JULY 25, 2011 1:58PM

An Addicts Perspective on Amy Winehouse

Rate: 14 Flag

I have heard and read posts and magazines etc. about the death of Amy Winehouse  and disagree with most of them .It seems there is a general consenses that this tragedy could have been avoided and she  should not have said no no no to rehab.

Here is the deal .Addicts don't always have a choice when their addiction grabs them by the throat and doesn't let them go until they are dead.

You can put addicts on 72 hour psychiatric holds theough the District Attorneys office if you feel they are in life threatening danger.Any citizen can request this .Sometimes this is successful  as a jump start,but frequently addicts and alcoholics  who are encouraged to go to rehab after that refuse. That is their addiction talking.

It is a common misconception that addicts of any kind ,including food addicts have control over their disease. Sometime there is willingness to take steps towards recovery ..a 12 Step Program ..rehab.. but if the willingness isn't there,  they will probably die an early death like Amy.

 It is the same for food addiction.How many of you have read my blogs and commented on your own problems with food addiction and have not been able to break the cycle with your own unsteady willpower?Are you all too weak to get it under control .Am I? No.Addicts have  shown tremendous willpower in many areas of their life and are frequently very sucessful.They have managed  on all levels except managing their addiction. 

The worst rate of  rising addiction in America is food addiction and  thousands of   people die from obesity related diseases every single day.Frequently their friends or family can't help them because they suffer from the same addicton.

 Instead of being angry that Amy couldn't have pulled it together and taken herself off  her path of destruction,I feel sadness for her and her family.But I feel angry at our government who is doing little to nothing to protect our children and ourselves from the addiction of eating ourselves to death.

If you know someone suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction refer them  or better yet take them to Alcololic or Narcotics Anonymous.Take your friends out to coffee who are obese and tell them that you fear for their lives and take them to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting . Be compassionate.Listen.Give encouragment .Save a life today.

Rest in Peace Amy.

 

 

Author tags:

amy winehouse, food addiction, compulsive eating, 12 step recovery programs

Your tags:

TIP:

Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Recipient's email address:
Personal message (optional):

Your email address:
Cancel

Comments

Type your comment below:
Cancel
I hear ya- the judgemental minds out there all criticize the addict regardless of vice- these voices have not been touched by addiction- should they ever fall to it's grip- their judgements will be quelled
Hayley Rose
July 25, 2011 02:53 PM
I have had this addiction for 60 years. It just is not going to change.
I know how overwhelmed she felt.
HUGGGGGGGGGG
Linda Seccaspina
July 25, 2011 03:52 PM
I totally agree. Any addiction is a problem one way or another and those who suffer are usually vulnerable, sensitive souls who find life difficult, as I believe Amy did. My own addictions will no doubt kill me too, but I still bury my head in the sand.

I'm pretty sure many of those who feel no sympathy take risks with their health one way or another. I'm a firm believer in walking that mile in another's shoes before judging.
Linda Cooper
July 25, 2011 06:47 PM
Like I've told others, for rehab to work, the person needs to want the help, needs to want to get better, otherwise, most time, it's just throwing gasoline on the fire!!
Tinkerertink69
July 25, 2011 07:05 PM
It's good to read a compassionate post like this after the pompous one. Thank you verrry much. May all those who lost their life young famous or not RIP.
blufeather
July 25, 2011 07:07 PM
Excellent perspective and advice. Thanks for this.
Jeff L. Howe
July 25, 2011 07:28 PM
I appreciated hearing your perspective. I also agree that someone deep in their addiction often does not have the capacity to make decisions. I still consider Amy's passing to be tragic, while not completely unexpected.
lschmoopie
July 25, 2011 07:37 PM
Nicely put. Thanks.
grif -
July 25, 2011 08:23 PM
Addiction of every sort are far more difficult to manage than anyone understands. It's not a character flaw or a moral failing. I'm just sad that she didn't live long enough to, perhaps, outlive the demons keeping her from seeking help in her struggle. For a lot of addicts, age does bring wisdom, and the "cures" (inadequate as they are) are more likely to take hold at 37 than 27.
Bellwether Vance
July 25, 2011 08:52 PM
One small correction. In AMERICA you can have a person put into the hospital for a 72 hour evaluation for being a dancer to themselves or others, but in England, being a drug addict (or alcoholic) is not cause for them to be sectioned under their Mental Health Act. Her father tried.
Kathryn O'Hehir
July 25, 2011 09:07 PM
oops: danger, not dancer : {
Kathryn O'Hehir
July 25, 2011 09:08 PM
Some people just die from their addictions no matter what. It seems sad but in a way it is the path they were on and life keeps moving along. I know this seems heartless but battling food addiction myself I realize it is just my journey. Sometimes if people interfere it makes me worse. I just lost my friend to alcohol addiction. He couldn't stop drinking. I am glad his life is over as he just wanted to be left in peace with his alcohol. It was not my job to save him from himself. Amy was a tremendous force of nature like we all are and I can only be glad that she sang as much as she did. It was terrible to watch her implode. Life is oh so fragile and sometimes watching someone self destruct makes other people stop on their own. Rambling here but you got me thinking about it all. Great post.
zanelle
July 25, 2011 10:14 PM
Well-stated. An addiction is an addiction is an addiction.
mypsyche
July 25, 2011 11:21 PM
Hayley ..yes ..the cast the stone thing would apply to most people ,because the majority of people have some sort of addiction .
LindaS..Soooo tough I know .There is still hop Huggggggg
Linda C..NOOOOO dont think your addictions will kill you !! I'll support you any way I can.Just ask xoxo
Tink..Sometimes you can want help but not want help at the same time though .Just a tiny window of willingness is all we need sometimes to get through.
blufeather ..I soooo agree RIP ..that is a powerful few words that everyone deserves .
Maurene..sooo true I never thought of it like that ..a battle with your brain and those new damn neural pathways ..soo hard
Jeff..your welcome .
ischmoopie..Sooo tragic yes....even if it was expected ,by many.
Grif ..thank you
Belle..I do agree sometimes its easier at 37,but then we forget again at 47 ..it's a process that is for sure .
Kate ..Thanks for pointing that out .I was hoping you wouldn't correct that ..I loved it "a dancer to themselves "
Zanelle ..soooo true .Sometimes it is a person's path .But I can't believe they would choose that path if the two choices were given them,with out having to do the work..sometimes we just don't have willingness ..we can't seen to draw from it ...it is soo complicated.I know what you mean about the addiction is worse sometimes if people push you .It is a fine fine line there.I totally get that .xoxo
mypsyche ..That says it all .
diary of a food addict
July 28, 2011 12:37 PM