Mindflux said:

Oh and, by the way, what Tony Van Dam wrote was partly bollocks. He's right about some of the reasons that people may start to take drugs, but the rest is entirely wrong. Particularly this;

"Drug users are always trying to escape the realities of their lives, plain and simple. Instead of being real men/real women by owning up to their responsibilities of their realities, then choose to take drugs as a mean to escape from those responsibilities."

That is utter shite - it can be true, but not always - you can't generalise about these things.

I happen to take drugs to enhance certain things. I've been taking drugs for over 20 years - all in moderation and in control. The other musicians I work with have been the same. I'm not escaping the reality of my life - the reality of my life is exactly what I want it to be. I'm very happy - I do the job I love, I pay all my taxes, I have a family, I don't steal, I'm not escaping from anything. I simply use drugs to achieve certain effects and insights and then express that with my music or, simply, just have a laugh with my mates.

Rhetoric of Tony's kind comes from someone with no experience and who thinks he's got it sussed - I mean, it fits the profile of what the government and media want you to believe - that people who take drugs can't handle "normal" life (whatever that is!) and are good-for-nothings who just want to escape from reality and responsibility. That will be true for a certain section of people (usually, those who are disadvantaged and live in poverty - and who wouldn't want to escape that?! However, drugs aren't really the answer to escaping problems).

I don't fit that description that Tony has offered and neither do a lot of the people I know. Its insulting and is no different to any other prejudice (assuming that a certain section of people behave in a certain way), like racism for example.

Excuse you Mindflux, but I've have been down that road a few times dealing with as well as drinking hard alcoholic beverages. Crown Royale w/ used to be my signature drink before going out to party every Saturday Night within my 20-something years. But after a bad experience of drinking liquor tube shots on top of Nighttrain that resulted in a drunking rage that could have gotten me killed, I've never mess with hard liquor ever again (I still drink an occasion wine once a year, but THAT'S it!).

And with all due respect, you have to be absolutely naive OR in total denial if you think it's not about escapism. I've seen too many cases of people taking acid & MDMA right in front of me to know damn good and well that they're taking drugs to escape from their problems & responsilbilities temporary.

If you want to believe that it isn't about escapism, when why you're not able to stop using the drugs that you have been using for the last 20+ years? If you're so in control, then why not just stop taking drugs once and for all?

I'm at a disadvantage because I don't know you at all. But I do know that you will most likely not stop using drugs because for the time being, you can't! You not "in control" like you want all of us to believe. Therefore, you need to stop being in denial of the fact that you do not know how to quit taking the drugs yet.

Can y'all take the personal drug-use debates to GD, please? This is about AMY, NOT YOU.

TonyVanDam said:

Mindflux said:

Oh and, by the way, what Tony Van Dam wrote was partly bollocks. He's right about some of the reasons that people may start to take drugs, but the rest is entirely wrong. Particularly this;

"Drug users are always trying to escape the realities of their lives, plain and simple. Instead of being real men/real women by owning up to their responsibilities of their realities, then choose to take drugs as a mean to escape from those responsibilities."

That is utter shite - it can be true, but not always - you can't generalise about these things.

I happen to take drugs to enhance certain things. I've been taking drugs for over 20 years - all in moderation and in control. The other musicians I work with have been the same. I'm not escaping the reality of my life - the reality of my life is exactly what I want it to be. I'm very happy - I do the job I love, I pay all my taxes, I have a family, I don't steal, I'm not escaping from anything. I simply use drugs to achieve certain effects and insights and then express that with my music or, simply, just have a laugh with my mates.

Rhetoric of Tony's kind comes from someone with no experience and who thinks he's got it sussed - I mean, it fits the profile of what the government and media want you to believe - that people who take drugs can't handle "normal" life (whatever that is!) and are good-for-nothings who just want to escape from reality and responsibility. That will be true for a certain section of people (usually, those who are disadvantaged and live in poverty - and who wouldn't want to escape that?! However, drugs aren't really the answer to escaping problems).

I don't fit that description that Tony has offered and neither do a lot of the people I know. Its insulting and is no different to any other prejudice (assuming that a certain section of people behave in a certain way), like racism for example.

