Thoughts on Amy Winehouse...

I just heard about her passing this morning...
http://npr.org/2011/07/23/138639971/singer-amy-winehouse-found-dead

Another artist passed at age 27. Makes me sad. The specter of addiction has taken so many wonderful people from us.

Recovery has become a spectator sport. Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, Lil' Wayne wearing a "fuck rehab" shirt on-stage, and now Amy Winehouse. We have shows like "Intervention," "Celebrity Rehab," "Sober House" and more that allow us to mock people who are suffering, or simply indulge our own voyeurism. The trainwreck that we simply "can't turn away from."

I wish people understood that recovery is about so much more than simply letting go of our own vices. It's about learning how to really live, perhaps for the first time. It's about learning how to cope with life's ups-and-downs on your own, without a crutch.

Perhaps if humanity's focus was on treatment, healing and reconciliation, rather than on prohibition and incarceration - we might be able to do some good.

For now, recovery remains a haphazard process at based - a process mired by misinformation and superstition, rather than bolstered by biology, science, and rational thought. I don't attempt to downplay the role that 12-step programs have played in my own recovery, but if you think that all addicts will get well through 12-step work alone, you're deceiving yourself.

For now, I leave you with some lyrics to Amy Winehouse's own song, "Rehab"...

"The man said 'why do you think you here'
I said 'I got no idea
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
so I always keep a bottle near'
He said 'I just think you're depressed,
this me, yeah baby, and the rest'

They tried to make me go to rehab but I said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know

I don't ever wanna drink again
I just ooh I just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
have everyone think I'm on the mend

It's not just my pride
It's just 'til these tears have dried"

-JG

Lane Garrison from "Prison Break" Begins Speaking Out About Manslaughter Imprisonment

I've been in recovery now for almost a year and a half, and certainly made my share of horrible decisions prior to that. I was very fortunate that in the end, everything turned out alright. Better than alright, even.

Which is why I count my blessings when I read things like this:
http://inquisitr.com/104383/lane-garrison-begins-speaking-out-about-manslaughter-imprisonment/

I find myself having nightmares at least once a week about all the turmoil I caused myself and everyone else. I don't know how I'd be able to live with a death on my conscience.

Edie Falco Sobriety Helped Battle Cancer | Parade.com

Cool article on Edie Falco (I'm a BIG Nurse Jackie fan) and A.A.

Edie Falco Sobriety Helped Battle Cancer | Parade.com