Matt Willis -Facing Addiction

[MrsPelligrinoPetrichor]

Anyone else watch this, it was really good? It's on iPlayer.

I had no idea how many times he'd relapsed,poor bloke. Can't help thinking going on tour probably isn't a good idea, hope he's going to be ok. With the best will in the world being in a situation where you used all the time is going to be massively triggering.

I've never really liked Emma , always thought she was a bit fake, totally changed my mind , she's clearly been slapping a smile on her face and keeping the family together.

So much respect for both of them for being so open and transparent.

And being completely shallow Matt is completely rocking the beard !

Oh I disagree,I thought he came across as likeable. Makes you wonder if she knows who she married though if he's never been sober before the wedding.

Yes he looks like George Michael 😂

Worrying when he had the brain scan and just seemed desperate for medication/drugs.

Lots of people avoid talking about things in therapy,that didn't surprise me.

What IS he thinking going back on tour?!

I liked him too. He is clearly trying to take accountability for his addiction. He also said the point of the documentary was to show the impact of addiction on family - which it did.

The Wish version perhaps!

I really felt for Emma . She looked truly exhausted by it all. Think she needs some time away too. Poor girl.

I thought it was brilliant and very moving.
I struggle with addition and negative thoughts of self worth and have only just linked them to inner child wounds.
He is very lucky to be in a supportive and loving relationship as most just walk away.

The thing is though that she can't spend time away because she doesn't know what he is going to get up to when she's gone. Every single moment of that tour she will be on edge.

I wondered this.

I have always loved Emma Willis and think she seems so down to earth but I do wonder why on earth she married him and then went on to have children with him knowing the issues he has.

He did say that but it did not convince me. Not in the sense that he was lying, but in the sense that the impact on HIS family hasn't fully sunk in. Emma seems distraught at times and I can't help but think that he doesn't fully understand what it's like for her. It's admirable that she has supported him for so long but I felt shes a bit of a mug too. He puts himself and his touring first.

@PrincessScarlett I was watching and saw that about his childhood. I'm interested in what happened to his parents after he left home and whether he's in touch with either of them/whether they are still alive. To have not seen his brother for four years is quite something.

Agreed @Twatalert

One thing Emma does have is her very own strong family - certainly what I've seen of her midwife show, she seems to have a great relationship with her own mum and family so hopefully she gets strength & support from them.

I agree.

I also watched this tonight and I'm going through reading your comments thinking omg I thought that too!

I did think they were both really likeable! I'm also not convinced he's totally on the path to recovery. He didn't seem to show any remorse or apology towards Emma or the kids for what he has done to their lives. She must be so strong to put up with all that!!

I also thought as a good supportive friend Charlie should not be ordering all that wine. James wasn't bothering with the alcohol. I get the impression James is a really private person so maybe thats why he didn't appear.

I really hope he uses this tour to prove himself and that he can tour without drink and drugs. I've actually got tickets for it and went to their last one - feel a little bit guilty now!

I wonder how long the your is, does anyone know?

I think James lives in America so assumed that's why he wasn't in it

I really hope he uses this tour to prove himself and that he can tour without drink and drugs

It will be incredibly difficult; he'll be surrounded by idiots who'll do their very best to persuade him to 'just have one', 'let your hair down' blah de blah, and sadly I don't think he'll be strong enough to resist. My ex dp was an addict and it was the pressure from others that made him keep going back for more (he's now dead). I was Emma (without the kids) and I know exactly why she stays, but also that she will be living every day with a knot in her stomach, not just when he's on tour.

One of the main things in recovery is to avoid situations where you will be triggered to use, I don't know what he's thinking!

Oh goodness what a sad watch. Truly hope that man can remain sober from now on but why why why on earth would you go on tour again knowing full well that this is your trigger to relapse and you’re clearly setting off with another band member who is planning to drink to excess probably in front of you.
I wanted to shout at the screen and poor Emma seems so cut off from her emotions she’s clearly had to hold so much in to contain him and the family. But Emma please do your own research into hidden harm. The impact of an addict on their family is insidious, toxic and wide reaching. I speak as someone who has been there. At some point you have to draw a line to protect your children and yourself.

I watched it. I am a Busted fan and Matt was always my favourite. I thought he came across well and was honest about therapy. I have done the same in therapy, totally avoided things that I definitely should address (DV, not addiction) but just was not ready to open that box.

The only thing I wished was that Emma could have taken part in the group therapy for people affected by addiction alone rather than Matt being there, so she could have opened up more. She was understandably worried about upsetting him.

I am worried about the tour, but I suppose he is putting this out as an extra incentive to keep himself clean and sober. I was surprised at Charlie’s lack of insight, I had always credited him with more intelligence than that. I find James totally nauseating and immature but at least he doesn’t have alcohol on his rider, showing a bit of solidarity with Matt.

I can’t bear to watch another celebrity wallowing in self pity. They are lucky enough to be able to afford the best treatments. You only have to read a few threads on here to see how much addiction destroys families. I don’t need to see a celebrity documentary

I'm unsure why they want to expose their children to this kind of information being broadcast. Emma always seem so sensible. I don't know why she doesn't say it is the band or us. He is no different from other addicts who need to avoid the things that trigger him. I was unsure what we were meant to make of all the pills and potions he was taking.

I wonder how many celebs that reached game in the late 90s have had similar paths. That period in the celebrity world was a hard drinking and partying one. I wonder if both at the time of the marriage had been swept in celeb rock and roll life styles with sycophantic enablers and as time went on and they matured the party ended......

The proportion of high profile entertainers that are addicts is awfully high and I feel Matt is one of these casualities.

also fidelity wasn't mentioned and presumably what goes on tour stays on tour but this may have also been a concern (cocaine and groupies).

ultimately though when you are wealthy and famous you have the luxury of discussing such problems openly and not having your career devastated (even possibly enhanced) which the person in the street does not. The stigma that exists with addiction in non celebratory spheres is very real and not really touched on with this program. I think Emma and Matt have the social and economic capital that means their cHildren will be able to partly get through this unscathed. However it is good to highlight addiction I guess.

fame

I think what we were allowed to see of the affect of Matt's addiction on Emma was just the tip of the iceberg. I imagine there has been a lot more that has gone on. The clip they showed of Emma on Loose Women in the lead up to their wedding was heartbreaking. She looked so sad behind her smile. And then when she talked about his last relapse and she was so devastated, thinking that once they had kids it would be the incentive he needed to stay clean and it wasn't.

Whatever their decisions they are adults and can wreck each others lives or let the other wreck their life as much as they like. But they brought 3 children into this mess. Emma looks like she's walking on eggshells. Imagine how the children must feel.

You clearly didn't watch it then. It wasn't like that at all.

Well it’s all just completely unhealthy co-dependency isn’t it? Not sure why that’s being held up as bravery and strength. I lived with an addicted husband for several years - alcohol, gambling, sometimes drugs. The only way it worked was for us all to be dancing to his tune, all the time. Accepting the unacceptable and always prioritising and supporting the addict. I suspect we haven’t seen or heard the half of what’s gone on in this marriage. Emma will not be able to continue this way indefinitely. Her MH will be destroyed. It’s almost harder when they’re functioning - as Willis seems to be, though only because of the support of his wife - onlookers cannot see the reality and it’s hard to get real support.