'Epidemic' of Prescription Drug Abuse in Hollywood

By Rob Shuter Posted Mar 11th 2010 02:00AM

As fans of Corey Haim still try to figure out exactly what led the talented former teen star down the road that eventually ended in his overdose death, those in the Hollywood know are worried that things have spiraled far out of control when it comes to prescription medication abuse. One doctor tells me that the amount of bogus prescriptions among celebrities is staggering, and it's only a matter of time before there's another death.

Prescription Abuse in Hollywood

The tragic death of Corey Haim at only 38 years old has many Hollywood insiders and doctors worried about the number of stars that regularly abuse prescription medication.

"This is definitely an epidemic," Dr. Eric Braverman, founder of PATH Medical Center, tells me. "So many famous people abuse prescription drugs because doctors like them and want to have celebrities as patients, therefore they do whatever is necessary to appease them."

It's an alarming and sad fact resulting in one Hollywood insider revealing: "I can guarantee you right now that many of your favorite stars are taking some sort of pill prescribed by a medical professional." Doctors, including Dr. Braverman, argue that prescription pills are potentially more dangerous then illegal drugs "due to the fact patients believe they are safe and doctor controlled."

Unfortunately, unless something is done soon, it won't be long until we add another name to the list that already includes Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, Brittany Murphy, Heath Ledger and now Corey Haim.

Kate Will Use Kids ... And Sex! ... to Win

Type-A personality Kate Gosselin is determined to do whatever she can to make sure she wins the 'Dancing With the Stars' mirror ball trophy even if it means showing a little leg and her eight beautiful kids.

"Kate is competitive about everything she does and is in this to win it. She has an amazing body and isn't shy about showing it off, especially if it gets her votes," a friend of the mom of eight tells me.

She's also not above using her kids to help her win either. "If for one second Kate thinks she is going to get voted off, expect eight little faces to be sitting on the front row cheering for mommy."

You're an evil genius, Katie!

Farrah's Oscar Snub Angers the Industry

The ridiculous snub of poor Farrah Fawcett at this year's Academy Awards has angered many actors in the television community, but not because of the way the Oscars treated Farrah.

"It's hilarious how many TV celebrities who are now worried that their death might not be acknowledged in a fitting manor when they finally kick the bucket," one high level agent tells me. "The fact that actors can make the Farrah snub about themselves is amazing."

Yet no one will say anything on the record, all too afraid it might hurt their Oscar chances when they make a movie!

God bless actors!

Tags: corey haim

Comments

(22)

Thursday 11 March

By liliann

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'their death might not be acknowledged in a fitting manor'? What? Their death might not be acknowledged in a residence large enough?
What kind of idjits do you have 'writing' for you? Obviously ones that flunked elementary grammar...

By cassideee2

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LOL, liliann, I caught that, too! Really, where do they get their writers and proof readers... or WHAT 'writers' one might ask!

By Wish Belkin

Lol, good one.

By travelergtoo

Fawcett is supposed to get an academy award for DYING?

By Bill Baka

Farrah was also a movie star. Remember "The Burning Bed" and other non-television movies she made? OK, the 'bed' may have been a made for TV, but still the snub was a bit too much snobbery on the part of the academy.
Henry Gibson and Bea Arthur were more famous than some of the producers and people I never heard of, so what is the stick up the Oscar's collective butts? I have also seen both Avatar and the Hurt Locker (it hurt to watch) and thought that hurt really did hurt and was not only amateurish but just another war movie not really worth the mention. There was nothing in it to advance the state of movie making, as there was in Avatar. Perhaps the academy did not like Avatar exposing true human nature.

Should Fawcett get an academy award for because she died?

By Johnny

sounds like it was the own persons fault for not knowing more about what he was taking, we cant protect everyone from everything, or else everything would be illegal. Too many things already are that shouldnt be and these morons need to be accountable to their own actions, they werent forced to take drugs

By valeskas

If the druggies want to continue with their down spirale, fine with me. These people in movies, on tv, singers, who cares. They destroy their own life. Michael was a druggie, Britanny was a druggie and Haim everyone knew he was a drug head. So please, Corey Feldman shut up, these people who are suppossed to be role models for our children, if you belief the studios. Its time we stopped this trend and everyone were we hear anything about drugs, should be dropped like a hot potato. It kills our children.

By sbrn

It's time to go after the gold-digging doc's who are prescribing these needless medications to the stars! Just because they are wanting stars for patients they are prescribing anything to keep them? Let's start making the doc's accountable too, and maybe this will stop.

By maxiesmom067

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'Epidemic' of Prescription Drug Abuse in Hollywood: NO! Really? Please! This is just nature's way of culling the herd. When the newest group of overnight sensations moves in, the has-beens and the lesser-known fringe group, the one-hit wonders usually called reality stars, are almost REQUIRED to drown their sorrows and mask the overwhelming pain of disappointment in copious amounts of alcohol and drugs, ultimately leading them to cross-over to make room! I mean, seriously, if Lindsay doesn't step aside soon, it'll mess up the whole natural order of things! (And please don't tell Al Gore or he'll devise a way for the middle class taxpayer to subsidize the drugs for these poor souls!)

Monday 15 March

By hayseed

Yes, I read the first paragraph but is this really news? And does anybody really care when prescription drugs became the craze in Hollywood? Get real people...there have always been "stars" in hollywood who spend more time stoned than straight. Actors tend to be a different breed.

They are making the doctors accountable. I'm not sure of the progress of the case, but there are charges against the doctor that prescribed drugs to Anna Nicole Smith. I believe the doctor's name is Khristine Ershovich (sp?) and Anna's "boyfriend/attorney" Howard K. Stern. He enabled Anna, gave her whatever she wanted regarding drugs, etc, and now they're both being charged. Google it, I don't know the details, but this is the gist of it.

By Rusty

I work as a counselor with D&A patients. The idea that limiting the doctors involvement will change anything for these people in Hollywood is ridiculous. These doctors are worthless bottom-feeders, but the actors/actresses are struggling with a disease of addiction. Nobody can help them until they are ready to help themselves. I deal with people on a daily basis that have nothing in this world but the clothes on their back, and yet they were still able to obtain and use drugs everyday for months or even years before they came in to treatment. Easy access to prescription medications is not the cause of their problems.

Monday 29 March

By anon

If Kate puts her kids in the front row Im sure TLC and her team (and those in the media they've paid to) will spin as an "oh isnt that cute! They're cheering mom on" moment. But it was her obvious exploiting of her kids for money that makes her controversial in the first place so tread carefully TLC and Kate...it may backfire. I personally will not be watching.

By joanjmak05

I honestly do not feel bad for Corey Haim at all, he's had so many people try and help is sorry ass and he plain out refused their help. Not all child stars grow up to be drug addicts, he knew exactly what he was doing and he is the one who chose path in which he lived. Yes it's sad but he did this to himself.

By rob SHUTER

i think doctor should be held accountable.

Friday 12 March

By barbie

Who do you think is making the most money off creating narcotic drug abusers ? It isn't the doctor, its the pharmaceutical industry that is raking in billions of dollars each year by producing the drugs. Those in the industry know the numbers, they know how much production of the drugs have gone up and they are laughing all the way to the bank !

By Dennis Robart

So the writers can't spell? They are younger than 35, and didn't have REAL teachers like we did, the kind who HIT you when you were lazy in class!

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