Jamie Lee Curtis Speaks About Her Drug Addiction And Michael Jackson
Quite brave!
Jamie Lee Curtis is opening up about her own struggles with pain medication, as well as her thoughts on Michael Jackson's dependence on them and why it actually started.
Curtis was having a "routine cosmetic surgical procedure" when she became addicted to morphine.
She writes:
Pain is part of the body's defense system, triggering a reflex reaction to retract from a painful stimulus, and helps adjust behavior to increase avoidance of that particular harmful situation in the future. So says Wikipedia. My favorite reference to Pain comes from The Princess Bride by William Goldman (I have quoted it on HuffPo before):
"Life is pain and anyone who tells you different is selling something."
Deepak Chopra explained that MJ asked him for narcotics to ease his pain. He seemed to ask everyone who had a medical license and some who didn't. He seemed to ask for himself and others, Mr. Omar I presume was a fellow junkie without medical insurance…
We're being shown now, in the weeks following Mr. Jackson's death, the supposed headwaters of his river of pain, the accident with Pepsi and the literal head on fire. It is a harrowing image, flames leaping off his head seconds before others came to his rescue.
The explanation is that this moment was the drug start point that eventually took over his life. I don't believe it. The pain he suffered was from his birth, from his being and becoming the commodity that then made him the omnipotent King of the Pop-Goes-The-Weasel-Jacko-In-The-Neverland-Box that destroyed him. Few children, put into the intense focus of their precious youth being marketed for other's pleasure, come out unscathed and with any sense of mental balance. I won't name names but we all know who they are as they have navigated their fame and falls on the covers of magazines and at the top of news hours. Rarely are the parents really held accountable for the fragile, destroyed youths as many of the young people get the F*&^% away as fast as their agents and lawyers get them… but the imprint is there, it cannot be undone without a painful process of self discovery and as we know… pain needs to be killed… not tolerated and examined.
Listen, I can relate. I too found painkillers after a routine cosmetic surgical procedure and I too became addicted, the morphine becomes the warm bath from which to escape painful reality. I was a lucky one. I was able to see that the pain had started long ago and far away and that the finding the narcotic was merely a matter of time. The pain needed numbing. My recovery from drug addiction is the single greatest accomplishment of my life… but it takes work — hard, painful work — but the help is there, in every town and career, drug/drink freed members of society, from every single walk and talk of life to help and guide.
I believe Mr. Jackson was in pain. Burns are a horrible injury and excruciating to recover from… but there was a time, when the physical pain ends and the emotional trauma takes over for which he needed the real help, the real treatment, the real focus. Mr. Jackson was an addict. It is coming out. Everywhere. He wanted relief and would get it in any name, place or method he could. It was and is a conspiracy of silence and I'm sure there were attempts to intervene and I'm sure his family and friends tried… but the addict gets what the addict wants, relief from the pain of their life… We all participated. We are all involved. Donations should be donated to drug treatment and prevention, not to his children. They don't need money. They need their father and sadly he is dead. Maybe, his morphing face will be know for not being the King of Pop but the sad mask of trauma and neglect and fear and yes… pain.
Thoughts??????
[Image via WENN.]
Quote Of The Day
Trouble!!! Maria's New Album Delayed!
first?
She's absolutely 100% correct.
fuck shes aged bad
had great big ol tittays back in day
Very deep and profound. I myself am tired of hearing about MJ every time I turn on the TV, but I really respect that she found sympathy where others are judgmental.
Bravo!
I think the bits about "won't name names but we all know who they are as they have navigated their fame and falls on the covers of magazines and at the top of news hours." is referring to Lindsay.
I heart Jamie Lee. She nailed it, and so eloquently.
i think what she said is amazing
couln't have said it bette myself!………..Joe Jackson sucks balls
she's SOOO right. this is really meaningful. I'm glad she came out and shared her perspective on the situation. addictions are ways of coping with pain in ones life… such a shame. and I'm proud she's clean, sober, and HAPPY!
That's Excellent!
Well said!!
i think that jamie speach was on target. this is 100% correct! this is so true.
she has no right to sound so sure of her self when talking about Michael, she didnt know him so what does she know? she can fuck right off, none of her business.
Not all pain goes away, what a twit. I also have lupus and I can tell you it's not a walk in the park. It's literally taking my life and causing multiple organ failure. There's no cure and the pain can only be eased in short bursts. What a joke.
wow…
what she said was amazing!
