Celebrities are not special people. They are ordinary individuals in special circumstances. There is a great deal of pressure placed upon these folks and quite often the expectations are overwhelming. Fame is a double edged sword. Ask anyone who has experienced it on a grand scale for an extended period of time. Just living life and dealing with real life events is held up to public scrutiny. The good and bad times are fodder for the media. Nothing is sacred and very little is private.
Lots of people self-medicate. When we overindulge, we make fools of ourselves. Embarrassing memories pile up so we indulge even more to try and forget. Partying becomes a habit. There are fewer and fewer people who can keep up. Friends and family begin to mention their concern. That's when the self esteem begins to deteriorate and self-loathing starts to take hold. Now comes the isolation.
That's basically
what happens with your garden variety alcoholic or drug abuser.
When you’re a celebrity all that muck, shame, embarrassment, humiliation, and
destruction is played out live for the whole world to view and critique. No amount of money and people shouting out your name as they take your picture is worth that. And that's the price that's paid for fame.
It's hard enough being famous without having a chemical problem, or any addiction (the more sordid the better). Just going out to eat dinner with your loved ones or doing something as menial as grocery shopping is stressful, at the very least. It's not unreasonable to think that a person would need a couple of good stiff drinks or a shot just to go out in public. And that's an easy rut to get stuck in, and it progresses to more and more.
How do I know all this? I grew up in and around and surrounded by the Hollywoood Machine. I know how fickle the Industry is and how those who are in the Business are dependent upon others for their very livelihood. Celebrities are at the top of that list. There's a lot riding upon the shoulders of a very select few. That's also why it can be so difficult to stay true to oneself and ones recovery. There's always plenty of opportunity to fall back into the old, all too familiar ways.
So, if you're in need of a sober companion, someone who's unscathed by an individual who just happens to be well known, give me a call. You literally couldn't pay me to forego sobriety, nor could anyone pay me for you to forego yours. It's great to live life on life's terms.
