This just in - Amy Winehouse has a drug addiction.  No, this probably isn’t news to anyone now.  Her troubles have been documented all over the tabloids and entertainment news shows for the last several months.  This is certainly not a gossip blog by any means, no “insider report” here, just a professional’s opinion on a woman suffering and stretching her limits.  Let’s take a closer look for a moment at her situation - let’s look at her compassionately as a woman with an addiction. 

A Woman In Pain Who Chooses Drugs

Amy’s addictions and mental health problems are signs of some pretty serious pain.  Her dad seems to speak about her and on her behalf quite often.  Sometimes with concern, sometimes with optimism.  Even though they seem to be on good terms, it probably wasn’t always that way. 

It’s pretty well know that Amy had some tough things happen while growing up.   Her parents divorced when she was young allegedly because of her father’s affair with another woman.  Imagine what a young girl begins to believe about her own female identity when she sees her dad having his cake and eating it too.  So Amy grows up seeing her family fall apart, having less of her dad in her life than she needed, and having no good way to manage all the pain.  Not every woman with this emotional pathway becomes addicted to drugs, but it seems this is what happened with Amy. 

Since she obviously has immense musical talent, she eventually channeled a lot of her emotions into her music.  The combination of creativity, talent, and serious emotional angst often makes for powerful performances by musicians and actors.  However, this outlet hasn’t been enough to keep her from falling into the negative patterns that typically haunt someone with a drug addiction.

Choosing Men and Friends Who Use Drugs

She has had a tumultuous relationship with her husband.  Reportedly, she has been violent with him when she’s been drunk.  As you would guess, he’s also had trouble with drugs.  If she were in a more healthy state of mind with healthy habits, she may not be so willing to keep an impulsive guy with a marijuana problem around as a boyfriend, much less a husband. 

Amy’s dad also refers to some “bad friends” that he hopes she avoids so she doesn’t fall back into her addictive habits.  However, she has recently been seen in photos drinking a glass of wine while on stage.  Even though she went to drug rehab back in January and got cleaned up for the Grammy’s, it begs the question of whether she’s totally on the straight and narrow. 

Vulnerable To Relapse and Health Problems

As an internationally-known acclaimed musical performer, she most likely has a vigorous and exhausting schedule.  She is currently without the daily contact and presence of her husband (who is behind bars on drug charges).  She is often miles away from the stability and comfort of her home, adjusting constantly to new surroundings and the scrutiny of others.  She’s also recently had health problems at a young age, reportedly linked to her drug use.  When you take away the glitz of what she does for a living, the situation seems fraught with red flags for addiction relapse. 

It is heartbreaking when public figures struggle with addictions and mental health problems with everyone watching.  It is my hope that Amy truly gets the help and stability she needs before she falls apart on the world’s stage.  Most women with addiction struggle in a great deal of isolation.  If any part of Amy’s story mirrors your life or seems like a woman you know, it may be time to consider drug rehab.  The Orchid Recovery Center for Women offers hope for any woman needing drug or alcohol rehab - no need to be a celebrity.

Tags: Amy Winehouse, Amy Winehouse A Woman With Rehab In Her Life, Drug Rehab

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This entry was posted on Saturday, July 19th, 2008 at 11:06 pm and is filed under Alcohol Rehab, Drug Rehab, Women and Addiction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.