So, it turns out that smoking crack is bad for you…

Cocaine ‘damaged Winehouse’s lungs’

Amy Winehouse could struggle to catch her breath and hit high notes as a result of suffering emphysema, a lung expert has said.

The singer’s father spoke out at the weekend about his worries that Winehouse could lose her life unless she kicks her drug habit.

In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Mitch Winehouse said his daughter - who was rushed to hospital recently after collapsing - had developed the chronic lung disease emphysema, possibly brought on by smoking crack cocaine.

Bon Dobbs :: Jun.23.2008 :: Celebrities, Substance Abuse :: No Comments »

I’ll be writing again soon. I have about 10 new ideas for posts. What I wanted to respond to tonight is: What is the deal with my comment SPAM? I rail against Xanax for BPs and then I get 50 SPAM comments about buying Xanax without a prescription. WTF? I hate SPAMers - as I know all of you do too.

Bon Dobbs :: May.25.2008 :: Stats, Odds and Ends, Substance Abuse :: 1 Comment »

I read today that Heather Mills (on my standby list of celebs with possible BPD) is writing a “book” called “Get Healthy with Heather.” I really felt I had to put “book” in quotes because it’s only 64 pages - more of a booklet IMO. Personally, I think it should be called “Get Wealthy with Heather,” considering her $40 Million dollar settlement from Paul McCartney. Here is a gem of healthy wisdom from Heather:

Last November, she launched a campaign with vegetarian group Viva - which is also involved with her new book - encouraging people to drink rats’ and dogs’ milk to help save the planet.

Arguing that livestock creates more carbon emissions than transport, Heather suggested drinking the different milk could help cut global warming.

She said: “There are many other kinds of milk available. Why don’t we try drinking rats’ milk and dogs’ milk?”

Rats’ milk? Maybe she can show us how it’s done and drink it directly from the momma rat.

I wonder if her next book will be “Mental Health with Heather”? She needs some serious treatement for whatever condition she has. I find it sad that she is such a publicity hound. I guess her goody-goody reputation was impugned with all that nastiness with Paul. Maybe I need to do a long analysis of news stories to see where she lands on the celeb BPD-o-meter (hey, come to think of it, the celeb BPD-o-meter ain’t such a bad idea, hmmm…..). I know, I know, I’m pandering to the “celebrities with borderline personality disorder” crowd out there, but when 60% of my searches are about that subject, I guess I gotta feed the audience what they want (unless it’s rats’ milk - yuck!) - at least some of the time.

I do wish that some celeb would come out and be the face of BPD, maybe Sean Young? Her career needs a boost and some attention right now. And given that May IS BPD Awareness month, this would be a perfect opportunity for her (’course I don’t KNOW she has BPD, but her behavior begs the question).

Bon Dobbs :: May.21.2008 :: Celebrities, Odds and Ends, Substance Abuse, Borderline Personality Disorder :: 2 Comments »

I saw this story on television this morning. The emphasis is mine. The judge should be disbarred and fired IMO:

Magistrate Tells Man to Kill Himself

(WXYZ) - Court officials in Novi say a magistrate “could have chosen better words” when she told a man convicted of drunk driving and other offenses that he should commit suicide by jumping to his death or slitting his wrists in a bathtub.

52nd District Court Magistrate Judith Holtz made the shocking statements during a hearing on April 10 as she was sentencing 20-year-old Michael Robert Dickey on a charge of Minor in Possession of alcohol. Dickey had two prior convictions for drunk driving and, according to the court, “had failed to comply with his bond conditions to remain drug and alcohol free.”

According to court transcripts obtained by WXYZ, Dickey admitted to Holtz that he’d “made a lot of mistakes” — and that’s when she unleashed from the bench.

“I don’t mean to be offensive, but you have two Operating While Intoxicated convictions and then you blow a .223 and you’re still not twenty one?, Holtz said.

“Here is my suggestion to you, Mr. Dickey, climb up on the roof of your house and jump off; either that or get in a bathtub filled with hot water and slash your wrists; then you will be dead; it will be cheaper; it will be faster and in the long run it will be less painful to anybody who cares about you, because that’s where you’re headed now, and the best part of it is you won’t take somebody else with you.

“Who do you think you are? You don’t have the right to go out there and endanger innocent people and you know it. And you have had two convictions for drunk driving and you’re not twenty one and you still drink.”

