Why drugs?

[Thespeckledkiwi]

I am very curious to know why a lot of celebrities turn to drug use? I know some battle this as youths but most it seems once they get into the money, splurge on drug use? Is there a reason other than it is a recreational hobby? Or that they have an excess amount of wealthy that they cannot spend elsewhere? Alcohol is understandable as it is a social norm but drug use? Or is this more in line with society today but is made more popular due to the fact they are celebrities?

But doesn't it make it slightly worse? I have all of this money, let's splurge it on a bunch of drugs?

 

[RoJoHen]

Alcohol is understandable as it is a social norm but drug use?

I think it starts right here. When you're drunk, you're much more likely to try other kinds of drugs. It doesn't take long before an addiction forms. And if you're famous and don't have money to worry about, you're probably going to be even less inhibited by common sense.

 

[iguana_tonante]

As for many things, the question isn't "why?", but "why not?".

 

[JoeZhang]

Because drugs are a lot of fun - what happens after you start using them on a regular basis is not so much fun but that's always clear at the outset.

The other thing is, of course, you only get to see stories about people who end up in a terrible mess, many people use drugs on a regular basis and are functional normal members of society.

 

[T'Baio]

Because most famous people, by the very virtue of being fame seekers, which generally equals approval seekers, are narcissistic egomaniacs on a power trip, and nothing makes you feel more powerful that a nice good hit of cocaine?

Then there's the opposite drugs, that calm you down, and take the edge off being hounded by press, going to premieres with a million flash bulbs going off in your face, and the knowledge that everything you have can be lost with just one poor performance...so you better nail it, kid.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Money is a factor. When you have ungodly amounts of cash at your disposal, what're you going to spend it on? You can only buy so many Ferraris. For a little bit of dough, you can hit something that washes your troubles away and makes you feel like a god. And once you've gotten used to it, you'll do anything to keep that feeling.

Celebrities feel the intensity of the microscope they're placed under. Their every moves are watched. They have virtually no privacy. We can say that's the price they pay for fame, but it does take a toll.

I do think it is about escape above all else, though. Same reason anyone gets addicted to anything--it's a way of avoiding the troubles in your life, covering them up with something pleasurable.

While it's drug addiction that gets most of the attention, there are plenty of celebrities who are addicted to legal stuff (alcohol), sex, gambling, and other, more "mundane" things. It serves the same purpose. I think it just has to do with what sorts of people you're around when you start falling into despair.

 

[Mary Ann]

Apart from the escapism, it may have something to do with their personality types. The people who seek fame are probably above-average risk takers, and drugs are a risky business and give a harder "hit" than, say, alcohol.

 

[Luckyflux]

WTF! How does anyone know they weren't using them before they became famous. Once you are rich and famous you have access to drugs a million times easier then if you are a regular schmo.

How about they are like most people, got a taste of a drug, liked it, and wanted more of it? Like sex, I tried it, I liked it, I want more of it....

 

[nevermore]

Alcohol is understandable as it is a social norm but drug use?

Drug use is a social norm as well among some demographics, on both ends of the spectrum. Some people use drugs for fun, some do it as a form of self-medicating for various problems, either physical or psychological, and some just like the lifestyle.

 

[ParticleMan]

Also, in some cases it is harder for a celebrity to get off of drugs once they've started thanks to the various "hangers-on" they find themselves surrounded with...I can remember hearing interviews with Dan Ackroyd about trying to get John Belushi cleaned up...but every time Belushi went out in public, some stranger/fan would approach offering him free whatever, just so they could party with Belushi. Ackroyd tried to intervene in those situations, but he couldn't watch Belushi 24-7... I've heard similar stories regarding Chris Farley as well.

 

[paudemge]

How big is the "pool" of celebrities? I would like to know how the percentage of drug using celebrities matches up to the general population.

 

[Joeman]

I have all of this money, let's splurge it on a bunch of drugs?

I've always said that it's a really good thing that I'm not rich and famous. I could totally see myself going down that path.

Drugs make me feel good, and I have an extremely addictive personality, so lots of disposable income and easy availability would make it very tempting. It's never been a mystery to me why so many of those people go that route.

Fortunately for me, I have neither the income nor access, so I'm much better off in this position, obviously.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

Same reason everyone else does drugs. Drugs make you feel good.

 

[Aragorn]

"Don't buy drugs. Become a pop star, and they give you them for free." -- Billy Mack

 

[JustAFriend]

A) Way too much time on their hands.

B) More money than they know what to do with.

C) Way too many handlers/friends/leaches telling them they can do no wrong and getting them out of every little thing until they are 8-balling and puking their windpipes closed.

Any other questions???

 

[Trekker4747]

I am very curious to know why a lot of celebrities turn to drug use? I know some battle this as youths but most it seems once they get into the money, splurge on drug use? Is there a reason other than it is a recreational hobby? Or that they have an excess amount of wealthy that they cannot spend elsewhere? Alcohol is understandable as it is a social norm but drug use? Or is this more in line with society today but is made more popular due to the fact they are celebrities?

But doesn't it make it slightly worse? I have all of this money, let's splurge it on a bunch of drugs?

Why not? It's their bodies they can do whatever they want with them? Why does alcohol get a pass? Or... it's legal.

Ok.

I understand now.