Lindsay Lohan is Not in a Position to Make Anymore Excuses

Anyone who has experienced the humiliating aspects of hardcore drug addiction and alcoholism knows what might eventually happen to Lindsay Lohan.  No matter what the public thinks and how much we may want to see her get better (or not), when the law steps in, the consequences are serious and the lessons are harder than we can ever imagine. 

This morning, TMZ reported that the IRS has ceased all of Lindsay’s bank accounts to settle massive tax debt.  Assuming Lindsay can pay the debt, she still has to face a judge on the east coast for assault, and one on the west coast for violating the conditions of her probation by lying to police officers.  Troubles are mounting with rumors in the press saying Lifetime Network wants to sue Lindsay for breech of contract because she drove during production of “Liz & Dick” and got in an accident, which violated her contract.  This is a lot of conflict for someone who should be in a setting that would allow her to find the will to get and stay sober.  Conflict often drives addiction and gives addicts an excuse to drink and use, in order to foolishly find fault in others.

Lindsay is going to be hard to insure for future productions and she also may end up in jail for violating her probation.  If Lindsay is held responsible and the courts show they have had enough, this could very well happen.  So what’s left?  If you read any comment section about Lindsay, there is little sympathy for her.  But if no one can save her, will Lindsay Lohan be able to find the will to save herself? 

Let’s examine this question because we have several factors here.  Saving herself according to public opinion is one thing.  Chances are the public is willing to forgive her one more time, if she goes to rehab and stays there for at least six months to a year.  But then we also have to factor in the law and in the eyes of the law, Lindsay is an evermore increasing danger to herself.  This is difficult to repair because the law and how it applies to Lindsay is, in my view, no longer negotiable. 

In the eyes of the psychiatric community, Lindsay is seen as someone who may need all kinds of voluntary and even involuntary treatments for years to come.  This solution is as difficult, if not more difficult than jail by itself.   In treatment, Lindsay would have to be in a controlled environment so she will no longer be a danger to herself and others.  Treatment methods of today will break her down, tear down every part of herself she has ever known and then she would be rebuilt by her therapists, according to what they think is right for her.  That most likely means, no more Hollywood, no more parties, no more bad people to hang out with, no more enablers.  That is the reality of treatment if you’re going to get better.  Is there a way back?  Sure there is!  But that takes many years of hard work.   Is this good for a person?  It won't feel like it at first and by "at first" I mean probably the first two years.  But it is, in some cases, the only way recovery experts can successfully treat someone in Lindsay’s condition. 

There’s not much left for Lindsay to destroy.  Her behavior has bulldozed over just about everything precious that we have ever seen in her.  We know she's trying, but for every step forward she takes three steps back.  The change must come.  It must come now, or Lindsay will destroy the only thing she has left.  Herself.

Mike Tyson has Honest and Wise Words for Lindsay Lohan

Film Review: Lifetime “Liz & Dick,” a Recipe for Lindsay Lohan to Relapse

Last night’s world-premier of the long-awaited Lifetime biopic “Liz & Dick” starring Lindsay Lohan and Grant Bowler, was the most insensitive portrayal of a Hollywood movie star I have ever seen!  My outrage is not about how Elisabeth Taylor was portrayed however, but rather how producers used Lindsay Lohan and her life of struggle with addiction to market the film.  In short, what we saw last night looked like the story of Elisabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, but sounded like the story of a nasal, raspy-voiced teenager pained by lovelessness.

For one, I congratulate Lindsay for keeping her end of the bargain and finishing the film.  If I had a word of advice for the producers, the lack of interest in getting Lindsay voice trained for this role is quite pathetic.  For the kind of low-budget film this was, even Elisabeth Taylor who herself was sober and was surely turning over in her grave last night, would have said that Lindsay was the only draw for people to see this film and for all the wrong reasons.

Message to the producers and marketing department of “Liz & Dick:  Using a person’s personal tragedy and affliction to humiliate them and exploit them to make money is reprehensible!  Lindsay Lohan is struggling to stay sober and the producers of “Liz & Dick” asked Lindsay to smoke like a chimney, pretend she was an out of control drunk, knowing she was struggling to get sober and even act out a part of attempted suicide by prescription drug overdose!  There is nothing more psychologically harmful I can think of, that would cause a person to relapse back into addiction than this.  Given all the psychological grief this film probably caused Lindsay Lohan, it is a miracle she did not relapse and kill herself. 

Lesson:  Among other things, addiction is about triggers.  It’s about conflict and inner trauma.  Addiction causes PTSD in people and it stays with some people even after they achieve long term sobriety.  Never assume it is okay to let someone who is struggling to get sober drink or use.  NEVER.  

In case you may think we haven’t been here before, Heath Ledger’s death and the life he lived right before his death will tell a story few bother to research or talk about.  The fact of the matter is that Heath was experimenting with drugs to better identify with certain roles he was playing.  Check the record.  It’s a fact.  If Lindsay Lohan relapses badly, the producers of “Liz & Dick” will have to check their conscience!

Message to Lindsay:  Well done, kid.  Stay sober and stay away from users and abusers like Charlie Sheen.

Rosie O'Donnell: Let Lindsay do her Job!

 Staying busy with work is one of the best things for recovery.  But Rosie O’Donnell doesn’t seem to understand that part.  Her opinion of Lindsay Lohan is a good example of what is wrong in how we view recovery.  In this interview, Rosie O’Donnell acts like the tosspot that’s calling the kettle black.  If I had one thing to say to Rosie, it would be that she should learn to be kinder and more tolerant to those who are fighting for their life while trying to find long-term recovery.

