Why do so Many Celebrities Struggle With Addiction?

For generations, TV and film fans in places like Escondido, Calif., have watched in dismay as their favorite stars and starlets have succumbed to drug overdoses or killed themselves with alcohol. Just last year Phillip Seymour Hoffman died of a drug overdose. This year Scott Weiland was the one to die. Many pundits are left glumly wondering which famous celebrity will be the next to fall prey to drugs and alcohol.

Drug rehab centers in places like Escondido have helped thousands of former addicts find stability and control in their lives. They’ve seen many celebrities as well. Some, like Robert Downey Jr., are able to overcome their problems and live happy, successful lives. Others, like Amy Winehouse, are never quite willing to kick their habits, despite the best support from rehab centers.

What is it that makes celebrities so vulnerable? Are they truly more likely to suffer from addiction than the normal population? The answers have to do with the celebrity lifestyle, as well as the way that human beings deal with stressful situations.

“For celebrities and high-profile individuals, being under the microscope 24/7 and trying to maintain and project an aura of perfection and success can sometimes be too difficult to handle,” said John Tslimparis, a doctor and drug rehab expert in an article for the Huffington Post. “Once the connection is made that drugs or alcohol can provide them some temporary relief, they may continue to do it despite knowing the negative consequences.”

Celebrities put up with things that private citizens in Escondido would never dream of. Their lives are a constant media circus, and the pressure to perform can easily drive some to abusing dangerous or illegal substances. In this sense, celebrities are definitely more likely to abuse drugs than the average population.

Another problem for celebrities is the lack of accountability many face. If a truck driver or bartender in Escondido is caught with illegal drugs, he stands to lose not only his job, but also his credibility. When actors or musicians confess to having an addiction, they seldom face the same consequences. Drug rehab centers treat both normal people and celebrities, but a stint in treatment usually costs less in every way for those who are famous. 

Addiction is a very serious problem in places like Escondido—one that often gets swept under the rug. Perhaps one of the reasons why celebrities always seem to be struggling is because they’re less able to hide the effects in their lives. In every town in America, ordinary people quietly suffer from substance abuse—but drug rehab centers offer hope to all who accept treatment.

Tanner Wadsworth is a health writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Miramar Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers. Follow on Twitter.