Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The scandal that keeps on giving

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  • Marcus Turner, in reply to chris,

    (Late response, sorry). I've sometimes thought I'd like a hulusi...

    Since Nov 2006 • 212 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    if you don't want to change the habit, it will probably be your demise in the end

    I honestly thought she would be like Keith Richards and go on forever. I spend a lot of time looking at him in wonderment, thinking 'how is that guy still alive?' But I suppose he remained pretty prolific even throughout the smack years, while Winehouse... wasn't. It makes a difference.

    I'm saddened. I think she was wonderful. (I also have some thoughts percolating around in my mind about the strange rockist/sexist undertones of some of the online reactions to her death, but they aren't quite formed yet.)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Danielle,

    I spend a lot of time looking at him in wonderment, thinking 'how is that guy still alive?'

    Exception that proves the rule, innit?

    Keith Moon, Jimi Hendrix and about a billion others aren't rocking too hard on this mortal coil any more.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Rich Lock,

    Exception that proves the rule, innit?

    I dunno... there are a lot of heavy drug users in the music industry who come out of it reasonably intact. Look at Bowie or Elton or Fleetwood Mac or David Crosby. And those are just some of the ones we know about.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Danielle,

    I honestly thought she would be like Keith Richards and go on forever. I spend a lot of time looking at him in wonderment, thinking ‘how is that guy still alive?’ But I suppose he remained pretty prolific even throughout the smack years, while Winehouse… wasn’t. It makes a difference.

    Probably the big difference was that Amy Winehouse’s drug and alcohol problems were rooted in her bipolar depression. They were suppressing that dysfunction. It’s harder to break free of drug an alcohol dependence in that situation.

    Also, crack. Heroin addicts, if they can avoid an overdose death or a blood-borne disease, do generally function, especially if they’re wealthy enough to afford their smack without doing crime. Crackheads, not so much.

    And she was in a scene where drugs and alcohol are endlessly available, often for free. Pete Doherty is alive, but there’s a trail of human wreckage and dead drug-buddies behind him.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Also, crack.

    Yeah, good point. I suppose even Keith Richards didn’t regularly take a combination of crack, heroin, ketamine, ecstasy and alcohol (aaaaaand now I have a QOTSA earworm, inevitably).

    ETA:

    rooted in her bipolar depression

    Also a good point. I read somewhere recently that a lot of rehabs aren't really equipped to deal with people with mental illnesses who really *should* be on some medication. Just not the Class A illegal kind.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Danielle,

    I suppose even Keith Richards didn’t regularly take a combination of crack, heroin, ketamine, ecstasy and alcohol

    The man is such a wuss.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX,

    To me this is more apt than the pointless rumination that goes on.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Bipolar does not cause addiction; they are just two varieties of (mental) illnesses which can be concurrent problems. Some bipolars drink and drug a lot to self-medicate the bipolar symptoms, but they are not addicts. Other bipolar sufferers are addicts as well. As you note, that's a minefield for the person, the mental health sytem and the addiction treatment system.

    For what it's worth, junkies often OD after they've been clean on and off for a while rather than staying consistently wasted. That's because their tolerance goes with a bit of clean time, they relapse back into using the same amount and because their tolerance is gone, they OD. But rich junkies either seem to die quickly or go on for a thousand years like old Bill Burroughs, just slowly dessicating.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Hebe,

    For what it's worth, junkies often OD after they've been clean on and off for a while rather than staying consistently wasted. That's because their tolerance goes with a bit of clean time, they relapse back into using the same amount and because their tolerance is gone, they OD.

    That what happened to my neighbour a couple of years ago: in hospital for two months, came home, baked, shot up -- and was dead before anyone realised he was back.