Excuse you Mindflux, but I've have been down that road a few times dealing with as well as drinking hard alcoholic beverages. Crown Royale w/ used to be my signature drink before going out to party every Saturday Night within my 20-something years. But after a bad experience of drinking liquor tube shots on top of Nighttrain that resulted in a drunking rage that could have gotten me killed, I've never mess with hard liquor ever again (I still drink an occasion wine once a year, but THAT'S it!).

And with all due respect, you have to be absolutely naive OR in total denial if you think it's not about escapism. I've seen too many cases of people taking acid & MDMA right in front of me to know damn good and well that they're taking drugs to escape from their problems & responsilbilities temporary.

If you want to believe that it isn't about escapism, when why you're not able to stop using the drugs that you have been using for the last 20+ years? If you're so in control, then why not just stop taking drugs once and for all?

I'm at a disadvantage because I don't know you at all. But I do know that you will most likely not stop using drugs because for the time being, you can't! You not "in control" like you want all of us to believe. Therefore, you need to stop being in denial of the fact that you do not know how to quit taking the drugs yet.

Its not that I'm not able, I just don't want to, its that simple. The drugs I take have had positive effects for me and I enjoy doing them. If I felt they weren't then I would stop using them. In fact, there are some drugs that I no longer take, because I didn't feel they were benefitting me. That may seem strange to some people, but it is possible. I also don't take them with the kind of frequency that I used to when I was younger. That all points to someone who is IN CONTROL and able to moderate what they do. Some people can't do that and I've also seen that first-hand too. But that's just not me. Maybe its luck, maybe its just who I am - at least I can recognise it.

You're right - you don't know me at all. My friends and family do and they know that I am fine. I take some drugs because I choose to. If it were a case that I was addicted, then I wouldn't be having this conversation with you. I'm being entirely open and honest in the hope of having an informed debate. I wouldn't expose myself unnecessarily otherwise. And you might have experienced people doing it for escapism - but escapism in to fantasy is one thing, escapism from problems in your life is something else.

So, please don't try and tell me that I'm being controlled or that I'm in denial - I'm firmly in control, believe me and perfectly confident of who I am and the choices I make! I have a successful career and all is going well. And when I decide that I've gained enough experience in certain aspects of my life, I'm totally confident that I can draw a line (no pun intended) under it. Please don't assume that everyone is the same as the people you've met. They're certainly not the same as the people in my circle.

http://www.eonline.com/ub..._musicnews

Amy Winehouse's Jailed Ex-husband Inconsolable over her death

Today 7:07 07252011

Amy Winehouse and her jailed ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, suffered a terrible, drug-fueled marriage.

But that doesn't mean the man Winehouse aptly called Blake Incarcerated isn't torn up over her death.

What did he have to say about her?

MORE: The original report...my's death Russell Brand's Tribute to Amy Winehouse

Play Celebs React to Amy Winehouse's Death

Play Amy Winehouse Found Dead

"I will never ever again feel the love I felt for her," he told his girlfriend Sarah Aspin, who was granted a special visit by prison officials in order to console him. "Everybody who knew me and knew Amy knew the depth of our love. I can't believe she's dead." Aspin related his comments to the U.K.'s Sun.

Fielder-Civil, who last month began serving a 32 month sentence for burglary and firearm possession at Leeds' Armley Jail, is now under close watch by guards because he is so upset and keeps sobbing uncontrollably.

Aspin had told the paper that her baby daddy called her on Saturday after he was informed about the "Rehab" singer's sudden death. She characterized him as "devastated and shattered."

"I just couldn't console him," she said. "He was in total shock. Blake is the father of our son. But I saw him and Amy together and I know they were really in love and they were soulmates. She always loved him and he always loved her, but it was just never going to work."

Aspin said that even though there was lingering love between Fielder-Civil and Winehouse, their relationship ultimately soured when Aspin became pregnant.

The "Back to Black" singer, who had recently made one last attempt at recovery, and Fielder-Civil hooked up in 2005 and were married in Miami two years later. They split in 2009.

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b254213_amy_winehouses_jailed_ex-husband.html#ixzz1T87EgtJh

[Edited 7/25/11 8:39am]

Serena said:

Can y'all take the personal drug-use debates to GD, please? This is about AMY, NOT YOU.

I did politely ask this to happen a few posts ago - but people keep coming back with stuff that requires a response.

