Over the weekend, “Rehab” chanteuse Amy Winehouse was found dead in her home in London of causes that, as of this post, have not been determined. Over the last several years, fans around the world have watched as Amy struggled, attending numerous drug rehab centers. Sometimes she bounced back for a spell and it looked like everything was going to be okay. Then she would be in the news again, suffering the incomprehensible demoralization every addict knows, and doing it in the public eye.
Today, Russell Brand published a beautiful article in U.K. paper, The Guardian, about his friendship with Winehouse and his own experience with addiction, drug and alcohol rehab centers and sobriety. We thought we’d share a couple of powerful excerpts on our blog here, but you can read the full article here. Brand says:
“Addiction is a serious disease; it will end with jail, mental institutions or death. I was 27 years old when through the friendship and help of Chip Somers of the treatment centre Focus 12 I found recovery. Through Focus I was introduced to support fellowships for alcoholics and drug addicts that are very easy to find and open to anybody with a desire to stop drinking and without which I would not be alive.”
“When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call. The sincere hope is that the call will be from the addict themselves, telling you they’ve had enough, that they’re ready to stop, ready to try something new. Of course though, you fear the other call, the sad nocturnal chime from a friend or relative telling you it’s too late, she’s gone.”
If you’re having problems with drugs and alcohol, please understand that there are professionals at rehab centers in Los Angeles and all over the world who are there to help you go through the drug addiction detox, get sober and stay sober one day at a time. Let the call that your loved ones get be the one Russell Brand talks about, the one where you call them saying you have had enough.