    Unfortunately, he died with his oven on full-blast. It was pretty nasty by the time he was discovered three days later. And his Doberman was shut in the lounge. I helped his sister look for his car keys after the body was removed and the smell of death and dog shit is not a good memory.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to DexterX,

    pointless rumination

    None taken.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Eeurk. Sorry for the prompt; smells really can remain in the nostrils for years awaiting reactivation. What a traumatic event in every way for you and the sister. Thing is with addicts and drunks is that their actions (or lack of actions in some cases) usually affect at least 10 other people in a significant way.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Danielle,

    pointless rumination

    None taken.

    ;)

    I reckon,
    Drugs,without the strict consistency of prescription legal ones, (but I guess that's debatable too) can be good for you one day, bad, the next.Quantity and or tolerance isn't necessarily the issue. Partaking is always a risk(buzz ?) because whenever you indulge, one should absolutely be prepared for that. To overdose can also be the least painful thing you will ever do. Close your eyes, feel the buzz, and..... wake up to the sound of the paramedics. Lesson for that is, share with your friends, then you wont be alone if you need a paramedic, because they can save you.
    That's why I now like marijuana the best, it's the least of a risk. And just as good.
    Jus' sayin'

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Hebe,

    What a traumatic event in every way for you and the sister.

    And it was a show day! I had to rush back across the road, have a shower and go in and record Media7. That went fine, though. What I do recall is stepping out of the shower, picking up the clothes I'd been wearing and my stomach suddenly heaving at the awful smell.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Danielle,

    I dunno... there are a lot of heavy drug users in the music industry who come out of it reasonably intact. Look at Bowie or Elton or Fleetwood Mac or David Crosby. And those are just some of the ones we know about.

    Yeah, but I reckon the ones we know about are the tip of the iceberg. The road to rock sucess is strewn with drug casualties that yer average punter has never heard of, and never will. Get rich first, then develop a smack habit, chaps*

    a combination of crack, heroin, ketamine, ecstasy and alcohol (aaaaaand now I have a QOTSA earworm, inevitably).

    But you're missing the C-C-C-C-C-COCAAAAAIIIIINE!!!11!!!!1!.

    *Joke. Actually, don't.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Countless security experts queued up to tell me so.

    Did they have Whale Oil?

    So, Mr Slater, you're a right-wing gun nut with a history of mental instability....

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe,

    Russell Brand on Amy Winehouse: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jul/24/russell-brand-amy-winehouse-woman

    He says it good. My last post on that; back to the snow and the adoration of the woodburner.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Murdoch's Media terrorism continues...
    Never ones to let the facts get in the way, I note that some Fox TV hosts and the Sun were saying up to 24 hours afterwards that the Norway attacks were the work of al qaeda, surely this is a form of terrorism - using intimidation for political ends - there oughta be a law against it...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Islander, in reply to Hebe,

    He does.
    But rehab isnt for everyone, and it doesnt work for everyone.
    Given her songs...it is just good that the songs are out there.
    Even when they cost so much of her.

    I'm also given to the adoration of the holy woodburner* - the power's been off a couple of time over the past 24 hours...

    * every resident here has at least 3 sources of power/heating - open fires/logburners, gas ranges, electricity(showers/ovens etc. etc.) or gasfired barbeques/hangi-steamers. Takes your picks -and survives warm & happy.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Hebe,

    Goodbye and Hello...

    For what it's worth, junkies often OD after they've been clean on and off for a while rather than staying consistently wasted. That's because their tolerance goes with a bit of clean time, they relapse back into using the same amount and because their tolerance is gone, they OD.

    Tim Buckley being a great example - but he's in the 28 club!
    While the grievous angel, Gram Parsons is in the 26 club...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Tim Buckley being a great example – but he’s in the 28 club!

    And his son was 30, although his death was accidental, it was no less tragic. Gone but not forgotten, as I suspect will be the case with Amy Winehouse.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to recordari,

    although his death was accidental

    Walking into a river fully clothed is accidental?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    with a history of mental instability

    You don't need to do that.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Tim Buckley! The in-head jukebox is on. Now I have to find Greetings from LA among the earthquake carnage.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

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