As you probably have heard, actor Heath Ledger passed away on Tuesday at the young age of 28. While the details surrounding his untimely death are still unclear, two things are certain: drugs of some sort were involved, and the situation could have been avoided.
Though his death is currently believed to have been accidental, word of Ledger’s struggle with addiction has been circulating, and those close to him have been reporting that Ledger was having trouble staying sober. Some of his loved ones even offered help, though he reportedly rejected their concerns. All of this begs the question, “Could have this been avoided?” When comparing this situation to that of some other celebrities, the answer seems to be, “Yes.”
Owen Wilson’s recent suicide attempt revealed his struggle with addiction, but his recovery serves as just one example of how such a situation need not end in tragedy. With the support of his friends and family, Wilson managed to overcome his addiction and become a success story. Ed Board hopes he can continue this triumph over such a dangerous illness.
Many other celebrities are dealing with problems similar to those of Ledger and Wilson. Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse are perhaps the two best examples of why one should consider checking into rehab. Fortunately, it was reported Thursday that Winehouse has finally done so, and good for her. We can only hope that Ms. Spears will eventually do the same and save her life in the process.
In the middle of such close reporting on celebrities’ personal and often drug-addicted lives, it seems like perfect timing for a new perspective to emerge. One new TV show on VH1 works to realistically portray just how difficult it is to kick an addiction. “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” is turning out to be a great force to counteract all of the negative media surrounding celebrities and their over-the-top lifestyles. It is wonderful to see people getting help instead of continuing along their dangerous paths. We can only hope that each celebrity is able to pull through and leave the experience without their previous bad habits.
Kudos to Dr. Drew and VH1 for showing that there is a way to recover from addiction and that it is possible to turn one’s life around after hitting rock bottom. Ed Board applauds the celebrities who are seeking treatment and only wishes that so many others had chosen the same path. Perhaps if Ledger had followed suit and accepted the offers of help, he might still be with us.
