The ignorance of the psychiatrist who said alcoholics don’t bring booze to work is astonishing. And the Ferguson clip is wonderful. I’ll bet he saved a life or two that night.
Yes, it is. I had too long time corporate jobs. The CEO’s always had a bar in their office and guys (not saying women didn’t, I just didn’t see them) kept booze in their desks. Put it in their cokes and coffee cups. The offices didn’t change much throughout the years except they had to smoke outside. It was very Mad Men.
What a tool; getting into his ridiculous theories. Just explaining the prior 48 hours should have blown the silly theory up. Unless...she was lying about her drinking. I did that shit; spent years lying to psychiatrists; they say u cant drink at all if you want antidepressants or any treatments...so no f-- way Id ever be honest about drinking...thinking I could be fixed and still keep drinking. Which is what I thought was the only point to life: work for $ so you can drink with a roof over you and other amenities instead of under a bridge.
Medical professionals need so much more training on addiction, whether they're doctors, nurses, or anyone else in health care. That doctor's ignorance could've cost your life. Good for you for standing up for yourself.
Fame and addiction are a lethal combo. Most of us are blessed to go through our dark times without the press peeking down our blouses or up our shorts. Thank you Lord. 🙏
I struggle with accepting that I can do nothing to help or change my friend, who cannot seem to recover her sobriety. She was sober for over a decade and is in active relapse now, and all I can do is not watch and not help. She knows what to do and she cannot seem to do it. Watching someone kill themselves is torture. (I’m not seeking advice here)
So sorry you’re going through this. I watched a similar story until he drank himself to death. I hope your friend’s story is different, but you’re right about her having to choose sobriety. Please take good care.
I had some legendary sessions on airport layovers- never ended well. I worked in an office where one of the secretaries just put her empty beer cans in the trash bin under her desk (whaa?). I've always found Craig's courage and humor inspiring. Thank you~
This is a great monologue. One I'll be sharing. Thanks for introducing me to it. You've also reminded me of being in a psychiatric ward the night Amy Winehouse's death was reported. Yes, the feeling was one of empathy, because 'she was one of us'.
I don't think people in the main are maliciously wrong about what alcoholism is like. They just find themselves in far deeper existential waters than they've known and reach for easy answers.
This was excellent. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences and your very insightful take on how there is gender bias here, with addiction, as well as everywhere else in our lives. Also, Craig Ferguson is amazing. I miss seeing him on my Telly.
Katie MacBride: Craig Ferguson says it correctly: Despite the audience's unknowing laughter -- from habit, because I can see he is capable of subtle, underspoken and great wit -- the helpless or addicted deserve help.
Honestly, I could see that a person, in such despair to do what Britney Spears did, could be drivién to suicide by constant harassment and belittling.
Mr. Ferguson calls attention to a very important point.
One must have at the forefront: The human worth and dignity of each person, no exceptions.
The reason, as Mr. Ferguson points out, why we should make fun of the powerful is simple: They HARM people.
Each person is to be cherished, nurtured, protected and safe.
It really is simple, and the callousness of the world wreaks tragedy.
Thank you for sharing that video. I hadn’t seen it before. It was uncomfortable in the beginning as the audience were clearly confused (or were enjoying other people’s suffering) and thought he was joking.
I literally said "WOW" out loud while reading this. Brilliant essay! I feel so much compassion for Britney and the others affected by a toxic substance that is glamorized in our society. I fell into its trap for many years before getting sober at age 51. I really enjoyed the Ferguson video, too. His ending was priceless... you can find help at the front of the telephone book:) Thank you for sharing!
The ignorance of the psychiatrist who said alcoholics don’t bring booze to work is astonishing. And the Ferguson clip is wonderful. I’ll bet he saved a life or two that night.
right?! even at the time, i was like, that seems…inaccurate
Yes, it is. I had too long time corporate jobs. The CEO’s always had a bar in their office and guys (not saying women didn’t, I just didn’t see them) kept booze in their desks. Put it in their cokes and coffee cups. The offices didn’t change much throughout the years except they had to smoke outside. It was very Mad Men.
