Where did the phrase, "monkey on your back" come from?

Answer 1

In the West, we sometimes hear the phrase “having a monkey on one's back.” Not surprisingly, the earliest documented use of this phrase comes from ancient Kemet (Egypt). The first light of the monkey myth begins with a powerful man who not only deeply influenced the beliefs of ancient Kemet but went on to have a profound impact on the philosophy, language and mysticism found in ancient Greece and Rome.

In ancient Egypt, apes (long-tailed monkeys and especially caped baboons) were respected; Nubian tribes had to provide them as tribute, and it was said ... that they understood human speech and could learn better than many schoolchildren. Thoth (Djhuty), the god of wisdom, though usually portrayed with the head of an ibis, also appears as an old white caped baboon, sitting behind a scribe and overseeing his transcription of important texts.1

Answer 2

We can now call it addiction to something. To get it off involves therapy and or if you can fathom self healing and realization. Family also is a huge part The previous answerer's answer is where the phrase originated. HEY, sorry if this offends, but did you see the movie 12 monkeys? Scared the heebeegeebees out of me!