Celebrity Addiction: I'm not referring to our addiction to all things celebrity, but instead celebrities who have addictions. What is it about the industry that drives them to do so many things in excess? They seem to be attracted to so many things that can be harmful and sometimes even deadly.
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The latest celebrity to hit rehab: High School Musical star Zach Efron. Apparently, this isn't his first time in rehab. This makes his second attempt to get help from his addition to drugs. This is often not something they are doing in the privacy of their own home. Take a look at Miley Cyrus. She recently boasted about her love of marijuana in Rolling Stone magazine and sings about "Dancing with Molly" in her latest song "We Can't Stop". Taking drugs today seems more trendy than taboo.
Recently I spoke with William Oswald, expert in celebrity recovery, about this latest fad. He noted that people (not only celebrities) have voids in their hearts, and the ones that turn to drug usage need to be taught healthier ways to cope with whatever turmoil they are dealing with internally. Sadly, most of the "designer drugs" that are being used, mixed with other substances stand a large chance of being fatal.
Oswald noted that "Zach might not cope well with stress, and feels the need to take something to alleviate it. No doubt, he is subject to stresses that others are not."
Perhaps the constant demands placed on celebrities such as performing before millions, or having your talents evaluated (be it good or bad) can be what drives them to search for relief.
Photo Courtesy of Summit Malibu
It could also be their fluctuating schedules. Working long days for weeks/months at a time, and then long periods of not working and wondering when or if they will work again could be the recipe for trouble. Celebrities find themselves during this lull period with endless amounts of playtime as opposed to regular people who work 9 to 5 have a schedule they need to keep.
Lindsay Lohan has been in and out of rehab numerous times. However, every time she is released she ends up on the wrong path again before long. Dr. Oswald stated rehab only works when the addict fully commits and that it takes time to recover. Unfortunately, most celebrities are pressured to get back to work and end up on the path to nowhere shortly thereafter.
Addiction has resulted in the deaths of numerous celebrities... most before the age of 35. It certainly shows that money and fame are not a cure-all for what ails you. Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Keith Ledger and Cory Monteith are just a few celebrities who died way before their time.
What I find most interesting about it all is celebrity addiction seems to be glamorized, while addiction among "regular" people seems to place them at the bottom of the gene pool.
Why is it society wants to read all about (and sympathize with) their favorite young starlet struggling to clean up their act, while there is rarely a helping hand for their co-worker who has lost their way?