There are endless opinions and conflicting reasons as to why society believes that actors and actresses are more prone to drug & alcohol addiction than the general public. Quite often their issues may go even deeper, such as in the case of co-occurring mental health disorders that that even exacerbate the addiction or alcoholism.
The fact of the matter is that drug and alcohol use runs rampant within the entertainment industry; that comes as no surprise to anyone. How many horror stories have we heard of childhood or adult actors becoming drug users, or musicians dying from any number of overdose combinations? This fast paced, in-the-public-eye type of lifestyle tends to draw in groups of people that incorporate drugs and alcohol into their daily (and nightly) routines. Moreover, however, people with artistic backgrounds and livelihoods are very often accustomed to having drug and alcohol prevalent in and around their lives.
It’s a nasty combination of excess in money, freedom, limelight, extravagance and codependency on the part of those surrounding the actor, musicians, etc. Once the individual begins to truly get a taste of this lifestyle it is simply a matter of human nature to want it more. How could they not? Here they have such popularity, freedom and financial means, and now all of a sudden the euphoria of their drug or alcohol of choice at the snap of a finger. It would take a very strong individual to recognize the potential slippery slope of this behavior and actively squash it, while still maintaining a lifestyle that is conducive to the betterment of their career. Virtually impossible!
People who live a very high-end, upscale type of lifestyle are often used to getting what they want, when they want it. Keeping in mind that we’re all creatures of habit, coupled with the fact that these types of habits are extremely euphoric and inviting, it is very easily seen as to why or how actors, actresses, musicians, etc. so frequently fall into the grips of substance abuse and alcoholism.
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