A brief look at the latest list of rock casualties isn't exactly a sparkling advert for the rock and roll lifestyle. In the past month the Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean has been admitted to rehab suffering from alcohol addiction. Catatonia's Cerys Matthews is also in a clinic suffering from drugs dependency while Metallica's James Hetfield is suffering from alcohol-related problems. And Mariah Carey is currently in hospital after a reported suicide attempt! Add to that a list of stars who are constantly battling their addictions - Robbie and alcohol - Geri and bulimia - and you can see that this pop star lark is hardly a stroll in the park.

Harry Shapiro, author of a recent book, Waiting For The Man - The Story Of Drugs In Popular Music, now works as an adviser for public drugs information service Drugscope. He told worldpop that the pressure on boy bands and girl bands to always be bright and beautiful whatever they feel like, can take its toll. While rock bands says Harry, often turn to drugs because of the tedium and routine of touring. 'Problems arise because artists need a creative temperament to succeed but they're in a mercenary business that really doesn't care if they can't cut it,' explains Harry. 'Artists can be temperamental, they need that to be creative but that can also lead to paranoia and insecurity. Novelists can hide away in a room and write but pop stars constantly have to perform in front of thousands of people.

They're just ordinary people put under incredible pressure and surrounded by lackeys who provide chauffeurs, chefs and everything they need. Their life isn't their own. Bundle all this up together and it's not surprising that many stars succumb to drugs.' Harry adds that while public sympathy for pop stars addicted to drugs is often lacking, it doesn't always harm their image. 'If you look at Robbie Williams, his addiction to drink and drugs fitted in with the whole Loaded magazine generation.

Bands like S Club 7 suffered after their brush with drugs but there comes a time when many of those teen pop bands become tired of appealing to very young fans and want to grow up but they find they can't. It can be frustrating.' An Alcohol Concern spokeswoman told worldpop that success at an early age for many pop bands puts unbelievable pressure on them. 'Socialising plays a key role in a celebrity's life style and they're constantly in the spotlight. It's not surprising they turn to alcohol to help them cope with their way of life but then their problems are highlighted by the media which puts them under even more pressure,' said Lisa Leonard of Alcohol Concern. Harry Shapiro agrees that the media can often exacerbate a celebrity's problems. 'Some celebrities are targeted by the authorities because of the headlines they know they'll attract,' he says. 'I have a feeling that the Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. is being targeted by the LA police simply because they know his arrest will attract press. The police are out to make a name for themselves. Back in the '60s, Beatle John Lennon was arrested for drugs but the police phoned the newspapers beforehand to tell them they'd be making the arrest.' Five member Jay Brown told worldpop that the band understand the pressures of drugs and alcohol better than most people 'The lifestyle takes its toll,' says Jay, 'and you don't see your family and friends for months. Yes, you fly around the world but you're surrounded by pretentious people who don't really care about you as a person. You're just a commodity to the record company. We've all been through our own turmoil in the band and we can completely empathise with AJ from the Backstreet Boys. We know what he must be going through.