have Each Other.”
Benjamin released his first studio album mixtape, Narrated for You on November 16, 2018, and released his first studio album, These Two Windows on May 29, 2020

Dopamine Addict
Alec Benjamin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Six months clean off the dopamine
Threw my phone through the wall
My friends can't get a hold of me
Just a dial tone when they call
Chills and sweats comin' over me
And I'm aching from the withdrawal
This chemistry has got a hold of me
Got a hold of me, got a hold of me

I'm a dopamine addict, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, psychosomatic
Stare in the mirror, hide in the attic
Cry in my bed, I'm a dopamine addict
And I feel like I'm out of touch, keep thinkin' I need that crutch
Keep thinkin' I need that rush
I just can't break the habit, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, dopamine addict

I have these dreams where I'm me again
And they almost feel like they're real
It's as if I have self-esteem again
It's as if I'm starting to heal
The chills and sweats grab a hold of me
And they pull me out of my dream
They just won't seem to let go of me
To let go of me, to let go of me

I'm a dopamine addict, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, psychosomatic
Stare in the mirror, hide in the attic
Cry in my bed, I'm a dopamine addict
And I feel like I'm out of touch, keep thinkin' I need that crutch
Keep thinkin' I need that rush
I just can't break the habit, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, dopamine addict

The cycle is doomed, recycle, reuse
And then up the potency
The cycle is doomed, recycle, reuse
It just won't let go of me
Won't let go of me, got a hold of me

I'm a dopamine addict, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, psychosomatic
Stare in the mirror, hide in the attic
Cry in my bed, I'm a dopamine addict
And I feel like I'm out of touch, keep thinkin' I need that crutch
Keep thinkin' I need that rush

I just can't break the habit, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, dopamine addict

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Alec Benjamin's song 'Dopamine Addict' talk about the addiction to dopamine that the singer is experiencing. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for the brain's pleasure and reward system. The singer mentions being clean off dopamine for six months but still craving the rush that comes with it. He feels out of touch and like he needs the rush to stay alive. The addiction has made him throw his phone through the wall and hide away in his attic.

He talks about having dreams where he feels like himself again and has self-esteem. However, the chills and sweats of withdrawal wake him up from these dreams, making him realize that the cycle won't let go of him. The singer also mentions how the cycle of addiction starts over again each time, with a stronger potency that makes the control harder to break. The song portrays the struggles and damaging effects of addiction in a poignant way, highlighting how it is not something that can be easily overcome.

Overall, 'Dopamine Addict' is a song that deals with the dark reality of addiction and the struggle that comes with trying to regain control. The lyrics provide a stark reminder of the damaging effects that addiction can have on a person's life, making it an important message for those struggling with addiction and their loved ones.

Line by Line Meaning

Six months clean off the dopamine
I have been abstaining from dopamine for the past six months.

Threw my phone through the wall
I experienced intense anger towards my phone and got rid of it in a destructive way.

My friends can't get a hold of me
My friends cannot reach me or communicate with me.

Just a dial tone when they call
When my friends try to call me, they do not hear my voice, only the sound of a dial tone.

Chills and sweats comin' over me
I experience physical symptoms like chills and sweating due to dopamine withdrawal.

And I'm aching from the withdrawal
I am experiencing physical pain due to withdrawal from dopamine.

This chemistry has got a hold of me
I am strongly addicted to the chemical reaction in my brain caused by dopamine.

Got a hold of me, got a hold of me
The dopamine addiction has a powerful hold on me that I cannot shake.

I'm a dopamine addict, can't break the habit
I am addicted to dopamine and cannot overcome the habit.

Runs in my head, psychosomatic
The dopamine addiction plays out in my mind as a psychosomatic reaction.

Stare in the mirror, hide in the attic
I experience paranoia and hide from others, even from myself by staring in the mirror.

Cry in my bed, I'm a dopamine addict
I have become so consumed by my addiction that it brings me to tears.

And I feel like I'm out of touch, keep thinkin' I need that crutch
I feel disconnected from reality and rely on dopamine as a coping mechanism.

Keep thinkin' I need that rush
I continue to crave the rush of dopamine, even though it is causing me harm.

I just can't break the habit, can't break the habit
Despite my best efforts, I cannot overcome my addiction to dopamine.

