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Original poster

To have little sympathy with celebrities with their addictions?

84 replies

Talldaisy13 · 30/03/2026 15:50

This isn’t about anyone in particular. Just that there are so many celebrities with drug and alcohol problems and they end up ruining not only their own lives but the lives of others.

I know that money and status doesn’t mean you are exempt from mental health problems. But there’s so much navel gazing and some seem to have no self awareness.

I’ve had close family members with addictions and although I understand that it’s supposed to be an illness, I’ve found that they blame everyone else for their problems and destroy everyone around them.

I probably feel the same about anyone but with celebrities it seems even worse when they have the means to get help and have lives others can only dream of.

OP posts:
Original poster
Talldaisy13 · 30/03/2026 20:39

youalright · 30/03/2026 20:36

People who are judging addicts need to look at their own lives their phone use, caffeine, sugar food, shopping, gaming, work, sex. Not every addiction is alcohol and drugs and most people are addicted to something whether they realise it or not.

Not everyone is addicted to something. Plenty of people are able to self regulate.

Also, having a few too many coffees is no where near comparable to substance abuse.

OP posts:
youalright · 30/03/2026 20:36

People who are judging addicts need to look at their own lives their phone use, caffeine, sugar food, shopping, gaming, work, sex. Not every addiction is alcohol and drugs and most people are addicted to something whether they realise it or not.

Blimms · 30/03/2026 20:35

OP, you have a very black and white way of thinking. I don’t think you want to even try and understand.

Can I ask why you posted this in ‘Am I Being Unreasonable’?

Original poster
Talldaisy13 · 30/03/2026 20:30

People can say addicts don’t choose that path.

But we all as humans have choices. We know that drugs, alcohol, gambling can be very addictive and harmful. You have a choice.

I know a woman whose mother died very young of an alcohol related illness, the woman man has ended up an addict herself. She has 3 children, she knows the pain and damage it can cause.

OP posts:
scoobysnaxx · 30/03/2026 20:29

HisNotHes · 30/03/2026 16:54

Drug addiction I have very little sympathy for, whoever you are. Everyone knows it’s a bad idea to take drugs in the first place. No one starts taking drugs without knowing they’re dangerous.

How exceptionally ignorant! You clearly know NOTHING about the complexities of addiction.

Original poster
Talldaisy13 · 30/03/2026 20:25

Blimms · 30/03/2026 20:20

So you think celebrities don’t experience trauma, sexual abuse, mental health issues, family breakdowns, death of loved ones ones etc? You think their money shelters them from that?

And, do really think anyone wakes up one morning and decides “Today I’ll work on losing my career, my children, my family, my home, and everyone who matters to me”?

That they’d willingly choose a path that tears their life apart piece by piece? No one chooses that.

And for every bit of pain their family feels watching it happen, and yes that is immense, the person living through addiction is carrying even more, buried under it, often in ways no one else can see

Show quote history

I didn’t say that, did I?

Many, many people suffer in their lives and go through us h terrible things. There is never an excuse to abuse substances.

I think very often there is a certain type of person that chooses to go down that road. Selfish, reckless, irresponsible, self destructive.

Also, don’t have children if you can’t put them first.

OP posts:
StripedVase · 30/03/2026 20:22

Celebrity doesn't make life easier. It's pretty well documented that it tends to make things very difficult for many who experience it, even if they thought they wanted it. Being in the public eye, especially if it starts when someone is very young - being in desperately insecure and unpredictable industries that can involve public adulation and public hatred - being constantly judged by strangers - these might not be excuses for poor behaviour, but they are particular pressures, about which one can choose to be somewhat compassionate.

Blimms · 30/03/2026 20:20

Talldaisy13 · 30/03/2026 20:16

The reason I mention celebrities specifically is because yes, many of them are extremely wealthy.

They have the means to choose the lifestyle they want, they don’t face the same problems that everyday folk face and yet they often do terrible things and still get an outpouring of sympathy.

And yes I struggle to feel sorry for any addict. It’s a choice.

It might not be a choice once you’re well and truly hooked but it’s a choice to take drugs and drink to excess in the first place.

In my experience it’s usually a certain type of person that becomes an addict .

So you think celebrities don’t experience trauma, sexual abuse, mental health issues, family breakdowns, death of loved ones ones etc? You think their money shelters them from that?

And, do really think anyone wakes up one morning and decides “Today I’ll work on losing my career, my children, my family, my home, and everyone who matters to me”?

That they’d willingly choose a path that tears their life apart piece by piece? No one chooses that.

And for every bit of pain their family feels watching it happen, and yes that is immense, the person living through addiction is carrying even more, buried under it, often in ways no one else can see

Original poster
Talldaisy13 · 30/03/2026 20:16

The reason I mention celebrities specifically is because yes, many of them are extremely wealthy.

They have the means to choose the lifestyle they want, they don’t face the same problems that everyday folk face and yet they often do terrible things and still get an outpouring of sympathy.

And yes I struggle to feel sorry for any addict. It’s a choice.

It might not be a choice once you’re well and truly hooked but it’s a choice to take drugs and drink to excess in the first place.

In my experience it’s usually a certain type of person that becomes an addict .

OP posts:
Riapia · 30/03/2026 20:11

There are no intentional alcoholics.
There are no ex alcoholics.
Plea try to understand this.

Blimms · 30/03/2026 20:02

Gloriia · 30/03/2026 19:42

They are all manipulative, deluded and like to play the victim. All of them.
<it isn't an illness it's a compulsion that causes illnesses like liver disease>.