I apologise - if anyone wants to continue their debate with me, then PM me.

TonyVanDam said:

Mindflux said:

Oh and, by the way, what Tony Van Dam wrote was partly bollocks. He's right about some of the reasons that people may start to take drugs, but the rest is entirely wrong. Particularly this;

"Drug users are always trying to escape the realities of their lives, plain and simple. Instead of being real men/real women by owning up to their responsibilities of their realities, then choose to take drugs as a mean to escape from those responsibilities."

That is utter shite - it can be true, but not always - you can't generalise about these things.

I happen to take drugs to enhance certain things. I've been taking drugs for over 20 years - all in moderation and in control. The other musicians I work with have been the same. I'm not escaping the reality of my life - the reality of my life is exactly what I want it to be. I'm very happy - I do the job I love, I pay all my taxes, I have a family, I don't steal, I'm not escaping from anything. I simply use drugs to achieve certain effects and insights and then express that with my music or, simply, just have a laugh with my mates.

Rhetoric of Tony's kind comes from someone with no experience and who thinks he's got it sussed - I mean, it fits the profile of what the government and media want you to believe - that people who take drugs can't handle "normal" life (whatever that is!) and are good-for-nothings who just want to escape from reality and responsibility. That will be true for a certain section of people (usually, those who are disadvantaged and live in poverty - and who wouldn't want to escape that?! However, drugs aren't really the answer to escaping problems).

I don't fit that description that Tony has offered and neither do a lot of the people I know. Its insulting and is no different to any other prejudice (assuming that a certain section of people behave in a certain way), like racism for example.

Excuse you Mindflux, but I've have been down that road a few times dealing with as well as drinking hard alcoholic beverages. Crown Royale w/ used to be my signature drink before going out to party every Saturday Night within my 20-something years. But after a bad experience of drinking liquor tube shots on top of Nighttrain that resulted in a drunking rage that could have gotten me killed, I've never mess with hard liquor ever again (I still drink an occasion wine once a year, but THAT'S it!).

And with all due respect, you have to be absolutely naive OR in total denial if you think it's not about escapism. I've seen too many cases of people taking acid & MDMA right in front of me to know damn good and well that they're taking drugs to escape from their problems & responsilbilities temporary.

If you want to believe that it isn't about escapism, when why you're not able to stop using the drugs that you have been using for the last 20+ years? If you're so in control, then why not just stop taking drugs once and for all?

I'm at a disadvantage because I don't know you at all. But I do know that you will most likely not stop using drugs because for the time being, you can't! You not "in control" like you want all of us to believe. Therefore, you need to stop being in denial of the fact that you do not know how to quit taking the drugs yet.

paisleypark4 said:

TonyVanDam said:

Excuse you Mindflux, but I've have been down that road a few times dealing with as well as drinking hard alcoholic beverages. Crown Royale w/ used to be my signature drink before going out to party every Saturday Night within my 20-something years. But after a bad experience of drinking liquor tube shots on top of Nighttrain that resulted in a drunking rage that could have gotten me killed, I've never mess with hard liquor ever again (I still drink an occasion wine once a year, but THAT'S it!).

And with all due respect, you have to be absolutely naive OR in total denial if you think it's not about escapism. I've seen too many cases of people taking acid & MDMA right in front of me to know damn good and well that they're taking drugs to escape from their problems & responsilbilities temporary.

If you want to believe that it isn't about escapism, when why you're not able to stop using the drugs that you have been using for the last 20+ years? If you're so in control, then why not just stop taking drugs once and for all?

I'm at a disadvantage because I don't know you at all. But I do know that you will most likely not stop using drugs because for the time being, you can't! You not "in control" like you want all of us to believe. Therefore, you need to stop being in denial of the fact that you do not know how to quit taking the drugs yet.

I dont mean to butt in....I just have to say that just because one bad experience caused you to stop cold turkey, does not mean that the next person's non negative experience should end too. Just because you didnt use your experience in your art or talent like Mindflux does not mean his should end. Hell look at The Beatles, Parliament/Funkadelic, Marley, Hendrix...where would their music have been without a lil' toke every now and again? Such classic albums would have never been made. Sometimes the tuning out of the societal handcuffs has it's advantages. The escape-ism lets you see parts of yourself away from the controlled pieces of who you actually want to be. Depending on who you are..can have positive or negative results. "A drunken man's word is a sober man's thoughts"

Precisely - thank you

And, no worries for butting in - you are most welcome. That said, I have tried to bring this debate to a close, as I don't want it to hijack the thread. But thanks again for your contribution.

