The topics of addiction and celebrities go hand in hand. Due to the excessive drug and alcohol use by celebrities over the course of time, it’s not really surprising when you hear the latest gossip surrounding a celebrity checking into rehab. With so many celebrities admitting to having addictions, you can’t help but wonder whether or not celebrities are prone to these addictions.
When you think about it, celebrities being prone to addiction is a sensible logic. Celebrities have a very different way of getting satisfaction. An average person can get a natural rush when they perform well at work, finish an intense workout or even win a 5k race. Musicians, on the other hand, get an enormous rush and sense of satisfaction when they perform and hundreds of thousands of their fans come out to support them.
It’s after the performance is over and the rush goes away that the musician is left with somewhat of an empty feeling. In order to fill that void, it’s all too common for a musician to look to drugs or alcohol, especially when these substances are pushed on them.
We live in a time where drinking and doing drugs is almost the norm, and those who don’t give into these temptations are actually looked at as outcasts. The different messages sent out by the media have had a huge impact on this cultural view. With teenagers looking up to their favorite actors and actresses and seeing them go out and party, it skews their views of what they think they should be doing.
The list of distinguished celebrities who have fallen victim to addiction is long and extensive. Celebrities have either worked through their addictions, some are still in recovery, some have ruined their careers due to their problems and some have lost the battle completely.
Many celebrities who suffer from addiction were first introduced to drugs and alcohol at a very young age. Child stars are famous for their talent and skills mastered during their youth, and they’re also famous for developing addictions. Drew Barrymore, Corey Haim, Lindsay Lohan and Jodie Sweetin are just a few of the many stars that grew up in front of the camera and landed themselves in rehab later on.
Child stars who end up with addictions in many cases turn to drugs because they lack a substantial circle of people who genuinely care about them and spend quality time with them. This is common with even non-celebrities who don’t receive the love and nurturing that is necessary for a child. When right from wrong is never established and everyone around you is doing something, a child won’t know that it’s a harmful and dangerous habit, they’ll just learn that it feels good and fills the void.
Another reason why celebrities are more prone to addiction is because they have the means to do so. With any drug they’d like at their fingertips and the income to support the habit, self-control is the only thing that stands between a celebrity and addiction, but is that enough?
Celebrities will forever be under scrutiny for the way they live their lives, from what they wear to who they’re dating. The temptation to do drugs and drink alcohol is something that will always be present, but what sets those who suffer from addictions from those who don’t is self-control and simply the ability to say no.
Jessica Tanning is a freelance writer focusing on addictions. The topic hits close to home for her since she’s had a family member struggling with addiction for over 10 years at Delray Recovery Center.