Edited
Show quote history

You’re wrong, but I’m not going to keep going around in circles with you.

youalright · 30/03/2026 19:44

HisNotHes · 30/03/2026 16:54

Drug addiction I have very little sympathy for, whoever you are. Everyone knows it’s a bad idea to take drugs in the first place. No one starts taking drugs without knowing they’re dangerous.

What if its prescription drugs?

Gloriia · 30/03/2026 19:42

Blimms · 30/03/2026 19:40

Like any group, people struggling with addiction are not all the same and don’t behave in one fixed way. Some may lie or become manipulative, but that often comes from the illness rather than who they truly are. Many others don’t behave like that at all.

I am speaking from personal and professional experience.

My DM was kind, caring and one of the most compassionate people I have met. But she was also a functioning alcoholic for much of my childhood, although it is not something I was aware of as a child.

Show quote history

They are all manipulative, deluded and like to play the victim. All of them.
<it isn't an illness it's a compulsion that causes illnesses like liver disease>.

Blimms · 30/03/2026 19:40

Gloriia · 30/03/2026 19:20

I don't know. We've probably all encountered addicts and without exception they are liars, destructive, deluded, manipulative and that's being kind.

Think it's something we can make sweeping generalisations about.

Show quote history

Like any group, people struggling with addiction are not all the same and don’t behave in one fixed way. Some may lie or become manipulative, but that often comes from the illness rather than who they truly are. Many others don’t behave like that at all.

I am speaking from personal and professional experience.

My DM was kind, caring and one of the most compassionate people I have met. But she was also a functioning alcoholic for much of my childhood, although it is not something I was aware of as a child.

NoSoupForU · 30/03/2026 19:35

Gloriia · 30/03/2026 18:46

'Aside from my husband, I can guarantee that absolutely no one in my life knew I was drinking 200+ units of alcohol a week. I was going to work in a very prestigious job. My kids are well put together'

With respect and meant kindly if you were drinking 200+ units a week your kids will have been affected massively you were perhaps too drunk to notice. Other people will have known, of course they will have.

Good on getting it under control now though. Keep it up.

Dunno about the kids, but other people wouldn't have "of course known". It's a couple of bottles of wine a night. I wouldn't know if anyone in my life was drinking a couple of bottles of wine a night.

NoSoupForU · 30/03/2026 19:31

Nobody in their right head would actively choose to be an addict. I have every empathy for people who are gripped by addiction regardless of how famous they are or aren't.

Mymanyellow · 30/03/2026 19:30

Gloriia · 30/03/2026 18:46

'Aside from my husband, I can guarantee that absolutely no one in my life knew I was drinking 200+ units of alcohol a week. I was going to work in a very prestigious job. My kids are well put together'

With respect and meant kindly if you were drinking 200+ units a week your kids will have been affected massively you were perhaps too drunk to notice. Other people will have known, of course they will have.

Good on getting it under control now though. Keep it up.

I agree 200 units a week? I think a lot of people would have suspected if not known for sure.

bumptybum · 30/03/2026 19:29

Why celebrities? Not all celebrities are wealthy. And plenty of non celebrities are wealthy.

don’t you mean ‘wealthy people’ rather than celebrities? Or do you specifically dislike celebrities?

2026tricks · 30/03/2026 19:26

Ant McPartlin springs to mind. Gets caught drink driving, says he has a problem and everyone praises him for getting clean.

Never mind the fact he could have wiped out a whole family driving whilst drunk.

YerMotherWasAHamster · 30/03/2026 19:22

I think it starts as part of a party lifestyle then by the time they realise they have a problem, it's already too late. Just like every addict, I presume.

likelysuspect · 30/03/2026 19:21

Talldaisy13 · 30/03/2026 16:03

I have a certain amount of sympathy, but more so for the families of the person.

If Sarah from a council estate went on heroin and gets her kids taken into care, people just thing she’s a scumbag, if Dave from the nice area gambles and boozes and loses his family home and life savings, people think he’s a right loser.

But when celebrities do it everyone seems to feel so sorry for them.

I thank my lucky stars that I was never introduced to coke or heroin AND that Im not famous

Either one of those situations would be disasterous, let alone the combination.

Gloriia · 30/03/2026 19:20

Blimms · 30/03/2026 18:57

Yes. But at the same time that person should be able to acknowledge that they are not knowledgeable enough to make sweeping generalisations about whole groups of people.

Edited
Show quote history

I don't know. We've probably all encountered addicts and without exception they are liars, destructive, deluded, manipulative and that's being kind.

Think it's something we can make sweeping generalisations about.

WalkDontWalk · 30/03/2026 19:18

Talldaisy13 · 30/03/2026 16:03

I have a certain amount of sympathy, but more so for the families of the person.

If Sarah from a council estate went on heroin and gets her kids taken into care, people just thing she’s a scumbag, if Dave from the nice area gambles and boozes and loses his family home and life savings, people think he’s a right loser.

But when celebrities do it everyone seems to feel so sorry for them.

You don’t feel sorry for Sarah?

Blimms · 30/03/2026 18:57

Gloriia · 30/03/2026 18:55

That tends to be how opinions are formed, through experience.

Show quote history

Yes. But at the same time that person should be able to acknowledge that they are not knowledgeable enough to make sweeping generalisations about whole groups of people.

Gloriia · 30/03/2026 18:55

Blimms · 30/03/2026 18:52

So you’re basing your opinions of several people who you know?

Show quote history

That tends to be how opinions are formed, through experience.

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