The cycle is doomed, recycle, reuse
My addiction becomes a cycle of using, reusing, and recycling the same behaviors to seek out dopamine.

And then up the potency
I take more drastic measures to achieve the same level of dopamine, escalating the intensity of the addiction.

It just won't let go of me
The addiction is persistent and will not release its hold on me.

Won't let go of me, got a hold of me
The addiction remains firmly entrenched and has a tight grip on my life.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alec Shane Benjamin, Nolan Joseph Lambroza, Samuel Elliot Roman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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01Dopamine Addict2:24

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Alec Benjamin

02Hammers3:00

03The Way You Felt3:03

04Shadow of Mine2:45

05Speakers2:39

06Hill I Will Die On2:47

07Hipocrite2:16

08Nancy Got a Haircut1:58

09Nuance2:52

10Devil Doesn’t Bargain2:43

11Deniro2:21

12Older2:44

13One Wrong Turn2:46

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@pierozuniga9749

2y↑2K

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Six months clean off the dopamine
Throw my phone through the wall
My friends can't get a hold of me
Just a dial tone when they call

[Pre-Chorus]
Chills and sweats comin' over me
And I'm aching from the withdrawal
This chemistry has got a hold of me
Got a hold of me, got a hold of me

[Chorus]
I'm a dopamine addict, I can't break the habit
Runs in my head, psychosomatic
I stare in the mirror, hide in the attic
Cry in my bed, I'm a dopamine addict
And I feel like I'm out of touch
Keep thinkin' I need that crutch
Keep thinkin' I need that rush
I just can't break the habit, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, dopamine addict

[Verse 2]
I have these dreams where I'm me again
And they almost feel like they're real
It's as if I have self-esteem again
It's as if I'm starting to heal

[Pre-Chorus]
The chills and sweats grab a hold of me
And they pull me out of my dream
They just won't seem to let go of me
To let go of me, to let go of me

[Chorus]
I'm a dopamine addict, I can't break the habit
Runs in my head, psychosomatic
I stare in the mirror, hide in the attic
Cry in my bed, I'm a dopamine addict
And I feel like I'm out of touch
Keep thinkin' I need that crutch
Keep thinkin' I need that rush
I just can't break the habit, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, dopamine addict

[Bridge]
The psycho is doomed
Your psycho re-used
And then up the potency
The psycho is doomed
Your psycho re-used
It just won't let go of me
Won't let go of me, got a hold of me
[Chorus]
I'm a dopamine addict, I can't break the habit
Runs in my head, psychosomatic
I stare in the mirror, hide in the attic
Cry in my bed, I'm a dopamine addict
And I feel like I'm out of touch
Keep thinkin' I need that crutch
Keep thinkin' I need that rush
I just can't break the habit, can't break the habit
Runs in my head, dopamine addict

@causeofyoureuphoria

2y↑19

Lyrics:

Six months clean off the dopamine
Throw my phone through the wall
My friends can’t get a hold of me
Just a dial tone when they call

Chills and sweats coming over me
And I’m aching from the withdrawal
This chemistry has got a hold of me
Got a hold of me
Got a hold of me

I’m a dopamine addict
Can’t break the habit
Runs in my head
Psychosomatic
I stare in the mirror
Hide in the attic
Cry in my bed
I’m a dopamine addict
And I feel like I’m out of touch
Keep thinkin’ I need that crutch
Keep thinkin’ I need that rush
I just can’t break the habit
Can’t break the habit
Runs in my head
Dopamine addict

I have these dreams where I’m me again
They almost feel like they’re real
It’s as if I have self-esteem again
It’s as if I’m starting to heal

The chills and sweats grab a hold of me
And they pull me out of my dream
They just won’t seem to let go of me
To let go of me
To let go of me

I’m a dopamine addict
Can’t break the habit
Runs in my head
Psychosomatic
I stare in the mirror
Hide in the attic
Cry in my bed
I’m a dopamine addict
And I feel like I’m out of touch
Keep thinkin’ I need that crutch
Keep thinkin’ I need that rush
I just can’t break the habit
Can’t break the habit
Runs in my head
Dopamine addict

The psycho is doomed
Your psycho re-used
And then up the potency
The psycho is doomed
Your psycho re-used
It just won’t let go of me
Won’t let go of me
Got a hold of me

