I'm Amy Winehouse - Just Less Glamorous

Amy Winehouse

It's all across the news and social platforms at this point that Amy Winehouse, a struggling addict, has died at the age of 27. While it's a complete tragedy that we have lost such talent, there is a lot of harsh judgment and criticisms of this young lady having lost her life, apparently as a result of her addictions.

It's so easy to look at Amy Winehouse, and point out the demons that she so obviously struggled with. As her addictions to drugs spiraled out of control, it was obvious when she was seen just how far she had gone down a horrible path. Being a celebrity, she floated in and out of the spotlight, inadvertently showcasing her addiction. When seeing her in magazines and tabloids, and on tv, it's so easy to sit on my sofa and sanctimoniously declare what a mess she's been making of her life. She had everything that the world declares as success at her fingertips - talent, money, fame - and she threw it all away on drugs and the fast rock and roll lifestyle. What a waste.

But here's the clincher: I'm Amy Winehouse, just much less glamorous. I don't have the fortune and fame. I don't have the same kind of amazing raw talent that she had. My life is much less of a spectacle than hers ever was, but my struggles are no better.

She had addictions to drugs. I have addictions to food. She lost control of her addictions. I've lost control of my addictions. When you saw her in public, you could obviously see the effects her addictions were having on her body. Likewise for me. She pushed her addictions until they apparently caused her demise. Without making changes, I'm on that very same road.

It's so easy to see someone else out there, who is obviously facing some sort of addiction or struggle, to point to that person, literally or figuratively, and say, "Well, I have my struggles, but at least I'm not THAT." I'm here to tell you: you ARE that. Your addiction may not be drugs, but it may be alcohol, or cigarettes, or food, or porn, or even facebook. And while the physical effects of the addictions may be very different, emotionally and psychologically, they are very much the same; and one is no "better" than the next.

I'm Amy Winehouse, just less glamorous. And may I never forget the tragedy that her addiction has brought upon her life and the lives of her loved ones.