Holtz is a veteran magistrate who joined the court in 1992 after practicing law for 18 years. She declined to talk with WXYZ about the tirade, but 52nd District Court officials offered an explanation late Monday.

“The words chosen by the Court’s magistrate to convey the seriousness and severity of the defendant’s actions and crime could have been better chosen,” the court said in a statement. “The magistrate was attempting to convey, through an analogy, that the defendant’s actions and past behavior has continually put the community at risk.”

The court’s statement to WXYZ also sought to prove Dickey remains a risk to the community. “It should also be noted that Mr. Dickey, at a probation appointment on May 12, 2008, tested positive for cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines in a urine screen.” Dickey has been sent to a rehab program.

Bon Dobbs :: May.15.2008 :: Odds and Ends, Suicide, Substance Abuse :: No Comments »

A few months ago a member of my Google Support List for Non-BP’s issued me a challenge. I have noticed that many people with BPD abuse prescription drugs, particularly anti-anxiety medication. Mainly the abuse seems to be of benzodiazepines (aka benzos) which include Xanax (generic alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam) and others (although those seem to be the most popular). I listened to a podcast by a psychiatrist who treats borderline patients. He says almost all of them eventually ask for Xanax.

Xanax has to be the absolute worst drug to treat BPD. Why?See the results of these (rather old) studies:

Alprazolam (benzodiazepine)

Gardner, D.L. & Cowdry, R.W.
Am. J. Psychiatry. 1985 - Alprazolam-induced dyscontrol in borderline personality disorder.
The short-acting benzodiazepine alprazolam has been associated with precipitating serious dyscontrol in one placebo-controlled crossover study of patients with BPD
The authors suggest that caution be used in prescribing alprazolam to patients with similar histories.

Alprazolam (benzodiazepine) / carbamazepine and trifluoperazine and tranylcypromine.

Cowdry RW, Gardner DL. - Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1988 - Pharmacotherapy of borderline personality disorder. Alprazolam, carbamazepine, trifluoperazine, and tranylcypromine.
Physicians rated patients as significantly improved relative to placebo while receiving tranylcypromine and carbamazepine. Patients rated themselves as significantly improved relative to placebo only while receiving tranylcypromine. Patients who tolerated a full trial of trifluoperazine showed improvement, those receiving carbamazepine demonstrated a marked decrease in the severity of behavioral dyscontrol, and those receiving alprazolam had an increase in the severity of the episodes of serious dyscontrol

My wife has gotten much better since I started on this quest of learning about BPD and what, as a loved one, I can do about it (and what I can’t). Yet, she still over-medicates on benzos. So, my list member basically issued me a challenge to see if there is anything I can figure out to do to reduce the pill taking. One member of the list locks up his wife’s pills and doles them out when she needs them. I hesitate to follow his example because I don’t want to be in the position of being my wife’s keeper. Plus, in the past when I have held her pills for her (usually at her request), I have been raged at for “hiding” or “stealing” them (neither of which I do).

Here is my question/challenge: Have any of you been able to come up with an effective way to reduce over-medicating on benzos? That question goes out to the people with BPD (if you have found a way yourself) and to the family members (if you have found a workable solution). This area is one where I have made little head-way and would like some help.

Thanks.

Bon Dobbs :: May.14.2008 :: Treatment, Substance Abuse, Borderline Personality Disorder :: 12 Comments »

I have created a new version of my book, which fixes some typos and clarifies some points. I also was able to drop the price! It’s now $19.95, instead of $20.95. Since it got 3 pages shorter, I will be able to make a decent profit at the lower price. That price anticipates the cost it will have to be when I get it on Amazon (shortly).

Anyway, I suggest you check out the preview, and pick up a copy (shameless self-promotion). You can see the preview or buy the printed or downloadable version of When Love is Not Enough at Lulu.com.

If you are one of my readers with BPD, I would suggest getting a copy for anyone with whom you’d like to have an on-going relationship. Why? Because this book teaches a “Non-BP” the attitudes and tools to be more effective and more validating toward someone with BPD. The purpose is to rebuild the lines of communication. Like I said in a previous post (or comment), if I can quote myself here:

The BP/Non-BP relationship seems to me to be one of misunderstanding and miscommunication. I hope that I can help each learn the language of the other. And I agree most public awareness is important - BUT it has to be the right kind of awareness - not the “stay away from these people” or “these people are evil” kind.

Enjoy!