And so, the question is, should Lindsay be taking on the role of Elisabeth Taylor?  How should we view the answer to this question?  Of all the Hollywood biographies I have read, and I have read many, the most books I have read on the life of a celebrity are those of Elisabeth Taylor. 

The late Ms. Taylor, who suffered from chronic alcoholism, had an extremely turbulent life and was extremely hard on herself.  She had a moral standard that was unique in that she would not allow herself to fall in love with a man, unless she was married to him.  As has been well documented, Elisabeth Taylor has, by her standards, fallen in love many times and therefore has married and divorced seven times. 

Taylor struggled with alcoholism and had a cycle of co-alcoholism she could not shake.  Elisabeth Taylor’s life is an example of what alcoholics call living life through “a geographic cure.”  Meaning, alcoholics think in ways of changing his or her environment rather than themselves, a dangerous system of denial.

Surely, at fist blush, Elisabeth Taylor’s story is one better suited for a more seasoned and mature actor, though we should give Lindsay Lohan the benefit of the doubt.  Every one has to move on at some time or another in their life.  The same goes for Lindsay and as far as alcoholism goes, Lindsay knows this problem well, as she struggled with alcoholism since she was a teenager. 

Rosie O’Donnell, should be more supportive of Lindsay who has had a very tough time lately and is trying to overcome serious obstacles.  Lindsay is young and ambitious and is not out to criticize anyone.  Let’s give her a chance. 

Lindsay Lohan: Take the Judges Advice

When we get sober and earn some time in recovery, we find out that our greatest days are still ahead of us. I hope Lindsay Lohan finds this path and stays on it. In the last five years, we have seen Lindsay struggle with her addiction and have watched how the legal system and a "no nonsense" judge has literally saved her from a very self-destructive downward spiral. So far it's a happy ending and if Lindsay takes the judges advice, it will continue to be that way.

Well Done Lindsay! One Day At A Time

Lindsay Lohan: Beautiful Woman, Extraordinary Talent, Horrific Personal Struggle

By Alexandra Datig

Lindsay Lohan grew up in the spotlight. From “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” to “Mean Girls” to “Chapter 27” Lindsay Lohan has made us all recognize that she has a will to succeed. But Lindsay has had struggles finding someone in her life who she could believe in that would show her good example. A conflict between parents, a teenage drinking problem, a series of drug arrests and courtroom drama that seems endless, has shown how Lindsay’s personal life is spiraling out of control.

At the age of 25, life begins to change for many young women. Lindsay has reached an age where she must recognize that she either grows up and begins to take responsibility for her life, or the heartbreak will keep on coming. In recovery it’s called “incomprehensible demoralization.” When Paris Hilton had all her troubles, she too was in her mid 20’s, though neither Paris nor Lindsay actually understand that younger women who plan to become “just like them” are idolizing and modeling their behavior.

We see Lindsay smoking just about everywhere she goes. We see her falling down and making a fool of herself and even more so we often see Lindsay alone. Yet we don’t ask her why she believes that her “I’m going to do what ever I want” attitude isn't hurting others. Still, Lindsay is pushing all the extremes. From breaking her probation, to being sent to the morgue, to a Marylyn Monroe-esque Playboy shoot, what are other young women and men supposed to make of Lindsay Lohan? Is she saying “look only at the part of me which is okay“, pointing to her outer undeniable beauty? But if we look at her behavior and her decisions over the last few years, it seems there are more reactions than actions to her life. This is a certain sign of unhappiness and a dangerous place for an addict.

Addiction is a complex and incredibly stressful thing, where the central nervous system’s ability to send a calming response to CNS receptors is impaired. While in it’s active state, addiction is a confrontational fiend. It is a disease of betrayal, provocation, hostile retaliation, of emotional highs and lows as well as a constant need to prove that “we are a better person than the rest of those who are watching.” Lindsay is portraying a type of martyrdom and quite frankly (and I never thought I’d say this), Playboy Magazine is doing far more for Lindsay than Lindsay is doing for Playboy. The images are certainly a step up from the blood dripping, knife wielding pics from earlier this year.

Lindsay is at a crossroads in her life and perhaps Playboy has put a fork in the road. Is she going to follow the path of Anna Nicole Smith, whose reactive, addictive life lead her to an early death? Or is Lindsay Lohan going to grow?

I for one just want to ask Lindsay to take the opportunity and think about other young women who are not riding high on fame but are going through similar problems as Lindsay’s run-ins with the law. We have heard Lindsay say for moths now, that she has to change and do more and learn form her mistakes. Woman to woman Lindsay, cause I've been there and done that, the world may seem like it revolves around you, but it does not. If you want to destroy your life, that is your business, but please, if you continue on your destructive path, get out of the spotlight because you are hurting the self-image of at-risk young women and men! It is time for you to see the writing on the wall. Do something good with your life and give yourself a chance and stop being so selfish.

Lindsay Lohan - It's time to get sober and get your life back!

Lindsay Lohan is one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. But in the last few years we have watched her fade into the absent minded world of addiction. Today I am seeing pictures on TMZ of Lindsay and it does not take an expert to see that Lindsay is not in touch with the real world anymore.

KTLA reported that police are thinking about committing Lindsay to an involuntary 5150 hold. 5150 is a 72 hour evaluation. I hope if the authorities do commit her, they make a recommendation for treatment of six months or more - away from Hollywood.

Lindsay is not getting it. She is not happy with who she is on the inside. Every time we turn around Lindsay has a different hair color. Why? Distracting on the outside so we don't have to deal with what's on the inside? It's quite typical for addicts.

5150 means it's over. Get real or get more of the same. It's time to want this thing Lindsay. A prayer for you. Get sober and get your life back.