Lady Gaga is a pop star quite popular in the UK with some of her songs reaching number one. She has a life of celebrity status and a story common to quite a few in the music world. She has a history of cocaine addiction by her own admission.
It is advantageous to youth today that a celebrity will come right out on her own and tell her story despite objections from her label and publicist. She can perhaps let young people know that no one is perfect, if there is a drug problem seek help from your parents or a counselor. Honesty from a pop star such as Lady Gaga could help more teenagers by bringing a positive reinforcement to the drug problems of today, letting our young people know they can receive help.
On the other hand, it does seem rather simplistic, the way Lady Gaga states she overcame her cocaine addiction problem. For those truly immersed in the world of drug addiction, it really isn’t so easy as simply having your parent look at you and say “you’re screwing up” (paraphrased) and then you say to yourself “oh yeah, well I will just stop right now” (again paraphrased).
One also wonders if a cocaine addiction is really and truly over when she openly admits that not only does she drink but she “parties”. What does that mean in the world of pop culture today? We hope that double standards do not apply here for the truth is, one has either beaten an addiction or not. If you “party” meaning you use drugs, then you are not really “clean”, are you? However, party could mean something entirely different and innocent, such as simply staying up half the night listening to music and talking and dancing with friends without the use of any drugs whatsoever.
So perhaps we should give her the benefit of the doubt. If she can present herself as a positive role model status for younger people to fight an addiction problem, then she deserves kudos. The fact that Lady Gaga openly admits to the cocaine addiction can be a positive step for teens around the world to seek help. That she is willing to openly speak of it despite what management around her says tells this writer that she may even be material for a book or could make a wonderful spokesperson for those who help young people fight drug addiction.
Cocaine use and addiction has been around for centuries. With wonderful rehabilitation centers around to help overcome the addiction to cocaine and other drugs, people can strive to win out over it and move on to healthy and productive lives. Cocaine does not discriminate. You try it, you keep at it, you can get addicted. Rich or poor, black or white, blue collar or running for President of the United States. Barack Obama let the cat out of his own bag when he confessed his cocaine use in a memoir he wrote following law school: Dreams of My Father.
Let us not forget that there have been other men in the White House who have admitted to drug use when the question was asked. Some made light of it such as Clinton. George W. Bush admitted stuff he did as a kid and considered his college years part of that time. They both went on to make both good and bad decisions in the hot seat but so has every man who sat there.
As to whether Obama was addicted or not, it seems his use must have been quite minimal because it is easy to become addicted to cocaine. His legal drug of choice is smoking cigarettes, a habit that has always seemed ironic to non-smokers. It is legal to smoke yet second-hand smoke can be deadly.
Obama made light of his cocaine use on the Jay Leno show. When asked the Clinton-shadowed question: “did you inhale?” he said “that was the point.” Still, it would be a wise and beneficial move by our current President if he would take his experiences with cocaine and use them to teach our young people how to stay away from all drugs. As it is, he seems to be the poster boy for having a beer on the lawn and smoking so maybe not.
However, none of us are perfect and if the President has only these two vices and can maintain the integrity of his position, kudos to him. He obviously is not a cocaine addict or he could not function in the day to day responsibilities faced by the powerful head of the U.S. It does lead one to wonder just what his actual cocaine use consisted of. A moment in time perhaps, faced with peer pressure at a party? Whatever the answer, perhaps young people can see that mistakes in the past can be corrected and they can have their spot in bringing good into the lives of others.
Although there are many types of addictions, there is one that has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. That is cocaine addiction. This particular drug is also among the most difficult to kick, although it can be done and life is no doubt richer once the drug is out of the addict’s life.
Cocaine addiction has a rapid onset. The very first use feels so good that the addict spends the rest of their time trying to get that same high. There is no doubt about it, at first, the high feels fantastic. Unfortunately, as the addiction gets worse, it gets harder and harder to get that same incredible high. Cocaine not only has the capabilities of speed, but also gives a euphoric feeling that is extremely addictive.
Cocaine is a drug that is very difficult to rid the body of. It’s not just the pleasant feelings of the drug that must be dealt with, but also changes such as an increased heart rate and other conditions that are caused from cocaine. Addiction to cocaine happens very rapidly. What may start out as a casual drug use soon becomes the most important thing in the world to the addict. All of their money is usually spent trying to reach that next high.
There are some signs cocaine addicts do display. They will be upbeat and have energy until they start to come down from the drug and then they will be moody and irritable. Eventually, they will begin to want the drug first thing when they wake up and will go to any length to ensure they have it. They always try to have a personal stash so there is always some available.
The best way to treat cocaine addiction is with a holistic approach. Treating the mind, spirit and body generally means a greater chance of success beating the addiction. There are ways to naturally rid the body of the need for cocaine and a long term treatment center is best. Sending people back to their old environment before they are truly rehabilitated causes relapse. Cocaine addiction is very hard to beat; but it can be done. There have been methods proven to be successful. Treatment is only a phone call away and there is a happier life at the other end of that phone conversation. It only takes one step at a time to become drug and alcohol free.