I’m a dopamine addict
Can’t break the habit
Runs in my head
Psychosomatic
I stare in the mirror
Hide in the attic
Cry in my bed
I’m a dopamine addict
And I feel like I’m out of touch
Keep thinkin’ I need that crutch
Keep thinkin’ I need that rush
I just can’t break the habit
Can’t break the habit
Runs in my head
Dopamine addict

All comments from YouTube:

@AlecBenjaminMusic

2y↑923

MY BRAND NEW ALBUM (UN)COMMENTARY IS OUT EVERYWHERE NOW! I HOPE YOU LOVE IT:) PERFORMING AT COACHELLA THIS SUNDAY/NEXT SUNDAY .. ON TOUR AFTER THAT! tour: https://linktr.ee/alecbenjamin

@prernasharma8472

2y↑6

really excited 😊🎉🎉

@oliviaparkin9875

2y↑2

Judging by this beautiful song, the entire album is going to going to be an amazing one!!! Keep being fantastic!!!

@blazerfortune2910

2y↑3

Woah best as always😃😃😃

@wendymotown9718

2y↑1

Thank you! Tysm!

@venyeoo

Another good album!

30 More Replies...

@pierozuniga9749

2y↑2K

@joeydegamestreamer4644

2y↑12

thank youuuu

@trappozoiid

2y↑81

I think in the bridge it says “The cycle is doomed, recycle reuse” and not “the psycho is doomed, your psycho reused”

@yumiayumi7765

2y↑2

THANK YOU!!

@kumari__1616

2y↑2

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist..

@the_alien_1239

2y↑3

@@trappozoiid agreed

11 More Replies...

@FeZerD

2y↑1.5K

I like he's using rush beats in his songs it legimately gives me chills

@kumari__1616

2y↑11

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist.

@praneel5920

2y↑9

Ikr, it’s soooo goood. My fav song now lmao

@omaikinho

2y↑3

@@kumari__1616 DUDEEE your song is amazing

@toastertrio641

2y↑4

HONESTLYY, it’s different in the best way possible, he never fails to impress me tbh!

@frxmthegxllxws

2y↑2

@@omaikinho its not
its not their song

11 More Replies...

@gtpp8655

2y↑121

“And I feel like I'm out of touch
Keep thinkin' I need that crutch
Keep thinkin' I need that rush”is my favorite part of the song.

@idklol9966

2y↑634

Imma be honest the music lately has been feeling a lot more personal and I litteraly love it so much it makes the songs so much better❤❤

@kumari__1616

2y↑10

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist.

@vaitiarmy6647

2y↑399

The way every time you listen to Alec's songs you can tell it's his because it has these vibes only him can pull off. His songs and his voice heals me when I'm not feeling well.

@sarasimonetta9500

What the song is about

@ardentfanofastronomyastrop2649

@@atfal_naz3505 if you have gone through hardships or if you are going through hardships of life when no one supports you, whom you trusted betrayed and harmed you,every people turned against you even if you are going in a right path,when life doesn't pay you the fruit of your hardwork,when your family and you are criticized and are undermined in society for belonging to a lower middle class family which I am currently experiencing all right now then I think you can relate this song with you.

@SkyVirtual

43w

@@ardentfanofastronomyastrop2649 the song is about dopamine addiction especially medias

@JamesBogashDC

2y↑330

Been having a discussion with my 16 yr old son on the meaning of this song. He feels that it's about depression -- the lack of dopamine is leading to the depression. I hear it differently, knowing that dopamine addiction is a huge part of society's addiction to technology and social media; always trying to "get that rush" from the next wave of social proof. And Alec certainly sounds like the dopamine is something he wants LESS of (there are many negative connotations aimed at the dopamine). Anyone else have thoughts?

@butterymcbacktail7384

2y↑28

Maybe something such as p*ornography addiction? I am just speculating. I can easily see this song being about social media addiction as well. Without Alec revealing the meaning himself it's hard to pinpoint what he is truly referencing.

@JamesBogashDC

2y↑11

@@butterymcbacktail7384 Thanks for the input! It would be nice to hear others thoughts as well.