What a tool; getting into his ridiculous theories. Just explaining the prior 48 hours should have blown the silly theory up. Unless...she was lying about her drinking. I did that shit; spent years lying to psychiatrists; they say u cant drink at all if you want antidepressants or any treatments...so no f-- way Id ever be honest about drinking...thinking I could be fixed and still keep drinking. Which is what I thought was the only point to life: work for $ so you can drink with a roof over you and other amenities instead of under a bridge.
Medical professionals need so much more training on addiction, whether they're doctors, nurses, or anyone else in health care. That doctor's ignorance could've cost your life. Good for you for standing up for yourself.
it helped that I had a MUCH better doctor in the actual psych ward
A wonderful article and a really great clip from Craig.
Something about him talking about his Sobriety has just always resonated with me.
Fame and addiction are a lethal combo. Most of us are blessed to go through our dark times without the press peeking down our blouses or up our shorts. Thank you Lord. 🙏
I struggle with accepting that I can do nothing to help or change my friend, who cannot seem to recover her sobriety. She was sober for over a decade and is in active relapse now, and all I can do is not watch and not help. She knows what to do and she cannot seem to do it. Watching someone kill themselves is torture. (I’m not seeking advice here)
That’s so hard, I’m sorry you’re going through that. Sending love to you and your friend.
So sorry you’re going through this. I watched a similar story until he drank himself to death. I hope your friend’s story is different, but you’re right about her having to choose sobriety. Please take good care.
I had some legendary sessions on airport layovers- never ended well. I worked in an office where one of the secretaries just put her empty beer cans in the trash bin under her desk (whaa?). I've always found Craig's courage and humor inspiring. Thank you~
This is a great monologue. One I'll be sharing. Thanks for introducing me to it. You've also reminded me of being in a psychiatric ward the night Amy Winehouse's death was reported. Yes, the feeling was one of empathy, because 'she was one of us'.
Thank you for this.
Airports are still difficult for me. And I was also a gal who could drink the fellas under the table. Boastful about what a “great drinker” I was.
A lifetime of vigilance. That’s right Craig.
Thanks for this essay, Katie.
Thank you!
Powerful stuff, both from Craig and from you.
I don't think people in the main are maliciously wrong about what alcoholism is like. They just find themselves in far deeper existential waters than they've known and reach for easy answers.
This was excellent. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences and your very insightful take on how there is gender bias here, with addiction, as well as everywhere else in our lives. Also, Craig Ferguson is amazing. I miss seeing him on my Telly.
Katie MacBride: Craig Ferguson says it correctly: Despite the audience's unknowing laughter -- from habit, because I can see he is capable of subtle, underspoken and great wit -- the helpless or addicted deserve help.
Honestly, I could see that a person, in such despair to do what Britney Spears did, could be drivién to suicide by constant harassment and belittling.
Mr. Ferguson calls attention to a very important point.
One must have at the forefront: The human worth and dignity of each person, no exceptions.
The reason, as Mr. Ferguson points out, why we should make fun of the powerful is simple: They HARM people.
Each person is to be cherished, nurtured, protected and safe.
It really is simple, and the callousness of the world wreaks tragedy.
I really appreciate your post today!
Thank you for sharing your story
Appreciate you reading it!
Thank you for sharing that video. I hadn’t seen it before. It was uncomfortable in the beginning as the audience were clearly confused (or were enjoying other people’s suffering) and thought he was joking.
I literally said "WOW" out loud while reading this. Brilliant essay! I feel so much compassion for Britney and the others affected by a toxic substance that is glamorized in our society. I fell into its trap for many years before getting sober at age 51. I really enjoyed the Ferguson video, too. His ending was priceless... you can find help at the front of the telephone book:) Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! And I love that Ferguson monologue so much!
Thanks for sharing. Very good message for everyone.
thanks for reading!