Classy lady! Well said.
I AGREE WITH HER SENTIMENTS. VERY MUCH.
She is one smart cookie and I believe in everything she said! Love her!!
Very eloquently stated. I agree. Now when is she gonna lose those bifocals and grow her hair longer? I dont dig that look….oh well activaaaaaah
nail. head.
Well its good that she found help along the way..but two words…HAIR COLOR!
shes the first to have some logic to put into the whole situation…love her
she's absolutely right. i'm very happy i read this and am going to keep it for future reference. you don't have to be a superstar to endure emotional pain, and our society is set up to help us numb it (bars on every corner, prescriptions when not needed). it's not society's fault, but easy accessability can lead to easy abuse. she's so right though, about taking accoutability, by accepting that pain and suffering exist and they're something that must be dealt with and accepted, not pushed down and numbed. so honest and human. she's cool.
Re: Paris France – You have a bunch of messages on Gosselin Bong post, Sheba. Everybody loves you.
After reading this, I respect Jamie Lee Curtis more than I did before. I believe in what she says. It's about time we hear personal truth from people that have gotten out of addiction instead of from people who are still in the healing process. She seems to be as healed as a former "addict" can be and that's beautiful. Accountability is so important, and people are too quick to blame everything/one but themselves. I also think that donations to help prevent drug use and addiction instead of the jackson family is a great idea. They really don't need the money. It's the greed and fame that got him into this mess in the first place.
She's only 50 but looks like she could be the spokesperson for AARP. She looks almost as bad as Tanya Tucker who is the same age.
I don't always like Jamie Lee Curtis; there's something about her I sometimes find irritating. But, at the same time, I still LOVE her always. She's human, and she is brave in her being human, and for that, I thank her, and I love her. I will never forget that pictoral spread she did without make-up and airbrushing when she was at her peak, to show young girls - her daughter in particular - that no woman is perfect, that even the one cast as "Perfect" still had imperfections. I didn't know she was an addict, but once again, she announces it at the right time for people to learn from her mistakes / pain / lessons. I think it is great, and Bravo to her. What she is saying is not novel, but it's true, and it helps to keep hearing it, especially from people in the public eye, whose lives so many think are perfect or better than their own. Kudos, JLC.
very eloquently stated…very sensitive. right on, jamie. whether she knew him personally or not, she wasn't attacking him…she was being honest and, i thought, understanding. i'm proud of her for speaking out. until we hear back about the autopsy/etc, we're GOING to hear about him. it's still news, like it or not. at least she had the guts to say something caring in the midst of all the crap some people are saying.
love you, michael.
Re: noneoftheabove – I'm sorry you have Lupus. I think that would make it so much harder to not be addicted because it is so painful. It's probably hard to find the perfect balance for your pain without getting addicted to the medication. Then, the medication takes charge and starts making it's own perfect balance. The saga continues!
I completely agree. Love her
Re: alexis360 – you dont have to know him to see the obvious..
Well said.
Wow!! She is very insightful and completely 100% on target!!
And may Joe Jackson urn in hell for all the shit he put his family through. He is nothing but a jealous pathetic bully that couldn't handle his children being more talented and successful than he ever would be!!
wonderfully written
Very well written!!!
yep. 100%
She is an intelligent person. Right on the mark.
I like her very much. She was great in 'True lies' with Arnold.
Wow! Well said Jamie! If all of us could be as real and free as Jamie. Bless us all and love yourself.
wow- she nailed it- 100%
Totally Spot On!!!
excellent
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Re: Squirrel – um that is so uncalled for. If you are comfortable with yourself why be a critic to her. Not my style either but she looks for free spirit with the short gray hair and all. As someone who always makes sure she looks great before walking out the door each day I admire Jamie and her carefree look. I admire that.
Who the hell is Jamie Lee Curtis? And why is he crying?
Re: noneoftheabove – please visit watercure2.org. If you have tried everything and doctors can't help, you have nothing to lose with this completely free intervention. Water and sea salt.
wow! deep and absolutely true.
MJ Rest in peace now that the pain is gone.
Love you for ever and ever…
for those criticizing her looks, are you that superficial?
damn, she is making some interesting points and all
you can comment on is her hair color and wrinkles??
as for MJ, what a burden it must have been to be him.
funny how we imagine fame and money to be the answer
to everything, but it didn't alleviate his pain or insecurity.
there is so much to learn from his life and death, if we
talk about it intelligently. Ironic that with all his fans,
family, friends…i do believe he was the lonliest person
on this planet.