@sophmcamp

2y↑30

a lack of dopamine is actually a major component of adhd, but anyone can certainly feel like a “dopamine addict” with social media infiltration

@summerrainyseason5967

2y↑42

Dopamine is the "motivation" chemicals in ur brain. I think it is more of he is depressed. Since low on dopamine can lead to lack of motivation, and feeling unmotivated. Depressed people are more vulnerable to other addiction, like social media addiction, drug abuse,... etc. So I think you both can make sense. He is depressed, and he got a shot of dopamine when looking at social media, but it only makes him feel worse. So he tried to avoid using his phone, but then his depression is taking toll on him, making him feel as if he is "addicted" to the dopamine the social media gives.

@JamesBogashDC

2y↑9

@@summerrainyseason5967 You're definitely on the side of my son!

22 More Replies...

@A-ID-A-M

2y↑273

Literally just felt my dopamine run out from my ADHD meds. I am so glad I started taking them. I feel happy now hahaha.

@kumari__1616

2y↑5

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist.

@fofiwgf1081

can you tell what dopamine is? i dont know and im curious

@briannaduke7738

2y↑1

@@fofiwgf1081 It's basically known as the happy chemical. Your brain releases it when good things happen and it is there to make your brain want to do the things that give you dopamine

@fofiwgf1081

@@briannaduke7738 thank u so much for telling me:)

@Golden_26

2y↑1

@@fofiwgf1081 it helps you feel pleasure (sexually and chemically)

8 More Replies...

@xemmatje._

2y↑132

I CANT WAIT TO LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM ON REPEAT

@kumari__1616

2y↑2

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist..

@julialyons6447

OMG LEGIT SAME

@wendymotown9718

2y↑120

Omg- Just wanna say Alec, no matter what, you are my favorite artist. ♥️. You changed my point of view in things. You've helped me. Thank you! Recently I've been going through somethings ( No,not drugs ), and your songs make me feel like I can relate. Thank you for making such good songs! To anyone who feels the same- you're not alone.

@kumari__1616

2y↑1

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist..

@liajocelynecalderon9404

2y↑147

Alec, te conozco desde hace un año y no sabes cuánto te amo, como tú musica me ha inspirado, eres lo más lindo q hay, mereces mucho más reconocimiento

@kumari__1616

2y↑4

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist.

@Expr3ssions

1y↑12

this is officially my fav song

@alecsguitarpick

2y↑34

Alec Benjamin, a must-hear, up-and coming songwriter from Arizona. HE WILL DEFINITELY BECOME A SUPERSTAR ONE DAY. SO PROUD OF HIM🧡

@tsumplays4185

2y↑3

is he not already quite famous

@zeeshaanjan6258

2y↑4

@@tsumplays4185 well he deserves way better

@tsumplays4185

@@zeeshaanjan6258 ah i see thats what he meant. Well i agree. Alec is amazing

@lucy5359

2y↑32

It’s sounds AMAZING Alec congrats <3

@kumari__1616

2y↑2

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist..

@yagnikbose8973

2y↑14

Discovered alec on a random Spotify play through back in 2020 and loved his music. Beautiful voice. And then I searched up all his songs, loved most of them too. But then I got under a lot of pressure and almost forgot about him. Today during a thunderstorm and trying to distract myself with you tube, I discovered him again and oh well he's as good as the day I lost him😊.

@femboy9561

2y↑6

THE ALBUM DROPPED OH MY GOD! IM SO HYPED!!

@praneel5920

2y↑3

The rap like part bangs fr. 🤝

@aj_cipher

2y↑2

I LOVE THE NEW ALBUM AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

@sunyflower4077

2y↑17

Alec you never fail to give your music that personal touch, and they never fail to hit me at heart. Your music has done so much for me and I’ve always enjoyed it❤

@vijjureddy1444

2y↑10

His rhythms went through my heart here 0:38🥰🥺

@bettyhabtom291

2y↑5

His voice got me crying everytime 😭

@awsomedotssheepnotfound8605

2y↑19

just saw the notification clicked on it so fast- I love your music so much and I look forward to listening to your songs on repeat!!

@kumari__1616

2y↑1

I just tried making my own song inspired by him
Not as good as this ofc 😅
tell me honestly how was it Good / bad !
I would love to hear back from you ❤️
It's in my Channels playlist...

