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I cried :(
So sad. I really liked him a lot! :(
Wow, it's hard to believe.
Sad, a great actor.
Nothing sad or tragic about this. He was a junky and had the means to get help, he decided on the needle. I have more empathy for the addicts who don't have access to millions and the best rehab you can buy.
Yes, it is true that he had money and fame and a lot of resources, opportunities and access that a lot of people dont. but having fame and fortune doesnt mean you cant suffer just as much as the next person, he was clearly very troubled, as every addict is, no matter their station in life. i dont think being rich/famous negates being human and being able to suffer just as much as the next person. hell, WE are all filthy rich compared to the people in 3rd world countries who are literally, but that doesnt mean our suffering doesnt count for anything. i have a lot of empathy for any human being who suffers, i dont see it as "oh they are rich they have no right to feel sorry for themselves"
No, it's sad, as it for all struggling with an addiction, it's a disease and not necessarily a character flaw. A few years from now there will be genetic tests to determine who is at risk for addiction to opiates, alcohol etc. This has nothing to do with a lack of character or being evil despite what the fundamentalist religious types would have you believe.
I didn't even know he did drugs. I've seen a few of his movies and he was a good actor! We lose all these stars in their prime because of addiction. I'm on the fence since I've tried drugs a few times and NEVER been addicted. I come from a family of addicts( sister, aunt, uncle) father( only alcohol). I never succumbed to it. I did start to drink in excess a bit when my dad died but it's never at home. Weird. Non the less it's still sad to lose anyone young in life. Whatever the means, cause...
I gotta say I am in agreement w/ Bone on this. The article I read said he had done smtg like 10 days of rehab -- that is not nearly enough time to get solidly, physically clean & get your head straight. My beef w/ stories like this is when the person (whoever it is, famous or no) does not reach out for the help they need. Like so many addicts, PSH had a family. Their actions do not just affect them.
. a lot of people are so far gone and their brains actually re-wire themselves when you let your addiction go for too long. it is a mental illness, very sad.
but the guy had kids, which should have been enough reason to quit in any sane persons mind, i do get that too.
People who feel despair are at their most vulnerable, their thinking about their own self worth is so distorted that "reaching out", if its even on their radar, is an insurmountable concept. These are people in mental illness and depression who often view themselves as a burden to the world and those around them.
Look beyond the money to the person inside.
I stand by my statement. If an addict truly wants to beat his addiction he will take the steps needed to do so. If the person is a recovering addict they need to setup their support network and use it when they feel the urges come back. They have to take responsibility for it. Addicts never finish rehab, it has to be a continuing process for the rest of their lives, one they must actively engage in. That is why i laugh at these celebs who check in for a few weeks and come out saying they are cured.
^ I come from a family full of addicts. I do not believe it's genetic but I do believe you are a product of your environment.
Environment yes but here's a paper on the genetics of addiction:
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publicatio...12/111-118.pdf
So because you are genetically susceptible you do not have to take responsibility for your own actions? If anything that should make you take even greater care of yourself. I'm very happy we are making these discoveries and hope they lead to better prevention and treatment methods, but that doesn't change one simple fact, an addict needs to want to get better before they do get better.
^ I think Sarah101 and Bone are both right in the sense that it can be genetic and that rehab doesn't end at rehab (the urges remain and its the addicts responsibility to go to meetings/follow up with treatment).
Bone, its the apparent lack of empathy in your comment "Its not sad or tragic he's a junkie" that I think has riled feathers here. Each addicts struggle is their own with a unique set of circumstances but underlying common themes of low self worth, disconnect from the world, inability to manage their emotions. A lot of addicts are children emotionally, having an expectation that children will get it right the first time (or even subsequent times after that) is unrealistic.
Besides, relapse is part of recovery. In this case unfortunately, using killed a human being. Addicts know that the next time they use may be the last time.
Yeah I get that, it stems from how others are reacting and calling this such a tragic loss and a waste because PSH was a good actor. Do they have the same feelings about the homeless guy on the street addicted to the same thing? If PSH wasn't an actor no one would know. He had advantages the vast majority of addicts do not. That is where the real tragedy lays. He had the means, he chose differently. My hope is his death brings about meaningful change.
yes. Addicts not being able to overcome their addiction is sad regardless what career they might have. These people are sick, they need care and support.
Addicts aren't in the right mindset to make clear decisions. They're suffering. You can't make a decent choice when you're either high or going through withdrawal. Just because he had more money doesn't mean he was mentally up to helping himself. You clearly know nothing about addiction, as previously stated by someone else here ::)
Alcoholism "runs in the family" and I have naturally high resistances to pain meds. I had the pleasure of withdrawals after hitting the legally allowed limits after an accident and resulting blood infection. I had to follow up with several months of steroid therapy to help reset my immune system from being so badly out of whack. All told it took about 3 1/2 years to get a clean bill of health. To this day I refuse pain meds whenever they are optional. Not a road I want to go down again.
"Boogie Nights" - great movie!
^ Omg! I forgot he was in that! One of my favorite movies! I always wanted to be roller girl at the club. Lol, the skating stripper!
I have been an addict so I suppose that will always make me an addict. At least that's what I learned during the meetings. Many of us here seem to have an understanding of what it's like to have "issues". It's more than willpower. It becomes a chemical change that affects your every move. Addictions can bring the strongest and the wealthiest people to their knees. It's the only scenario that I know of where race,religion,and financial status is not a factor. When you want to get high you will bond with anyone who's got the stuff and hangout in the lowest of places when it takes over. Wealthy people can prolong the end without appearing ugly and doing ugly things publicly. That doesn't mean they aren't getting dirty. I can empathize with PSH and have his loved ones in my prayers. Been there and seen that. Anyways I wanted to share a clip with you guys. Some of you may not need it. But I suspect there are those who could benefit from watching it. Just to get some perspective. It's also a clip about team building and positive circles. A vital necessity when you want to make changes. It's not that long. It gives a breakdown on the chemicals and dopamine addictions.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/...=2855568388001