Peace.

Great talent, but unlike Brand I wouldn't use the word genius to apply to her minuscule body of work or vocals.

Now that she's gone I do wonder if she would garnered half as much media coverage were it not for her life off-stage. She seemed to struggled with being in the spotlight. She had a third incomplete album of songs that we're sure to hear within the next 2 years. I'm interested in knowing the artistic direction shewas going.

Did she escape the darkness toward the end? It's so comforting to think that she did.

Mindflux said:

Serena said:

Can y'all take the personal drug-use debates to GD, please? This is about AMY, NOT YOU.

I did politely ask this to happen a few posts ago - but people keep coming back with stuff that requires a response.

I apologise - if anyone wants to continue their debate with me, then PM me.

Thanks!

Identity said:

Great talent, but unlike Brand I wouldn't use the word genius to apply to her minuscule body of work or vocals.

Now that she's gone I do wonder if she would garnered half as much media coverage were it not for her life off-stage. She seemed to struggled with being in the spotlight. She had a third incomplete album of songs that we're sure to hear within the next 2 years. I'm interested in knowing the artistic direction shewas going.

Did she escape the darkness toward the end? It's so comforting to think that she did.

She got a lot of attention before all the outside drama, just not so much in the U.S. until Back to Black was released. She wasn't on hard drugs until that ass Blake got her into them, which was after BtoB, even her father has confirmed that's when it started.

As far as I'm concerned, that jerk can rot in jail for a longgg time!

I really want to wait until more official details come out, but Perez reported this:

It's been a very tough couple of days, but Amy's parents seem to be holding up well.

On Saturday after news came out that Amy Winehouse had passed away, sources had told us that drugs were likely not responsible for her death.

Then yesterday, Amy's parents spoke out about her death, and they were both devastated with the news…but didn't think that drugs were involved at all.

When asked about reports that Amy had bought "cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy hours before she died," her parents said that it was all "nonsense."

Police have confirmed that no signs of drugs were spotted in her house, and her doctor had reportedly given her the "all clear" the evening before her death, so we can certainly see why Amy's parents don't think drugs were involved.

We'll find out more when the toxicology reports come in, but in the meanwhile, we just hope that her parents stay strong during this incredibly difficult time.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Amy's family, friends, and loved ones.

I will respond properly when I have time because Amy is one of all-time favorites (even with her limited discography). I just wanted to say that I have a feeling she died of a heart attack brought on by years of damage from eating disorders and drugs/alcohol. I don't think she overdosed.

A lot of people think Karen Carpenter died of an eating disorder, but she didn't. She died from cardiac arrest.

I don't even care why she died. The fact that she is dead is devastating enough. I've been blown away by her voice/lyrics since I discovered her in 2006. RIP Amy.

Mindflux said:

TonyVanDam said:

Excuse you Mindflux, but I've have been down that road a few times dealing with as well as drinking hard alcoholic beverages. Crown Royale w/ used to be my signature drink before going out to party every Saturday Night within my 20-something years. But after a bad experience of drinking liquor tube shots on top of Nighttrain that resulted in a drunking rage that could have gotten me killed, I've never mess with hard liquor ever again (I still drink an occasion wine once a year, but THAT'S it!).

And with all due respect, you have to be absolutely naive OR in total denial if you think it's not about escapism. I've seen too many cases of people taking acid & MDMA right in front of me to know damn good and well that they're taking drugs to escape from their problems & responsilbilities temporary.

If you want to believe that it isn't about escapism, when why you're not able to stop using the drugs that you have been using for the last 20+ years? If you're so in control, then why not just stop taking drugs once and for all?

I'm at a disadvantage because I don't know you at all. But I do know that you will most likely not stop using drugs because for the time being, you can't! You not "in control" like you want all of us to believe. Therefore, you need to stop being in denial of the fact that you do not know how to quit taking the drugs yet.

