Hollywood and Addiction
Malibu, CA (PRWEB) August 22, 2006
The recent news coverage of Mel Gibson’s outburst in Malibu has generated many attacks on the actor/director. Some people feel that his slander was a deep-seated belief about Jews and others feel as if it was the addiction talking. The world seems polarized and few offer much sympathy to the man.
The American culture loves to put celebrities on pedestals, and then with equal fervor will vilify them when they fall out of favor.
Alesandra Rain, author of “Deeds of Trust,” learned firsthand that many prescription medications were more addictive than illegal drugs or alcohol. “I was prescribed medications for anxiety, insomnia and depression and had no idea how addictive they were,” states Rain. “It led to ten-years of horrific side effects and terrifying withdrawals.” After trying to quit on her own without success, Rain sought help in a treatment center, where she suffered for months. After leaving treatment Rain co-founded Label Me Sane, an organization that assists people worldwide to safely taper off sleeping pills, anxiety medications and antidepressants.
The use of prescription medications has exploded worldwide, but Americans top the list as a drugged country. According to the Psychiatric Times, the annual report by Health, United States, 2004, states, “Prescription drug use is rising among people of all ages, and increases with age. Almost half of those over 18 in the United States are taking at least one prescription medicine, and one in six is taking three or more. These percentages are substantially higher for Americans 65 or older.”
Alcohol and drugs are not new to Hollywood. Over the years we have all watched Robert Downey Jr., and Charlie Sheen struggle with their demons, as well as witnessing photos of Kate Moss acting our her addiction. Michael Jackson left the country after his court case made living in the states unbearable. The public wasn’t aware of his battle with Xanax, until it came to light overseas. Robin Williams, on the other hand, left for treatment as he saw his 20 years of sobriety coming to a close.
Then there was the public’s perception of Colin Farrell’s addiction to painkillers after his back injury. Like Rush Limbaugh and Matthew Perry, the public seemed to view it as a weakness rather than a call for help. Eminem went to treatment after becoming addicted to the sleeping pill Ambien, and was portrayed as another musician who fell into the trap of drugs.
Does the public have a different standard depending on the drug of choice and the affliction? Brooke Shields, Shawn Colvin and Roseanne Barr have all spoken out about their battles with depression or bi-polar disorder and their use of antidepressants and other medications to treat their illness. The world rallied around Brooke Shields when Tom Cruise criticized her for using antidepressants to treat her post-partum depression.
Linda Hamilton appeared on Oprah to give credence to bi-polar disorder and revealed her use of medications. Why is this different in the public’s eye?
Our world has become complicated and with it the use of medications has escalated. Rain, was on a cocktail of medications including Klonopin, Restoril, Ambien, Sinequan, Effexor, Norco and Oxycontin for a decade to treat insomnia, anxiety, depression and pain. She did not doctor shop and took them only as prescribed. Yet she describes her addiction as more horrifying than had she been on heroin or cocaine. “I had no idea that prescription pills could be so addictive,” states Rain. “I really wonder how many millions are caught in the same trap and have no concept that the pills they are taking could leave them facing horrific withdrawals,” claims Rain.
Ironically, many will walk out of treatment with a handful of prescriptions, completely unaware that they could be facing another withdrawal down the road. Rain says this is all too common and for decades one drug has been used to treat the addiction to another. “Anxiety medication is very similar to alcohol yet much more addictive,” claims Rain. “I see all too often how those of us that have chosen pills think it isn’t really the same as drinking or taking illegal drugs, yet we are the ones that spend a much longer period of time in withdrawals. I spent ninety days in a drug and alcohol treatment center and watched people going through alcohol, heroin, crystal methamphetamine and cocaine withdrawals and then leave in the allotted 28 days. It was quite humbling,” states Rain.
For anyone in the entertainment industry, the long hours and travel schedule can certainly wreak havoc on their ability to sleep or live a normal life. How many will turn to a sleeping pill to get the critical rest without awareness that it can cause short term memory loss, thus making it difficult to memorize lines?
When Brooke Shields stated the antidepressant she was taking was difficult to stop, the public offered encouragement. When Jim Carrey quit his Prozac, he was a hero to many and deemed a beacon to living a drug free life.
In her novel, Rain writes of her hallucinations and behavior while on her medications. “If anyone could have heard what was going on in my mind I would have been vilified as well,” Rain says. “I know first hand how we can be altered by a drug and it can completely change our personality and bring many demons to the surface, some real and some imagined.”
The public has a history of revering and condemning those in the spotlight. Maybe its time we all looked in our medicine cabinets before we place judgment on another. We each will face our own actions and errors in judgment, but unlike celebrities, the general public has the opportunity to do it quietly, without public scrutiny.
For more information on Alesandra Rain or Deeds of Trust, go to www.labelmesane.com.
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