Why do some celebrities self-destruct due to substance abuse?

Substance abuse was more of a symptom.

Performing for audiences on demand is an extremely stressful line of work. Add to that all the traveling to do the performing. Add to that all the pig paparazzi hounding you when you are not performing. Add to that tabloid speculation about anything and everything about your life. Add to that being satirized by SNL, South Park, etc.

Its not amazing that some celebrities do drugs. Its amazing that some don't.

they think they are invinsible. remember whitney said she just had a bad habit - not addicted and that crack is whack...she had money to buy the good stuff.

To have a day off...

they are weak under all that money

I consider everyone a celebrities. These things happen. Human beings have the ability to challenge their existence. No other creature can.

These wealthy famous people, particularly entertainers, have it quite easy when they have made it that big. They get to party all the time (party all the time) hang out, drink, etc. etc. It's like when there is a big game on TV - I like to be around friends and start drinking beer early in the day. Well, for superstars every day is like that. I must admit that I would have trouble taking it down a notch if I had a huge mansion, loads of awesome cars, tons of cash and hot babes all around all the time... In fact just thinking about it makes me want to pour myself a scotch.

Why do some celebrities self-destruct due to substance abuse?

Mostly, because they can.

Why does anyone ?

1) They are under a lot of stress, both for struggling to stay in the top in a fiercely competitive business and for being under the media microscope. 2) They have comparatively more free time than other successful people, that gives you more time to think about all kind of sh*t. 3) They have money, so they can afford it. 4) Entourage. 5) For the creative ones, many find it easier to "fuel" the creativity.

Why do some celebrities self-destruct due to substance abuse?

Is this statement implying substance abuse is not necessarily a path of self-destruction?

combinibento wrote: These wealthy famous people, particularly entertainers, have it quite easy when they have made it that big.

Actually, I think that is a giant misconception that helps lead to substance abuse.

Money makes some things easy. But other life challenges remain the same. Some may even get more complicated. You won't find love easier for being rich. In fact, you might have to work harder to find it, like avoiding gold diggers for example.

Noel Gallagher has said he became a multi-millionaire in 24 hours after the release of Wonderwall. Not citing him as a direct example, but take a 20-something and add lots of cash, then mix that cocktail with easy access to drugs and it's not looking too good, is it? (Depends whether you're that 20-something I suppose - lol).

Keith Richards has said he only survived because he was buying best grade smack. Anything less and he would have been gone long ago. There's a lesson for ya.

Substance abuse was more of a symptom.

Performing for audiences on demand is an extremely stressful line of work. Add to that all the traveling to do the performing. Add to that all the pig paparazzi hounding you when you are not performing. Add to that tabloid speculation about anything and everything about your life. Add to that being satirized by SNL, South Park, etc.

Its not amazing that some celebrities do drugs. Its amazing that some don't.

I agree, it's a symptom. Britney Spears famously self-destructed years ago, but that wasn't because of drugs, it was the built up pressure accumulated from years of being the biggest star in the world, along with all the other stresses of showbusiness, a failing marriage, an abusive tabloid press and possible post-partum depression after having two babies in two years. She just snapped. Her recovery depended on the support system she have around her. Britney was lucky in that her family stepped in (finally) and got a court ordered conservatorship. If it wasn't for that, she probably would have met the same fate as Whitney.

Too much attention to themselves that they forgot the safety net of friends and family.

Britney Spears famously self-destructed years ago

Whitney, Britney, Madonna. I don't know about other folks here but that level of familiarity with American pop culture woud drive me: to substance abuse.

Whitney, Britney, Madonna. I don't know about other folks here but that level of familiarity with American pop culture woud drive me: to substance abuse.

Oh dear, better get some help if pop culture has the power to send you into the spiralling abyss of drug addiction.

because they have the money to abuse expensive drugs and high class liquor.