Its not that I'm not able, I just don't want to, its that simple. The drugs I take have had positive effects for me and I enjoy doing them. If I felt they weren't then I would stop using them. In fact, there are some drugs that I no longer take, because I didn't feel they were benefitting me. That may seem strange to some people, but it is possible. I also don't take them with the kind of frequency that I used to when I was younger. That all points to someone who is IN CONTROL and able to moderate what they do. Some people can't do that and I've also seen that first-hand too. But that's just not me. Maybe its luck, maybe its just who I am - at least I can recognise it.

You're right - you don't know me at all. My friends and family do and they know that I am fine. I take some drugs because I choose to. If it were a case that I was addicted, then I wouldn't be having this conversation with you. I'm being entirely open and honest in the hope of having an informed debate. I wouldn't expose myself unnecessarily otherwise. And you might have experienced people doing it for escapism - but escapism in to fantasy is one thing, escapism from problems in your life is something else.

So, please don't try and tell me that I'm being controlled or that I'm in denial - I'm firmly in control, believe me and perfectly confident of who I am and the choices I make! I have a successful career and all is going well. And when I decide that I've gained enough experience in certain aspects of my life, I'm totally confident that I can draw a line (no pun intended) under it. Please don't assume that everyone is the same as the people you've met. They're certainly not the same as the people in my circle.

Fair enough. Just as long as you're not hurting anyone around you, there is nothing to debate at all. At the end of the day, it's still freedom of choice.

Serena said:

Can y'all take the personal drug-use debates to GD, please? This is about AMY, NOT YOU.

Greycap asked a question and I've answered it. Just go back a few pages of this thread and see for yourselves before you called yourself playing a hero for brownie points.

No one can talk about the legecy of Amy Winehouse without meaning drugs to some extent. Remember, she died of a drug overdose.

paisleypark4 said:

TonyVanDam said:

Excuse you Mindflux, but I've have been down that road a few times dealing with as well as drinking hard alcoholic beverages. Crown Royale w/ used to be my signature drink before going out to party every Saturday Night within my 20-something years. But after a bad experience of drinking liquor tube shots on top of Nighttrain that resulted in a drunking rage that could have gotten me killed, I've never mess with hard liquor ever again (I still drink an occasion wine once a year, but THAT'S it!).

And with all due respect, you have to be absolutely naive OR in total denial if you think it's not about escapism. I've seen too many cases of people taking acid & MDMA right in front of me to know damn good and well that they're taking drugs to escape from their problems & responsilbilities temporary.

If you want to believe that it isn't about escapism, when why you're not able to stop using the drugs that you have been using for the last 20+ years? If you're so in control, then why not just stop taking drugs once and for all?

I'm at a disadvantage because I don't know you at all. But I do know that you will most likely not stop using drugs because for the time being, you can't! You not "in control" like you want all of us to believe. Therefore, you need to stop being in denial of the fact that you do not know how to quit taking the drugs yet.

I dont mean to butt in....I just have to say that just because one bad experience caused you to stop cold turkey, does not mean that the next person's non negative experience should end too. Just because you didnt use your experience in your art or talent like Mindflux does not mean his should end. Hell look at The Beatles, Parliament/Funkadelic, Marley, Hendrix...where would their music have been without a lil' toke every now and again? Such classic albums would have never been made. Sometimes the tuning out of the societal handcuffs has it's advantages. The escape-ism lets you see parts of yourself away from the controlled pieces of who you actually want to be. Depending on who you are..can have positive or negative results. "A drunken man's word is a sober man's thoughts"

I'm not a musician. But thanks for the valid point.

Tony & Mindflux thank you guys...

getxxxx said:

*picture*

Thats soooooo sad

I hope somebody helped her out during that moment. Wonder when that was taken.

MidniteMagnet said:

I will respond properly when I have time because Amy is one of all-time favorites (even with her limited discography). I just wanted to say that I have a feeling she died of a heart attack brought on by years of damage from eating disorders and drugs/alcohol. I don't think she overdosed.

A lot of people think Karen Carpenter died of an eating disorder, but she didn't. She died from cardiac arrest.

