First published on 14 Feb 2012. Updated on 14 Feb 2012.
As another shooting star falls, a pattern emerges from the ashes of our most recent drug-related celebrity mortality. Licit substances and the “comeback nudge” appear to be the common factors contributing to the demise of the once god-like and untouchable (see Jackson, Winehouse & Houston et al). Most media consumers want their celebs gritty or tortured or drug-addled or wearing sunglasses at night – whilst simultaneously retaining a modicum of lucidity, enabling them to top their last Grammy Award-winning platter. The reality, unfortunately, is it often doesn’t pan out that way.
Celebs are a lot like us mere mortals. We share a strong physiological resemblance (mostly) and we both exist along a continuum somewhere between the vulnerable and the seemingly invincible. When celebs make that transition from recreational party-fun-times to problematic or dependent use, the media microscope under which they once thrived quickly morphs into a magnifying glass.
Redemption is at hand, then, through prescription drugs. But the licit path is not without its pitfalls. This is evidenced through Winehouse’s toxicology report, which revealed that a blood alcohol level of .416 (a snifter above what’s considered a potentially lethal dose) was the main offender. Houston’s alleged prescription medication stockpile, meanwhile, contained all the colours of the benzodiazepine [a class of drugs often used to treat anxiety and alcohol withdrawal] rainbow. But as a society we find the prescribed drugs and alcohol combination easier to accept. There is no injecting in the neck or crack pipes jutting from toothless frowns, and besides, we all enjoy a drink and get depressed/anxious at some point.
Bunged together in a concomitant “cocktail”, alcohol and benzos are a recipe for overdose as both are powerful central nervous system depressants. But it’s not as easy as just stopping. Significant risk exists amongst heavily dependent individuals, due to seizure in withdrawal, or overdose post-withdrawal from reduced tolerance.
Placing substances upon a moral or subjective gradient only serves to reinforce false public perceptions around severity of addiction, whereby dependent or problematic use of licit substances is assigned the “addiction-lite” label. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth – and no matter what your status, reality is a great leveller. Making a comeback is a stressful time, but that extra nudge to numb often proves to be a nudge too far.
Geoff Corbett is a dual diagnosis clinician and performs in rock’n’roll band SixFtHick
Subscribe to our Spotify playlists
Newsletter
RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Google+
Spotify
Foursquare
iPhone App
Other Time Out cities
Magazine subscription
Print
Email