Amy Winehouse’s parents are working toward creating a foundation to help those who are in the same position that Amy was before she died: fighting drug addiction. While that is in the works, a single recorded by Amy Winehouse and jazz singer Tony Bennett is being released to benefit that charity, according to a spokesperson for Mr. Bennett.

The new single is the classic “Body and Soul” and it’s one of the last pieces of music recorded by Winehouse before she died. All proceeds will go to support the foundation being created by Amy’s parents. In addition to being released as a single, it will also be included in the new collection by Bennett, Duets II, that will be released on September 20.

It was in March that Winehouse recorded the piece of music with Bennett at Abbey Road Studios in London; on July 23, she was found dead in her home in London. The cause of her death is as yet unknown, and no illicit substances were found in her system. Her family says that she had been off of drugs for up to three years when she died but still struggled with alcohol – alcohol was found in her system when she passed.

Honoring Loved Ones

Remembering loved ones who have passed due to an ongoing struggle with drug and alcohol addiction is a one way to create a positive effect out of a horrifying experience – especially when remembering takes the form of helping others. The foundation that Winehouse’s parents are creating in her memory will be a positive way to put Amy’s experience with drugs and alcohol into perspective and use the publicity garnered by her music career, the media attention surrounding her drug and alcohol abuse, and her death to evoke positive change in the world.

Helping an Addict You Love Before It’s Too Late

If someone you care about is living with drug and alcohol addiction or continuing to struggle with recovery despite multiple efforts to kick the habit, a drug and alcohol rehab can help. Here your loved one will not only learn how to stop abusing their drug of choice and get the medical help they need to do so safely, he or she will learn how to better cope with the issues that may be making them feel that addictive abuse of drugs is the answer.

In some cases, it may be an issue with depression or anxiety or it could be an eating disorder or a problem feeling comfortable in social situations. It may be stress over family or romantic relationships or grief over the loss of someone or something. Whatever the cause of the issue, drug and alcohol rehab can provide the patient with the opportunity to begin healing at a foundational level and walk away from the residual issue of addiction.

If you would like to learn more about the addiction treatment services available at The Orchid, contact us today.

Amy Winehouse has famously struggled with a drug addiction that included dependence upon and abuse of heroin, crack and cocaine, among other substances. But she’s worked hard on her sobriety, broken free from the relationship that was keeping her in active addiction and now she’s taking another big step: the singer is getting married.

Since Winehouse divorced Black Fielder-Civil in 2009, she’s been dating British director, Reg Traviss off and on. Now the pair are ready to makie it official and plans are in the works for a ceremony at the end of the year.

Traviss told Britain’s The People newspaper: “Amy and I have been talking about getting married, we are looking to book something very soon. I am thinking of getting something sorted in the next six weeks for the end of the year. I love Amy very much. She’s a wonderful, talented, lovely girl.”

A Different Kind of Comeback

Though Winehouse has been somewhat absent from the music world in the past couple of years, she has not been absent from the media. Everyone has been waiting and watching to see what the controversial singer will do next. What’s she been doing? A little bit of shopping, a little bit of dating, and a lot of staying clean and sober.

All who felt their own experience in Winehouse’s music and lyrics can take heart from her personal turnaround. No longer the star of viral YouTube videos highlighting bad behavior and drug addiction, she proves through action that it is possible to change your life after addiction.

How To Make the Change After Drug Rehab

Making the decision to enter treatment and actually following through are huge in recovery. But holding onto the changes you make and retaining the information that will help you avoid relapse is crucial to a long lasting sobriety. How do you make the change after drug rehab – and make it stick? Here are a few tips:

· Build a strong support network.

· Avoid bars and other places where people are drinking heavily or using drugs.

· Find positive things to focus on.

· Find a job that you enjoy – or at least one that isn’t stressful.

· Go to 12-step meetings, personal therapy, group therapy, yoga, workouts – anything to keep you busy, healthy, happy and clean and sober.

Do you have any tips for avoiding relapse during sobriety? How did you make the change? Do you have any tips to offer?

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.