Parenting

Sunday, December 6, 2009

What not to do when your child has an addiction

Getty Images

Getty Images

Amy Winehouse used to joke about rehab, but her addictions are no laughing matter. As the public is well aware, the singer has been a complete mess for the past few years and could not get well. Her ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, got her hooked on drugs and she had a severe eating disorder. At first her parents were in denial and stood up for her, claiming she had no substance abuse problems. Then the ignored the issue. Finally her father did something quite desperate: he faked a heart attack in an attempt to scare her off heroin.

“I was at my wits end," says Mitch Winehouse. "I just didn’t know which way to turn. I’d tried everything. Once I even started screaming and said I was having a heart attack, but it didn’t work. Amy’s not stupid and she wanted to see my medical records proving I was actually ill... got our doctor to tell Amy that I was dying."

Last summer Amy often stayed in her bedroom. Her father claims fans even threw drugs up to her window for her. Finally he brought in a security team and she agreed to go to a clinic. But several months later her ex broke out of rehab himself to visit her and she relapse. Blake called her constantly and her dad says he had to take the batteries out of her phone to keep him away from her.

“I was incandescent," says her father. "Someone who wanted to get clean reunited with her junkie husband. But since then she hasn’t looked back.” Her father claims Amy's lengthy trip to St. Lucia took her away from all the drugs and bad influences and supposedly she quit drugs. “One of the conditions for her American visa is that she’s drug free,” he says. “The tests were taken by the doctor who reports to the US Embassy and they’ve come back negative. It’s not me being a deluded father – the truth is there for all to see. Nine months ago she wasn’t coherent. But now she doesn’t binge on chocolate like she used to. She’s no longer bulimic. She’s healthy."

We're relieved to hear that and hope it's all true, but we think it is slightly deluded for Amy's father to think she's all better. He says security will remove her from bad situations, but Winehouse has to want to be sober herself. And she needs all the help she can get. [Mirror]
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Comments 1-7 of 7
  • garcia's Avatar
    Posted by garcia Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:08pm PDT

    overcoming addiction is about taking control of your life. everyones different-it took my kids to change my life after doing coke and crank for 6 years. maybe she needs a huge blow to her life to help her put thngs into perspective. There is hope for everyone and everyone deserves another chance at redemption. Addiction is a disease-straight up...your not in your right mind what so ever and your choices are compromised. Whatever it is that helps her and all the others suffering from addiction out there one day, just know its hard as hell to quit but more than worth it. I say everyday that my kids saved my life-and I owe it to them to be here 100%.

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  • Roger L's Avatar
    Posted by Roger L Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:33pm PDT

    As a father who had a daughter who was using for over 30 years, believe me I can feel your pain. The one thing I found is that there is always hope. My daughter is now been clean for over 5 years and now in her late 40's is ready to graduate from a university with a BA and is already working in drug counseling. I always had hope and knew that any day she could turn her life around. We can only hope that our daughters stay clean.

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  • kelly F's Avatar
    Posted by kelly F Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:52pm PDT

    I think it's great she's staying clean,addiction is a deadly, terrible disease.It must be fought with vigilance and it can be overcome.

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  • Robyn's Avatar
    Posted by Robyn Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:45am PDT

    often you cant do anything until their ready, as a child of 2 drug addicts my grandparents were their to take me out of the BAD situations.... fighting, parties, ect be there for you grandkids as much as possible but do not fall into the trap of being manipulated by the users, it took my mom till i was 8 years old to be clean ( that about 12 if not more years of drug and alcohol abuse). tell the truth to both and NEVER sugarcoat anything towards the users they need a slap of reality. it takes time but keep faith

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  • GGonUES's Avatar
    Posted by GGonUES Sat Aug 1, 2009 6:58pm PDT

    Joannna Douglas is the last person I would take advice from.

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  • princess's Avatar
    Posted by princess Sat Aug 1, 2009 11:33pm PDT

    " athletics_89" I couldn't have it better myself. More power to us! And our kids! :)

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  • Linda W's Avatar
    Posted by Linda W Sat Aug 8, 2009 11:26am PDT

    I love Amy Winehouse's voice. She has such a soulful sound that is really new and fresh. I wish she could get it together, so that she can get back to the studio to make another album. Get it together Amy. I wish her the best of luck.

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