I think that's very insightful and true. I've always found her to be refreshing honest. Remember when she posed in bra & panties to show her not-photoshopped aging body as it really looks? It was refreshing.
Anyone who is an addict or has had to learn about addiction through a friend or family member can relate to MJ's situation. I'm really glad she actually SAID that besides remembering and praising MJ for his talents, we should be focusing on addiction as well. Instead of people leaving expensive flower bouquets at his residence, people should be making donations to non-profit drug treatment programs… to increase awareness and outreach. Insurance doesn't necessarily pay for rehab, and SO MANY people could use the assistance to go to one. Yes, "drugs are bad," but it's not that simple. And when it comes to prescription drugs, even more people aren't aware that they're just as addictive as street drugs, and so much easier to come by. And they're usually prescribed initially for very legitimate purposes… without a plan to ween the person off of them in the future. It's so widespread and so sad.
buzzkill!!!!!!!!
Looks very bad for 50- perhaps it's the drugs. But she is very correct and I really like her as an actress
GOD BLESS JAMIE CURTIS!!! She hit the nail right on top of the head!!
I do respect this woman!
.
She is very eloquent.
Amazing and 100% correct.
yeah, yeah, yeah, I am so tired of addicts not taking responsibility for their addictions. Whatever happened in your past, this is YOUR present addiction. Take care of it. Jamie Lee is way too young to look like an old broad. Get some hair color. Looking old and gray just shows you are not taking care of yourself and are trying to make yourself look smarter with the 'age factor', ppsstt…not working.
Re: noneoftheabove –
I hope things are going to get better for you. Sending some good vibes.
I am sorry, is she trying to look like an unattractive lez, or what?
I always found her annoying, but I totally respect her for this. She looks beautiful! It's nice that there are women in Hollywood who aren't afraid to age
Well said…It's nice to see that she's interested in other things besides helping people who can't shit!
she's such a fucking melodramatic holier-than-thou know-it-all. since when is she the expert in anything, and why does she think anyone gives a shit about what she has to say about michael jackson. shut the fuck up jamie, and stop trying to be relevant.
well said. i love her
Jamie Lee Curtis is one smart cookie. I adore her for her TOTAL honesty and agree with everything she said. It's too bad that Michael didn't want to save himself. He's the only one who could. It's too bad he had so many "yes" people in his life. Then again. those are the only people he wanted in his life.
Re: GirlsJustWannaHaveFun – I love you! Thanks for letting me know. I did respond. That was very sweet! Thank you. MUAH!
That was deep….. and so true
Well put…Bravo!
I have always loved Jamie Lee. She look's fabulous by the way.
Aren't you glad you're not famous.
Wow…Say word! Jamie Lee kicks ass (but her yogurt commercials are a bit weird)
Life is pain?? That's a sad way to look at life. I don't see it that way but to each his/her own. I don't get what she means by "We all participated. We are all involved." Participated in making Michael what he became? Involved in turning him into a freak? I don't think so. He did that all on his own.
Kudos Jamie lee Curtis!!
This makes So much Sense!!
nicely said! i agree it makes total sense there is not one thing she didnt say that needed to be said, and put it to where people can understand
Beautiful. What an amazing person.
holy shit that's powerful stuff…dead on
I absolutely, positvely, 100% agree.
wRe: alexis360 – Why so upset? She was coming across in his defense. Just because he abused drugs doesn't make him a bad person it just makes him human. We all have our share of problems, his just happen to be broadcast to the world.
Re: Stray Cat – Yes, you hateful mean bastard's killed MJ. Damn right! Except the fucking responibility now, he is dead, finally resting in peace.
everyone is an expert now…
Well said…Kudos to Ms Curtis. she is so right…about every single issue she wrote about. and as far as junkies, alcoholics go…we can pick each other out fairly easily. Takes one, to know one.
that's right. preach it.
Re: PerezTheBlogNazi – Okay, you busted me. I confess. It was all my fault. I sat in my room with my MJ voodoo doll and stabbed it repeatedly with morphine dipped pins until the freak died. There, are you happy??
Jamie Lee Curtis… I think she hit it bang on. We'll never really know for sure what went on in MJ's head, only he knew for sure… but that was one powerful insight from a very intelligent, strong woman on the TRUTH behind what propels someone into such a nightmarish life choice. Well said JLC.
bravo.