I don't even care why she died. The fact that she is dead is devastating enough. I've been blown away by her voice/lyrics since I discovered her in 2006. RIP Amy.

my heart goes out to you...and it's easy to say drugs but though it wouldn't surprise me, I want to wait for the real story too cause I last heard she was doing better which is why the death shocked me

[Edited 7/25/11 10:19am]

MidniteMagnet said:

I will respond properly when I have time because Amy is one of all-time favorites (even with her limited discography). I just wanted to say that I have a feeling she died of a heart attack brought on by years of damage from eating disorders and drugs/alcohol. I don't think she overdosed.

A lot of people think Karen Carpenter died of an eating disorder, but she didn't. She died from cardiac arrest.

I don't even care why she died. The fact that she is dead is devastating enough. I've been blown away by her voice/lyrics since I discovered her in 2006. RIP Amy.

PDogz said:

noimageatall said:

Rhonda B posted this blog on FB from Rusty Redenbacher...what do you think?

http://rustyredenbacher.t...se-is-dead

Some valid points, but overall; a bit too preachy, for me. I wasn't one of those that celebrated Amy's train-wreck of a life, nor was I a fan of "Rehab". I acknowledged that she was a talented artist, but that was the extent of my participation in her world.

I didn't celebrate it either...I never bought her stuff. I will say that she was talented but she was pretty much off my radar. Nevertheless, the blog is right on in many aspects and can be true for other artists and celebrities as well. I loathe all the reality shows...and "talk" shows like Maury make me sick.

MidniteMagnet said:

TonyVanDam said:

SCNDLS said:

SOME of these muthafuckas need to shut the hell up considering what THEIR asses were doing at 27, and 37, and some of them right now. It's just a luck of the draw that they didn't end up the SAME way. People and their opportunistic self-righteousness and judgment are a fucking trip.

[Edited 7/24/11 7:20am]

The irony of Nikki's statement is that he actually did died of a heroin overdose and was then successfully brought back to life within a minute later.

Where exactly is the irony in his statement? If somebody knows that drugs suck it's him. Maybe Winehouse fate is a lesson to some.

Here is another comment from him:

Said Nikki: "I don't know the inner workings of that immediate family — meaning, her managers and record company — and her immediate immediate family — mother and father, if she had brothers and sisters — and I don't know her band. In all the societies that we have, we have enablers, and these enablers will allow someone like myself who was a drug addict to keep using rather than face the possibility of getting fired or pushed to the side. And they just don't want to upset the apple cart, and what happens is people die. In my situation, that's happened to me. I had so many close calls that I look back on it, why did nobody step up and say , 'You know what?! If you keep using drugs, we're not gonna release your records. If you keep using drugs, we're not gonna book your tours.' etc. etc. I don't know in her world, I don't know what her struggles were on that level. I know on an addiction level, heroin, alcohol, coke, pills… it's the same. Until you make up your mind that you wanna quit, there's no amount of people around you that are gonna get you to quit. I don't really know the story behind it except that it's sad. She was a very talented young person that had a lot to give. And unfortunately, as cold as this may sound, some have to die so that the rest of us can live."

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=161096

getxxxx said:

**PICTURE**

You lack style and maturity. May you grow into a less ignorant person.

dJJ said:

getxxxx said:

**PICTURE**

You lack style and maturity. May you grow into a less ignorant person.

What did that person do? Really?

[Edited 7/25/11 11:10am]

I'm just disgusted even more with society in general about how they don't understand addictions and mental health, and how they are all saying it's drugs and she overdosed when we don't know the story. Some mj fans I know are doing it too, hypocrites! I'm not even huge on Amy and can see it for what it is. Like I said, drugs will not surprise me, but I'm not drawing conclusions until we know the truth, cause I did last hear that she's beginning to manage better when I came across that bit of info.

I swear some people just love to see themselves in boards...

Anyway, whatever happened in Amy's final 24 hours, let her rest.

PatrickS77 said:

TonyVanDam said:

The irony of Nikki's statement is that he actually did died of a heroin overdose and was then successfully brought back to life within a minute later.

Where exactly is the irony in his statement? If somebody knows that drugs suck it's him. Maybe Winehouse fate is a lesson to some.

