The Damaging Effects of the Celebrity Drug Culture

Why Are Our Celebrities So Exhausted? Celebrity exhaustion has now reached epidemic proportions. It seems every day or so, we hear news that another one of our stars has been checked into some fancy hospital after suffering a sudden bout of extreme fatigue. If we don’t act quickly, we could be facing a world where our favorite entertainers are lined up in hospital beds across the country taking emergency naps. Of course, anyone with half a brain knows that in the world of celebrities, the word

Why Are Our Celebrities So Exhausted?

Celebrity exhaustion has now reached epidemic proportions. It seems every day or so, we hear news that another one of our stars has been checked into some fancy hospital after suffering a sudden bout of extreme fatigue. If we don’t act quickly, we could be facing a world where our favorite entertainers are lined up in hospital beds across the country taking emergency naps. Of course, anyone with half a brain knows that in the world of celebrities, the word exhaustion is usually meant to cover up the fact that a certain individual has come crashing down from some sort of booze and alcohol fueled bender.

Public Image

If your job is to be a publicist for a celebrity, what sounds better? Joe Celebrity was recently taken to a Hollywood hospital for exhaustion, or Joe Celebrity was taken to a Hollywood hospital after a 48 hour cocaine snorting, vodka-Redbull chugging, Xanax popping marathon. It is a publicist’s job to make sure that their client is always portrayed in the most positive light, and no matter what their actual behavior is, it is never fully disclosed to the public. Unfortunately, celebrities know this fact all too well.

Celebrity Culture

It is no secret that we live in a society that is obsessed with fame. We want to envision celebrities having lives that we can only dream of. It is a celebrity publicist’s duty to ensure that they portray that fantasy through their client. No one dreams of waking up in a pile of their own vomit, surrounded by empty prescription pill bottles, and cigarette butts at the Beverly Hills Hilton. We only want to see these stars in the most positive light so that we can aspire to be like them. Not only is this an insane way of thinking for us regular folks, but it is extremely dangerous thinking for people with certain levels of fame, as well.

Examples

Just in the past few months, there have been a disturbing number of celebrities who have had to cancel events or performances because exhaustion is the reason they cannot fulfill their obligations. Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Lindsay Lohan, Mariah Carey, Eminem and others are just a few examples of celebrities who have had to let down fans to treat their fatigue?. The strange thing is, everyone knows what is actually going on with these people, yet we continue to give them the benefit of the doubt. We have seen countless cases in the past few years of untimely celebrity deaths that were the direct result of a hectic schedule, combined with an addiction to alcohol or drugs. The fact that we act surprised when people like Amy Winehouse or Whitney Houston die is a stunning testament to our collective denial.

Apparently, these celebrities suffer from a type of exhaustion that a good night’s sleep is just no match for. These stars are constantly attending premiers, parties, public appearances, and other obligations. It is not to suggest that they do not live a hectic and busy lifestyle. They surely do, and I cannot fathom how trying it may be to fulfill all of these obligations while under the glaring spotlight of national scrutiny. This is why it is not at all surprising that many celebrities cut loose with drugs or alcohol. However, when you are surrounded by a group of people that constantly tell you how great you are, and that never say no, it is hard to tell when you are getting out of control until it is too late. We should not accept the exhaustion card anymore. We need to start holding their managers more accountable, because I, for one, am exhausted of hearing about celebrities dying from preventable causes. If a celebrity has a drug or alcohol problem, it is incumbent on those around them to get them help from First Step Recovery Centers?