Bon Dobbs :: May.13.2008 :: Pain, Treatment, Boundaries, DBT-FST, Resources, Impulsiveness, Suicide, Shame, Mindfulness, Validation, Lying, Manipulation, Self-Injury, Emotions, Substance Abuse, Parenting, DBT :: No Comments »

At long last (about six months of work and 2 1/2 years of research, experimentation and practice), my first book When Love is Not Enough (WLINE) has been published!

This book is a quick-start, how-to guide for Non-BPs. It spells out step-by-step WHAT to do in your relationship with someone with Borderline Personality Disorder (or BPD traits) and HOW to do it. Unlike other books on this subject (you guys probably know which ones I’m talking about), WLINE tells EXACTLY what to do. Through the use of attitudes and tools, WLINE can help you build mastery over your relationship, regain control of your life and develop a deeper understanding of your BP loved one. I highly recommend it (if I do say so myself).

Although WLINE is fairly short (about 185 pages), it is packed full insights, advice and practical skills to help you understand your BP and to reestablish the lines of communication. If you are a Non-BP, WLINE is an essential resource. If you have BPD, I would recommend that you recommend WLINE to your family members, partners and friends (that is, if they are aware of your disorder). WLINE helps to build the bridge of understanding, serenity and effective communication between Nons and BPs.

It could be the most effective $20.95 you’ve ever spent.

If you’d like to buy a printed or eBook copy of WLINE, I am selling the book through Lulu:

Buy the Book!

A note on the title… I kicked around a number of titles before settling on this one. It is my feeling that most Nons don’t understand that, in addition to love, they have to develop ATTITUDES and SKILLS to be effective in their relationship with a BP. WLINE actually innumerates these attitudes and skills and provides detailed examples of how to apply them. With a commitment to the relationship, application of the concepts in the book and PRACTICE, a Non can learn what IS enough in their relationship with a BP.

Bon Dobbs :: May.09.2008 :: Pain, Treatment, Boundaries, Shame, DBT-FST, Blame, Best of, Impulsiveness, Suicide, Resources, Mindfulness, Biology, Validation, Lying, Manipulation, DBT, Self-Injury, Anger, Substance Abuse, Parenting, Emotions, Borderline Personality Disorder :: No Comments »

Well, she got arrested again….

 

Amy Winehouse arrested on suspicion of drugs possession

13 hours ago

LONDON (AP) — Amy Winehouse was arrested Wednesday in connection with a January video that allegedly shows her doing drugs at a party at her north London home.

London’s Metropolitan Police said the Grammy winner was released on so-called police bail following several hours of questioning at a police station in the city.

Winehouse’s spokesman, Chris Goodman, confirmed that his client had been arrested Wednesday and held in police custody to answer police questions.

“Amy Winehouse voluntarily attended a London police station today by appointment. She was arrested in order to be interviewed and is cooperating fully with inquiries,” Goodman said in a statement.

“The interview relates to a video handed to police earlier this year,” he said.

Britain’s The Sun tabloid in January published still images from a video that it claimed showed Winehouse inhaling fumes from a small pipe. The images were said to have been filmed during a party at her home.

Winehouse, famous for her hit “Rehab,” has had a turbulent private life. Last month she was cautioned by police for assault after she slapped a man during a night out. That means no charges were filed, but the incident was placed on her record.

Shortly after The Sun published the photographs, Winehouse entered a London rehabilitation center.

Her release on police bail means she has not been charged with an offense, but that officers can recall her for more questioning at any time.

Bon Dobbs :: May.08.2008 :: Celebrities, Substance Abuse, Borderline Personality Disorder :: No Comments »

From CNN:

 Lindsay Lohan is not exactly toasting her latest public appearance.

 A mug shot of the 21-year-old actress, who has been in and out of rehab after two arrests last year on drunken driving and cocaine charges, was prominently featured Friday in an advertisement attacking legislation for devices that measure a driver’s blood alcohol level before their vehicle can start.

The full-page black-and-white ad appeared in USA Today on Friday and was paid for by the American Beverage Institute, a trade group that supports the interests of the alcohol industry. The ad reads “Ignition interlocks are a good idea for” above Lohan’s mug shot from her July 24, 2007, arrest and “But a bad idea for us” above smaller photos of people drinking.

“The reason that we used Lindsay Lohan is because she’s had multiple DUIs that have been high profile,” American Beverage Institute managing director Sarah Longwell told The Associated Press. “We needed to create the distinction for the public what someone with multiple DUIs looked like versus a low blood-alcohol-level first-time offender.”