@emesezilahi8824

2y↑19

I have been listening to lot of your song lately, and they help me soo much. You never dissapoint us. Your have an angelic voice. We love yur song soo much. 🧡

@giul9864

2y↑2

They helped me too. Through great and rough times.

@emesezilahi8824

2y↑1

@@giul9864 Same

@Getosuguru0014

2y↑4

Dude this guy is a legend

@toes936

2y↑5

his music is never bad it's always so good

@silverboiiii4205

2y↑4

for me Alec's songs are like, the most relatable music ever. i love every single one of that masterpieces i swear

@ONEFRUITYPEBBLE

2y↑2

I LOOVVEEE THIS SONG I HAVE NO WORDS

@linnelandsberg9240

36w↑5

I feel this as a person with ADHD, I am always seeking dopamine in unhealthy ways

@AlecBenjaminmusic1

23w

Hello beloved lady, Thank you for your lovely like and comments 🥰🙏

@odrykakhan2765

2y↑2

This is so very relatable

@marvinsimukonda8049

2y↑4

The Flow at 0:38🤞🏾🔥🔥🔥

2y↑1

I get chills every time the fast part comes 🧡⭐

@chu4601

2y↑1

omg i love this

@gyuzies

Omg Alec I am so proud of you and how far you have come

@itscharkes

akec, your mind is amazing. the lyrics are so perfectly written, the way you matchthe tempo of your words with beats is phenominal. ily

@moveslikeninja1

2y↑1

im obsessed with this oneeeee

@sillie3158

2y↑4

Never felt so connected to a song before, your songs are always so comforting.❤❤

@Wasibell

42w↑2

I am melting in his music☺. I am sad and happy at the same time, I love it.❤

I love this already

@sugarkats21

2y↑3

OMG SO EXCITING! This song is incredible, his voice is so amazing and of course the lyrics and the story they tell is relatable and beautifully written 😭

@mirelleishak5885

2y↑1

Hearing Alec’s voice just give me chill vibes and makes me feel less alone

@notreyaa

2y↑1

all these song give me chills.. going from fast to slow paces but with the same catchy beat

@matthewmartinez9835

39w↑1

I love Alec Benjamin to this day😭

@plinxz7858

2y↑3

I love how he can take his feelings and turn them into rhymes and lyrics that still have the same meaning as words. It really goes to show how good of a song writer he is! :D ❤️

@v.vanessa

2y↑4

YOU'RE AMAZING, ALEC!! AMAZINGGG AS ALWAYS <33

@joanadiaz1791

2y↑2

im so proud of you alec <33

@elizabethrangel7406

Honestly I’ve never been so attached to a songwriter before his music and how his voice is just gives me happiness I’ve been listening to him for years

@nguyenthihuonguwu5403

2y↑1

His voice is amazing

@Celeste_51

2y↑4

Such a beautiful tune for a dark topic- This is incredible <3

@weird_donut114

2y↑2

Alec, Ricky, Lynn and Conan released some songs in the same day, well that's just blessings

@shori5713

1y↑2

Listening to this song gives me so much energy and good vibes
I literally love every song of yours, they're the best ever! 😍

@user-pe1tw8gd3l

19w

you have an amazing voice it is so calming

@Alex.Dougherty

LITERALLY SOBBING

@LASTRAITS205

Alec the emotion♥️

2y↑1

OH MY LORD, ALEC THIS IS SOOOOO GOOD

@autisticvampyr

2y↑1

this dude has no idea how much i look up to him and adore him

@internetparrot9753

This is so good I wanna cry

@Spacebound07

2y↑1

Bro this album is a complete masterpeice keep goin alec ly!

@bhavyajain3946

2y↑3

ALEC IS SOOO UNDERRATED. THIS IS 🔥🔥🔥

@suchowdhury6543

2y↑2

He's voice really amazing

@tatianar6841

Love this album

@phoebe6165

i love this

@koyaldas4660

2y↑2

Swear I'm a 'Dopamine addict' addict ! This song is so sickkk ! 🧡🧡

@scastellanos7923

2y↑4

Stayed up late for this, can't sleep and it was worth it 😭🙌

@CommKommando

2y↑2

What an angelic voice. Like a beautiful baby

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