Celebrities and Substance Abuse: Lindsay Lohan
It is often hard for the population to understand why someone who appears to have it all, would let it go for the next hit or to feed an addiction. Time and again, however, the airwaves are full of news on the latest celebrity drug bust or drunk driving incident. After the news of the first incident, subsequent reports are likely to follow and in some cases, a death is reported. In the case of Lindsay Lohan, she is still among the living, but friends fear it may not be for long.
Reports of odd behavior first emerged in 2007 when Lohan was arrested for a DUI and cocaine possession. While it was not her first problem, it definitely made front page news. She pleaded with media to leave her alone, claiming she was innocent. Police reports, however, showed her blood alcohol level to be .13 - the legal limit is .08 and also that cocaine was in her purse, clearly indicating she was at least guilty of a DUI and possession.
When this incident occurred, Lohan had just finished a 46-day rehabilitation program. Seven months prior to that stay, she spent treatment in another center and had been vocal about attendance at meetings for Alcohol Anonymous. She was willing to admit she had a problem, but not as willing to admit she couldn’t overcome it on her own. Most people who have recovered from addiction will tell you, they had to want it for it to work - a program doesn't fix you, you have to be willing to change your behavior.
Move up to 2010 and Lohan’s problems seem to be as intense as ever. The girl who was once hailed for her acting is having a hard time keeping it together. At the same time, she refuses to listen to those closest to her begging her to slow down. In 2007, she made it public that she believed her life had become completely unmanageable due to her drug and alcohol addictions.
Even with the actress admitting her own problems, it doesn’t seem to curb her behavior. One report featured in an Associated Content piece told of erratic behavior and attitude that had some close to her considering forced treatment for her substance abuse problems. Close friends and family believe that an intervention may be the only thing that can save her from a rapid downward spiral from which she may never emerge.
At the age of 23, Lohan can still turn her life in a positive direction and take advantage of opportunities. As she continues to fight her own addiction demons, however, her lifestyle could prove to have too much of a hold on her choices. An intervention could provide an opportunity for recovery, but until Lohan decides to clean up and take the necessary steps to recover, there may be little hope.
Now that Lohan has done jail time, the hope is that this was a real wake-up call. She is now in court-mandated treatment, and has another opportunity to embrace the lifestyle changes she will need to make to stay clean.