Re: noneoftheabove – i dont think she was talking about that kind of pain my dearr…
everything that she said was 110% correct. anything that u've been thru emtionally can change u, yes, but let it change you in a good way. dont let it bring u down
I always loved Ms. Curtis. Ever since i saw an interview of her in Lohan's Freaky Friday movie.
Ms. Curtis is an ultra Wise person, and I am always happy to listen to any wise words just happen to pop out of her mouth.
And what is the deal with this silly rumour that she is a hermy??
Finally, Finally someone speaks about what really was going on with our 'icon' The pressure on that little boy was so extreme, his home life was frightening, he couldn't leave the house without recognition from such an early age. He was so talented and this story is so tragic. The last 10+ years of this man's life read like a downward spiral, unfortunately he had been so isolated from anyone that truly cared about him for so long - and who can say they TRULY cared for him… he was a cash cow for his family, a cash cow for the record companies, he was used his entire life. Yes there are disturbing aspects to this man's personality but the psyche is a fragile thing - especially a young boy's that grew up in a very public life, being the engine of his entire family. Just a sad story and this is the most human and caring thing I have heard someone say about him since the day we heard he was gone. Good for Jamie Lee!!
This woman is class…
-her honesty is amazing.
this is such a good piece, so honest/
UNTIL THE TOXICOLOGY REPORTS COME OUT, NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT MICHAEL JACKSON WAS DOING.
SO THIS BITCH AND ALL THE REST OF YOU ASSHOLES NEED TO KEEP YOUR TRAPS SHUT UNTIL YOU GET THE FACTS.
NO ONE ASKED FOR A WASHED UP HOLLYWOOD HAS-BEEN'S OPINION ANYWAY.
THIS BITCH DID NOT GROW UP WITH MICHAEL JACKSON.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW A DAMN THING ABOUT HIM OR HIS FAMILY.
SHE'S TALKING OUT OF HER ASS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
i love the fact that she has no plastic surgeries done and she looks really really amazing… fabulous !!
she looks so much better than many other celebrities with plastic surgery !
Blah Blah.. She is getting OLLLLDDDDD!
Jamie Lee has a golden heart and a silver tongue.
Brilliant. She nailed it, dead on.
I have watched Jamie for over 40 years. She is so impressed with herself she goes on and on in person or print in order to play out what she feels is her self appointed importance in life. She is screwed up on a major basis. If you are a younger person you probably don't know her history. She's a big fat zero and if it weren't for her last name and her father, she'd be unknown. A few bit parts and a personal appearance that screams for a makeover. This woman should keep her mouth shut.
I love her. She always speaks her mind and everything she said is dead on. Particularly about child actors being nothing but a commodity to their parents, agents and the film industry. I always love when she expresses her opinion because it is usually right in line with my own and this time isn't any different.
WTG JAMIE!!! WOW I learned a lot just from that!! Thank you!! you are 100% correct. Brilliant…very well said…
I too am an addict to painkillers, not ashamed. Why do people get addicted? BECAUASE THEY MAKE YOU FEEL EUPHORIC. Derr derrrrr. Yeah, life is painful, and pain is painful, and euphoria is a great escape. MAKE SENSE? And I could tell you all that in like 2 sentences without the longwinded BS Jamie Lee had to pitch in like we care what she thinks about MJ's death. Addiction can be physical, it can be psychological, and it can certainly be both. But for her to guess at what he was going through is like me guessing what he was going through. And how many of you would listen to the shit theories I'd blabber? None.
Okay maybe I was harsh on her because she does speak in defense of child actors and entertainers under harsh stage parents who push them to psychological breaking points. So props to her for that but the rest, bah, it's like a blinding flash of the obvious.
Wow, this was strong! She is a very wise woman and I really do respect her after reading this, because I didn't know much about her earlier.
If it's truly the case that he was addicted, it's heartbreaking that he didn't get help for this. Or maybe he did but it didn't work… we will probably never know 100% for sure.
I believe that everyone who struggles like he did, wants help but they are not always willing to face the hard work and the tough insights about themselves that will follow. It's tough. He helped so many people, but what he really needed to do first was to help himself. Maybe he didn't feel like he was worth it? I can only try to understand from my own experiences. Even though I'm not a superstar like him or have been addicted, there are many similarities. I'm a co-dependent, had a rough childhood and can understand some of this thinking.