Here is another comment from him:

Said Nikki: "I don't know the inner workings of that immediate family — meaning, her managers and record company — and her immediate immediate family — mother and father, if she had brothers and sisters — and I don't know her band. In all the societies that we have, we have enablers, and these enablers will allow someone like myself who was a drug addict to keep using rather than face the possibility of getting fired or pushed to the side. And they just don't want to upset the apple cart, and what happens is people die. In my situation, that's happened to me. I had so many close calls that I look back on it, why did nobody step up and say , 'You know what?! If you keep using drugs, we're not gonna release your records. If you keep using drugs, we're not gonna book your tours.' etc. etc. I don't know in her world, I don't know what her struggles were on that level. I know on an addiction level, heroin, alcohol, coke, pills… it's the same. Until you make up your mind that you wanna quit, there's no amount of people around you that are gonna get you to quit. I don't really know the story behind it except that it's sad. She was a very talented young person that had a lot to give. And unfortunately, as cold as this may sound, some have to die so that the rest of us can live."

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=161096

Her fate won't be a lesson, because addiction is what it is. Its not like nobody knows that there is a risk in taking drugs to start with.

Furthermore Nikki's further statement reveals a lot - it reveals that he blames everyone else for his addiction saying "these enablers will allow someone like myself who was a drug addict to keep using" and then goes on to say that "why did nobody step up and say , 'You know what?! If you keep using drugs, we're not gonna release your records."

But then he reveals a contradiction by admitting some sort of truth "Until you make up your mind that you wanna quit, there's no amount of people around you that are gonna get you to quit."

So, what was it Nikki - was it everyone else's fault "allowing" you to be a drug addict, or was it the fact that, actually, you didn't stop until you decided to stop. Its somewhat of a contradiction what he says. Sure, he understands what addiction is like and what drugs can do, but he doesn't seem to understand what kept him an addict.

Timmy84 said:

I swear some people just love to see themselves in boards...

Anyway, whatever happened in Amy's final 24 hours, let her rest.

I'm not sure I understand the first part of your statement - what do you mean?

Mindflux said:

PatrickS77 said:

Where exactly is the irony in his statement? If somebody knows that drugs suck it's him. Maybe Winehouse fate is a lesson to some.

Here is another comment from him:

Said Nikki: "I don't know the inner workings of that immediate family — meaning, her managers and record company — and her immediate immediate family — mother and father, if she had brothers and sisters — and I don't know her band. In all the societies that we have, we have enablers, and these enablers will allow someone like myself who was a drug addict to keep using rather than face the possibility of getting fired or pushed to the side. And they just don't want to upset the apple cart, and what happens is people die. In my situation, that's happened to me. I had so many close calls that I look back on it, why did nobody step up and say , 'You know what?! If you keep using drugs, we're not gonna release your records. If you keep using drugs, we're not gonna book your tours.' etc. etc. I don't know in her world, I don't know what her struggles were on that level. I know on an addiction level, heroin, alcohol, coke, pills… it's the same. Until you make up your mind that you wanna quit, there's no amount of people around you that are gonna get you to quit. I don't really know the story behind it except that it's sad. She was a very talented young person that had a lot to give. And unfortunately, as cold as this may sound, some have to die so that the rest of us can live."

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=161096

Her fate won't be a lesson, because addiction is what it is. Its not like nobody knows that there is a risk in taking drugs to start with.

Furthermore Nikki's further statement reveals a lot - it reveals that he blames everyone else for his addiction saying "these enablers will allow someone like myself who was a drug addict to keep using" and then goes on to say that "why did nobody step up and say , 'You know what?! If you keep using drugs, we're not gonna release your records."

But then he reveals a contradiction by admitting some sort of truth "Until you make up your mind that you wanna quit, there's no amount of people around you that are gonna get you to quit."

So, what was it Nikki - was it everyone else's fault "allowing" you to be a drug addict, or was it the fact that, actually, you didn't stop until you decided to stop. Its somewhat of a contradiction what he says. Sure, he understands what addiction is like and what drugs can do, but he doesn't seem to understand what kept him an addict.

I think both statements are true, though. An addict won't be able to quit until they are ready, but I also believe an addict can become ready with the reminders from those they love of the truth that these addicts already know within themselves, but are just afraid to face.

Addicts tend to surround themselves with other addicts because they don't remind them that they are killing themselves. They enable and in turn are enabled, without the nasty reminders. If others enable you too, there is almost no hope for a person.