Lindsey Lohan has to hit bottom.
I've been reading a lot of blogs and forums, and watching tv entertainment rags, since she got busted the other day, and every one has something to say about it and her.
Everyone has their own idea to save Lindsey.
Lindsey has to save herself.
I am a former drug user and alcoholic. I spent a good part of my late teens blitzed to the gills.
I drank, I smoked, I toked, I snorted, I partied hard, and lived fast and free.
I had to hit bottom and I did.
There's the sudden realization that all that partying is going to kill you when you wake up one morning and cough up a mouthful of blood.
You can rinse your mouth out, but the next day, you cough it up again.
And again, and again, and again, until you finally get hit with a clue by four, that you are killing yourself.
I chose rehab on my own, and when the docs did their little tests and xrays and mris and shit, I was shocked to see a liver severely damaged.
Did I do that? I laughed.
They didn't laugh back.
Rehab was a bitch for me. It was tough, I fought the system. I didn't want their 12 steps, I didn't want their higher power at all.
I laughed at the 12 steps and the higher power bullshit they were telling me I had to do.
I wanted science and facts, give me evidence of what I've been doing, don't just tell me to let go and let god, I won't do it.
I had one cool counselor there who got me, he understood the logical me and gave me what I asked for, what I needed to get through all the AA crap I was being forced to recite.
In our private counseling sessions, he gave me the facts I needed to read, the things that would open my eyes.
He gave me something to help me get through the mandatory noon and nightly AA meetings held at the hospital I was at.
Water.
Not actual water, but a sense of waters power.
He asked me to be like water.
He explained it and I got it. I got to keep my identity and my lack of faith, and survive the public meetings.
Every addict has to hit their bottom.
On their own.
You can't force an addict into treatment, you can't make them see what they are doing.
They have to come to that realization themselves.
You can want it for them all you want, but it's up to them to hit, and hit hard.
If you make them go before they hit, they will relapse again and again, and that is what has happened to Lindsey.
People, family, judges, telling her she has to do it. She wasn't ready.
Maybe after this she will be, who knows.
When it's time for her to hit, she will, and when that happens, Lindsey will get clean.
And sorry to all those who want to force clean on her, it won't happen until she's ready.
Comments
I believe that most of the people who make the snide remarks about people like Lindsey, have no experience with addiction. They don't realize that it's not as easy as they think. It is a horrible, wretched disease and you are 100% right to point out that no one can save her from addiction. She has to save herself. I would imagine that in many ways it is even more difficult for addicts who live in the public eye to recover than it is for the average Joe. Celebs are surrounded by people who want to bask in the glow of their fame. People who kiss their asses and yes them to death. I am no fan of Lindsey Lohan or Britney Spears or any of these girls, but I do wish them the best. I hope they come to their senses and truly get the help they need sooner rather than later or worse, not at all. I'm sorry for taking over your comments, but I have many people in my life who struggle with addiction and I get tired of hearing holier than thou opinions on the subject. As always, thanks for your honesty, Kat.
Posted by: Brandi | July 26, 2007 10:27 AM
I think there is a serious need for rehab programs that are NOT religion based, as the 12 step program is. I think that maybe more people would be willing to get help if they knew that no god or religion would be shoved up their asses.
And yeah...Lindsay Lohan has to help herself. Being ordered to go to rehab NEVER works. In the world of baseball, I remember Darryl Strawberry. He had so much potential to be a Hall of Famer, but he blew it all up his nose. He was given so many chances to clean up his act, but he didn't want to, and finally, a stint in jail cost him his career for good. I think he's finally cleaned up now, but way too late to save his career, and he'll never be the Hall of Famer he could have been.
I wonder if he thinks about what could have been.
I think that these highly paid celebs think that their money and high-priced lawyers will get them out of trouble every time. But all of the money in the world won't save someone who dies in a sleazy motel from an overdose.
Posted by: Christine | July 26, 2007 11:15 AM
What a great post. Thanks for sharing that story with us, seriously.
Posted by: Mr. Fabulous | July 26, 2007 1:22 PM
I just hope she gets her shit together. If not, she's going to end up killing someone with all the drinking/drugging and driving she does.
Posted by: Devilish Southern Belle | July 26, 2007 4:44 PM