Comments on: Did Whitney Houston want to die?

By: James Genovese, LPC, LCADC

James Genovese, LPC, LCADC — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:21:39 +0000

O’Reilly’s comments also betray an ignorance of the biological, social, and psychological aspects of chemical (and behavioral) addiction that is shared by many people, both addicted and non-addicted alike.

Maybe dismissing it as a death wish or a moral failure allows us to get our heads around what is really a complex, multifaceted disease.

The Factor may be a “no-spin zone”, but at least in this case it is also being a “misinformation zone”.

We in the mental health profession have an awesome challenge to use social media–e.g., your blog–to correct these misconceptions through education. Thanks for a great blog post.

By: Ed Spellacy

Ed Spellacy — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:30:42 +0000

Our Dear Lord gave Whitney a special gift that she passed on to our world with her great voice…. her “LOVE” for life and her family and friends.
Whitney acheived a great deal in her short life and gave alot of her life to our world and society. God Bless her inheaven, God Bless you Cissy and her entire family,,, weare certain our LORD will.

Wish Whitney was still here… her music will be forever.
Ed and family

By: Tracy

Tracy — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:08:56 +0000

I appreciate the insight and it is a relief knowing that thier are ppl who understand as it was stated” a path to find a more tolerable existance”, and along that path there are things that bring one relief but can be long term harmful as well. The mental state of mind is a tricky little sucker, and no one chooses to feel sad, or hurt, or not GOOD Enough, or lonely even though there are ppl around you. Sometimes it becomes an everyday struggle to be energized and productive. And the negative feelings began to weigh you down even though you know wholeheartedly you are a kind mother and a wonderful wife with a loving soul. So yes, while I am not addicted to any drugs, I know what the path to finding everyday exeptance and happiness feels like. A little less jusdjement and a lot more compassion this world could learn from. I feel Whitney..I have been sad for her for a while…and I lift her family up wanting them to know that she touched so many in various ways and will be missed. I don’t blame her…I wish help had ocme sooner.

By: Ivy

Ivy — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 01:59:04 +0000

In spite of the addiction- I LOVE YOU WHITNEY FOREVER!

By: Dee Henderson, MSN, RN-BC

Dee Henderson, MSN, RN-BC — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:19:25 +0000

I, too appreciate the perspective you brought to this latest tragic loss to addiction. Your comments reinforce the truth that, while the death of celebrities to addiction brings attention to those deaths, the scourge of addiction cuts across all lines and is a problem that could affect anyone. “There, but for the Grace of God, go I.” As clinicians and as citizens we all have to deal with people coping with addiction. As a society, we need to show compassion and determination to help those afflicted, not to impose judgment that can only drive them further into their illness.

By: Cheryl Buteaux

Cheryl Buteaux — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:43:40 +0000

Great blog. I especially appreciate the human agenda paragraph where we “strive to be happy”. It reminded be of my favorite poem by Max Ehrmann, “Desiderata”. Searching for ways to cope is part of the human condition that is frequently challenged with both physical and emotional pain. It is sad that as we search for answers to these tragedies, some resort to blame. This is of course the easy way as you describe, as the course that may result in life sustaining coping skills takes far longer to master and comes with many ups and downs.

By: Christi Peters

Christi Peters — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:51:09 +0000

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this blog. Its an overused statement to say ‘no one chooses addiction’, but something I believe wholeheartedly. I’ve always felt Whitney’s grace to discuss publicly her private struggles with addiction was a big step in saying ‘this can happen to anyone’. If this talented, classy lady became addicted to substances, its an equal opportunity disease.