Lawmakers in several states have passed bills that would require drunken driving offenders to pay for and install an ignition interlock system. Under many such laws, the interlock requirement extends to first-time offenders driving while “highly intoxicated” — or with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 percent or higher.

The ad suggested that ignition interlocks were fine for “hard-core” drunk drivers, but suggested they would bring an end to champagne toasts at weddings, wine at dinner and ballgame beers.

“USA Today is idiotic to run such an irresponsible advertisement suggesting that drinking and driving is some kind of American ‘tradition’ we should protect,” Lohan’s lawyer, Blair Berk, said in a statement. “Not identifying that this ad was paid for by the liquor and restaurant industries is profoundly reckless.

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“Drunk, white businessmen, drunk housewives out for girls night out and drunk wedding parties should be kept off the roads of America,” Berk continued. “Lindsay Lohan fully endorses ignition interlock devices, which have been well-proven to save lives.”

The American Beverage Institute stood by its use of Lohan’s image.

“People magazine, Smoking Gun and a lot of people have republished this mug shot,” said Longwell. “It was publicly accessible. We’re not using it for any kind of commercial gain. So we’re well within our rights to use it.”

Reached for comment about Berk’s statement, USA Today spokesman Ed Cassidy issued the following statement: “Advocacy advertising is a big part of what we do. Our pages function as forum for competing views.”

Frankly, I think she looks pretty good (bad Bon!). The last thing I need is another BPDish woman in my life (yeah, like I’d have a chance with her - she’s half my age - almost). She’s on my top five list of possible BPD celebs - which I need to update soon. After giving Pete Doherty the royal research treatment, I think it behooves me to give the rest of the bunch the same. Soon to come!
 

Bon Dobbs :: May.03.2008 :: Celebrities, Substance Abuse, Borderline Personality Disorder :: 3 Comments »

OK, well, the other day I posted on how Pete Doherty has jumped to the top of my Celebrities with Borderline Personality Disorder (possibly, but not for sure) list. Why? Well, he just released a series of paintings done in his own blood. Let’s examine the other “evidence” of possible BPD….

(For those of you who don’t know who Pete Doherty is: he’s the lead singer of two British bands: Babyshambles and the Libertines. He dated Kate Moss and he is a regular in the tabloids in London for his erratic and criminal behavior.)

Self-Harm

Painting in one’s own blood seems to indicate self-harm. Here’s another article about Doherty’s self-harm.

Quotes from the self-harm article:

Graphic footage of rock star Pete Doherty deliberately harming himself will not appear in a forthcoming fly-on-the-wall documentary about the former Libertines’ singer, as had been feared by mental health charities.

The scenes of Doherty cutting himself with a broken bottle feature in a rough edit of the documentary, to be shown on BBC3 on Sunday 28 August. The images of Doherty slashing his chest, taken from the edit, were leaked to the national press last week, raising concerns about his mental health.

Substance Abuse

Well, duh… He’s been put in jail numerous times for drug offenses, including heroin and cocaine abuse.

Quotes:

He appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court to face charges of possessing heroin and cocaine.

The 26-year-old was arrested by police after he was spotted driving a speeding car in west London on 30 November.

The former Libertines singer has continually been in the headlines over his drug abuse and his relationship with model Kate Moss.

He is due to reappear at Ealing Magistrates Court on 8 February.

The prosecution said police pulled Mr Doherty over after he was spotted speeding and officers said he had a glazed look.

He was found to have three packets of heroin, with a weight of 0.875gm (0.03oz), and one packet containing 0.234gm (0.008oz) cocaine.

Inappropriate Anger

More quotes:

Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty has been fined £750 after he admitted assaulting a BBC reporter in March.

The star pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates’ Court to kicking a microphone out of her hand outside the same court after a separate appearance.

In a statement, the 27-year-old said: “If I hurt this lady I’m sorry.”

The star, who is currently being treated for drug addiction, was also ordered to pay £250 compensation and another £200 in court costs.

Painful hand

He had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault by beating after he kicked out at Radio 1 Newsbeat’s Trudi Barber.

His defence lawyer, Sean Curran, said Doherty changed his plea after watching television footage of the attack.

Indentity Issues

He’s turning to Islam? I wonder how long that will last.

