When you turn on your favorite song or watch your favorite movie or even see a picture on a magazine waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store there is always something about some substance use. Whether it’s your favorite artist singing about drinking or even using illicit substances,watching your favorite actor or actress participate in alcohol abuse or using illicit substances, or seeing someone famous our partying with drinks in their hand. The lifestyle of the rich and famous flaunts alcohol addiction and it is well known that celebrities become afflicted with addiction just as us normal folk. Even if these celebrities don’t become addicted they can still abuse substances and knowing someone is maintaining their fame and fortune and abusing substances then why can’t everybody?
Music, Addiction & Children
Many musical groups and singers, write or sing songs about substance use and participate in abuse. Rock and roll and the bands are associated with the “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” mantra. Many parents become upset when the singers their children listen to grow up into adults and start abusing substances and singing about topics they do not want their children knowing about such as “Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus).” There are many other child stars who have been notably criticized by their younger fans protective parents and for good reason. The more children are exposed to this kind of behavior the more they begin to participate in it themselves. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended a ban on all tobacco advertising in all media, limitations on alcohol advertising, and avoiding exposure of young children to substance-related (tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, illegal drugs) content. Many advertisements and depictions of these substances being used show happy people feeling better after using the substance, which puts the idea that no wrong can happen, which is a lie. Other musicians and singers flaunt their substances habits such as drinking on stage, singing about the abuse, or posting pictures with paraphernalia on their social media.
Glamorizing Addiction on Television
Many TV series and movies have started to glamorize the abuse of substances as well. Popular shows like Breaking Bad, House, Nurse Jackie, Weeds, Queen of the South, and many others show addicts and dealers as the hero or sympathetic role models. Breaking Bad is a show about a high school chemistry teacher who gets diagnosed with cancer and begins making methamphetamine to sell to pay for his treatment. House is about a diagnostics doctor who abuses painkillers. Nurse Jackie is about a nurse who is also a mother, wife, and friend who cannot give up her addiction to painkillers. Weeds is about a single mother growing and selling weed with her kids to make ends meet. Queen of the South is about a woman who is trying to stay alive after her drug running boyfriend is murdered by the cartel but ends up starting her own drug empire and becomes very wealthy. All of these shows have received exceptional reviews and had many seasons meaning that many people were watching. The fans of the Breaking Bad have no idea the true horrors of meth use. Showing the addiction to prescription drugs that can be taken legally in a sympathetic way can be damaging because it is still addiction and can lead to addiction to heroin and even death. There are movies that do the same thing and even target a younger crowd. Movies like Superbad, Project X, The Wolf of Wall Street, the “Friday” movies, Pineapple Express, and many others show similar roles. In movies like Superbad and Project X, teenagers in search of popularity host parties with different substances. Showing these people as heroes or in sympathetic roles can be damaging for viewers. Athletes, performers, musicians and actors that are often in the public eye may not realize that their choices may influence others. Watching or hearing about their choices or just watching the reinforced glamorization and sympathy may lead viewers to choose to abuse substances as well because it worked in the fictional world of whichever show.
Celebrity & Addiction
There are some people who feel that the constant exposure to substance use can be a teaching opportunity. They believe it is a chance to talk to their children about the dangers of substance abuse. For those who are older seeing the actors being arrested, admitted to hospitals, rehab treatment centers, or even dying from overdoses like Heath Ledger, Amy Winehouse, and others. While it is important to talk to children about the effects and dangers of using substances doesn’t mean they should be constantly exposed to it. Many adults who face addiction began experimenting in their adolescent or younger years. Since there is no chance to get the glamorization of addiction out of the media we need to make sure that children are taught the dangers of substance use and abuse. It is also important to inform adults who may not know or understand all the dangers especially of prescription drugs or new drugs being made and sold. We also need to inform people of the dangers of abusing substances especially for those with mental health disorders. If the media isn’t going to show the truth then it is up to us as individuals, families, and communities to get the truth out there for others to know. It is up to us to keep our families, friends, and communities safe.
Getting Help for Addiction
If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, substance abuse or other mental health issues help is available. Recovery Ways, the premier Murray, Utah drug rehab, can assist in finding the best drug rehab options available. Our admissions coordinators are available 24/7 to assist and help verify your insurance benefits. If you’re ready to make a change contact us here or call 1-888-986-7848
