Russell Brand, Amy Winehouse and the tragedy of addiction

 

 

 

Until last week I knew nothing about Russell Brand, the person, aside from the usual media tripe about his career and his relationship with Katy Perry.

The little I know about him relates to his appearances in St Trinian's (good film) Forgetting Sarah Marshall (excellent film) and his reputation as a piss-taker.

Example:

"Bob Geldof knows a lot about famine - he's been dining out on ' I Don't Like Mondays' for thirty years."

I was struck by his honesty in the article (below) he wrote on the death of Amy Winehouse. As an ex-addict himself he writes with insight. One line from the article that stood out for me was:

"The priority of any addict is to anaesthetise the pain of living to ease the passage of the day with some purchased relief."

He also describes the wait for the 'phone call that never comes' while watching someone like Amy slowly kill themselves.

Using drugs or alcohol to wipe away pain fits with many addicts I have met (particularly those on heroin or alcohol). Although many other addicts, too, have different reasons for using: boredom, habituation, and nihilism being just three more.

But, as Russell himself writes, anyone can stop an addiction at any time. And if you don't know how you only have to pick up the phone.

I have written about six ways to get ride of an addiction here.

You can read Russell Brand's article on his blog on the link below:

For Amy Winehouse

 

Image by pdama  

Comments

[Krisha]

Admitting an addiction or seeking help is always hard for any type of addiction. Brand's article is is really heartfelt and forthright.