Quotes:

One of Doherty’s friends said: “He’s been reading the Quran since he went into segregation. He’s got a lot of Muslim friends and they’ve been on at him for ages to study it. Now he’s on his own and he’s got time on his hands to study it.

“I’m surprised how much it has calmed him down as he was very on the edge inside. He definitely seems more chilled. He’s lapping it up and really interested in it. I think it’s helping him in there.”

Doherty has been having a difficult time since his 14-week sentence began for violating probation by taking drugs.

Volatile Relationships

The UK hottest couple, Pete Doherty and Kate Moss, split up, after the beautiful supermodel dumped Pete, arguing she cannot stand his way of life anymore, always worrying about him.

On July 22, 2005, Pete Doherty was involved into
a street fight. British newspapers The Sun and Daily Mirror reports that Pete and musician friend Alan Wass fought with a group of Somali youths after they shouted “crackhead” at him.

Farid Khan of Supersave store in Camden Town, said: “The singer ran in pursed by six man. There was a big fight. We got them out but they hurled a brick at the door.”

Kate reportedly told friends: “I can’t go on spending day and night worrying about Pete. He would disappear without a word and I would not hear from him for days. He has to change his lifestyle. Until that happens we are finished.”

Sexual Confusion

DOHERTY: ‘I WAS A GAY RENT BOY AND DRUG DEALER’

Troubled rocker PETE DOHERTY has shocked fans by boasting he worked as a homosexual prostitute and drug dealer to fuel his drug addictions, before he shot to fame in his former band THE LIBERTINES.

The wild singer confesses he was so desperate for money to fund his cocaine and heroin habits, he worked as a rent boy and once robbed a gay client after tying him up at his home.

Dangerous Driving

Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty has been fined £300 and disqualified from driving for two months.

The 27-year-old admitted two charges of driving without insurance or a licence at Thames Magistrates Court in London.

District Judge Jane McIvor warned the singer that he faces jail if he drives without a licence again.

The rock star was arrested in November 2006 by officers who spotted him driving his Jaguar erratically near his east London home.

Shame

So you’ve got this support act, some posh bloke with a discomfited smile, slowly eating himself from the inside out from pure embarrassment. One guy with a guitar strumming idle fancies like ‘The Blue Ridge Mountains Of Dakota’, incapable of holding a note or playing a tune, and, what’s worse, he clearly hates himself for it. Pretty soon, he’ll be dead. And then he’s joined by a nonchalant Doherty in trenchcoat and hat. The place breaks out into hysteria. I’m blinded by about twenty camera phones flashing, then I’m nearly sucked under by the wave surging forward. Even Doherty, the boy in the bubble, advises everyone to move back because there’s a girl in the front whose eyes are bulging.

Suicide Attempts

Pete Doherty tried to kill himself in rehab after discovering that Kate Moss was dating a new man. British tabloids tattled that the ‘Babyshambles’ singer downed an entire bottle of pills-he just ended up making himself ill.

“He saw an opportunity to take an overdose and took it. He told me he didn’t know what the pills were but thought ‘fuck it’ and took them all,” says a NOW insider.

“He doesn’t care what drugs do to him—in fact, he likes finding out.”

“To begin with Kate was ringing him up all the time, concerned for his well-being.”

“But when Pete started to quiz her about the new guy, she was evasive and it got to him. She messed with his head.”

Impulsive Behavior

Anthony Thornton, the reviews editor of NME and an authority on The Libertines, said: ‘Pete is at a lower point than he was a year ago. He’s hit depths he didn’t even know existed. He’s not aware of how bad a state he’s in, and the drugs make it worse. He’s incredibly impulsive, he doesn’t take on responsibilities, he’s unreliable and likely to do himself harm.

Unsafe Sexual Behavior

I think anyone who was a male prostitute qualifies in this regard.

So, ole’ Pete hit just about all the categories that I applied to other celebrites. While I am not a doctor and can’t officially diagnose anyone… Pete Doherty looks suspiciously like he may have Borderline Personality Disorder (or something very close to it). And everyone, you will notice that I used mainly news articles in this analysis (with a bit of blogging, didn’t have time to look up interviews for shame - although I’ve been told he says he hates himself and he is a bad person).

Here’s his Wikipedia entry.

Bon Dobbs :: Apr.28.2008 :: Suicide, Impulsiveness, Celebrities, Shame, Substance Abuse, Self-Injury, Anger, Borderline Personality Disorder :: 3 Comments »