Women are the fastest growing segment for substance abuse in
the United States. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 2.7 million women in the United States,
18 years or older, abuse drugs or alcohol.
Sadly, of these women, a large
percentage of them do not receive treatment because of various reasons. Seeking treatment would highlight the stigma of substance abuse in their families and
communities. However, without help addiction can lead to dangerous
circumstances and even death, such as the cases for the women below:
Marilyn
Monroe - After many films, performances, marriages, and steadily
becoming an icon and sex symbol, Monroe eventually began to deteriorate. She
suffered from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and many health problems. Her
health required a variety of medical drugs, which created a growing addiction.
She also developed a dependence to alcohol and other drugs, and in 1959, those
addictions started to affect her health. There’s no question that Monroe’s
early childhood, inner life and stressful career contributed to her growing
addictions. Monroe’s biographers report that she likely suffered from sexual
abuse as a child and that those unresolved issues contributed to an unhealthy
inner life. Yet, she tried to support herself, to create change, and find the
resources to heal. The destructive cycles of addiction plagued her later life.
Marilyn Monroe died in her Los Angeles home on August 5, 1962.
Whitney
Houston - Beneath the glory and glamour, Whitney Houston had a
tumultuous relationship with her spouse and singer-songwriter, Bobby Brown,
among other struggles. Perhaps for those reasons and more, she used various
types of drugs on a regular basis. Whitney had a highly public life which
perhaps added to the emotional and psychological problems she faced. She began
her career in the early 80’s and continued to rise to singing stardom
throughout the 90’s. When she died in 2012, she was known for being a beautiful
actress, model, producer, and award-winning singer.
Amy
Winehouse – Any Winehouse is an English singer and songwriter who was
raised among a family of musicians. Her father, although not one of the
musically talented in her family, often sang Frank Sinatra songs to her as a
child. Amy was introduced to jazz early on and was encouraged by her family to
continue to explore and study it. Once her career got off the ground, Amy has
won many awards for her music and song-writing talents. At 24, Winehouse had
already won six Grammy nominations. But by 2008, her substance use was starting
to impact her career. Winehouse died on July 23, 2011 from alcohol poisoning.
There is a documentary about her life and her tragic death.
Anna
Nicole Smith – Anna Nicole Smith is an American model who
died due to a prescription drug addiction. She dropped out of high school and
three years later married when she was 21years old. Her marriage to J. Howard
Marshall was a controversy because of claims that Smith married him because of
his money. After Marshall's death, Smith endured a long court battle over the
share of his estate. Her death was the result of an overdose of prescription
drugs. She died at the age of 40 in 2007.
There are many reasons why women don't end getting the help
they need. For the women listed above, fame and fortune may have made it even
more challenging to admit there was a problem.
If you know you need help for an addiction, call for
addiction help today.
