corresponding soundtrack had put immense pressure on her career and her personal life. By 1996, she said she was lacing marijuana with cocaine and using every day. One in 10 Americans suffer from addiction, yet only 11 percent seek treatment. Many believe, as Houston did, that addiction is a controllable disease. In 2002, during the infamous “crack is whack” interview with Diane Sawyer, Houston admitted not only to her prior drug use, but that she still partied on occasion. Despite going through rehab twice in years prior, she told Oprah Winfrey in 2009 that she had never had a problem with alcohol, insinuating that it was okay for her to drink because she wasn’t addicted to alcohol. So why couldn’t she stop? Because she never really quit. According to a study by the Mayo Clinic, physical addiction occurs when a drug changes the way your brain feels pleasure. After repeated use, the drug changes nerve cells in your brain and these changes can remain even after drug use has stopped. The good news is that the National Institute on Drug Abuse has found that the brain can make a recovery, but it takes time and abstinence from any and all drugs. Many performers have successfully stayed sober including musician Eric Clapton, comedian Craig Ferguson and actor Gerard Butler. Butler was treated for alcohol abuse, but after being injured on the set of a movie, he was prescribed painkillers. He recognized that like alcohol, he was quickly becoming addicted to this new drug and sought treatment through rehab before it got out of hand. Butler has since stayed clean and sober. What Butler recognized was that although he had retrained his brain by spending time with more healthy habits, a drug can trigger a relapse. Had Houston understood that, she might still be alive today. Researchers have also found that having a supportive social network aids in strengthening new habits and helps to resist relapsing. Like so many entertainers, Houston was a megastar, so she was surrounded by people who admired her, and she feared rejection. They were seemingly unwilling to give her the tough love she needed to recover. The message to receive in all of this is that addiction is conquerable and help is readily available. There are over 10,000 addiction rehabilitation centers in the United States alone. Many health plans provide coverage for treatment but because drug abuse and addiction are major public health problems, and 44
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many centers are funded by local, state, and federal governments. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline is a 24-hour/365day-a-year free and confidential information service, for individuals and family members facing addiction disorders. It provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations as well as free publications and other information. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the online treatment locators. Although her troubles have slightly tarnished her memory, we should never forget that Houston left behind a legacy of music and movies that show the gift she truly had. She also reminds us drug addiction can affect anyone, anytime at any income level. The good news is there is help for everyone who suffers. The first step is deciding to make the change. Q