Lady Gaga, Boy George and Drug Addiction
Lady Gaga recently spoke to Rolling Stone magazine about her drug use and abuse during the early days of her career when she was a struggling musician in New York. She said that despite her binges in the past, she continues to use drugs occasionally, saying: “I won’t lie; it’s occasional. And when I say occasional, I mean maybe a couple of times a year.”
This comment has everyone talking. What exactly does “occasional” mean in practice? Is she an addict in denial? Why would she even say something like that?
Boy George Blogs About Gaga and Drug Addiction
Boy George, famously addicted to heroin during his Culture Club days, is one of many who have decided to call Gaga out on her drug use comments.
His primary concern seems to be, why now? Why would she say these things unless there was something bigger happening? Says George:
“If Lady Gaga were about to be exposed as a drug user I would understand her recent confession… that she is an ‘occasional’ coke sniffer. But why offer up this information on a whim? Could it be that her use of coke is not so ‘occasional?’ As a recovering addict who knows how dangerous ‘occasional’ use is, I can think of no reason for Gaga to reveal this to her young audience.”
The Effect of Celebrity Drug Abuse on Kids
There’s no doubt about it: most of Lady Gaga’s fans are girls between the ages of 14 and 21. How do comments like the one she made about her cocaine abuse affect young girls?
The problem with offhand comments about drug abuse is that it makes it seem like anyone can experiment or use drugs like cocaine occasionally without any repercussions. Few are more successful than Lady Gaga; it doesn’t appear on the surface that her drug abuse harmed her in any way. Young girls may see her success and hear her confession and think, “Maybe there’s no reason why I can’t try it too.”
Sad Reality of Cocaine Abuse and Addiction
Though it is true that there are people who can use a drug once or twice without becoming addicts, for many, this is not the case. The result of a drug addiction that requires treatment at a drug rehab facility often starts with a young girl or boy thinking, “It won’t hurt me to just try it.” This justification can quickly turn into, “It’s okay if I just do it occasionally.” The rapid degradation of experimentation into full blown addiction can be blindingly fast. Watching a loved one linger on the line between drug abuse and addiction can be heartbreaking for family members.
If you or someone you love is abusing drugs or alcohol and you would like them to get help, call The Orchid today. We can provide you with the information you need to determine whether or not the time has come to take action and enroll your loved one in drug and alcohol rehab.