Britney Spears’ Childhood: An Addiction Specialist Explains How It Shaped Her Behavior Today
“She’s sort of our new Michael Jackson,” says Dr. Drew Pinsky as he talks about the traumas in Britney’s past — her father’s substance abuse, and a family history of mental imbalance — and how they may explain her current mental state
US: What in Britney Spears’ childhood led her to where she is now?
DP: It’s how her father treated her, it’s the divorce and it’s the genetics.
US: How would her father’s substance abuse affect Britney?
DP: At least 60% of addiction is accounted for on the basis of genetics. I’ve never treated an addict that didn’t have a family history of the disease. You have to inherit it from somewhere.
“We know that she is a drug addict because she’s been admitted to a treatment center. You can’t be admitted unless you’ve met criteria for addiction.
US: A person can’t be accepted for post-partum depression?
DP: If you go to a psychiatric hospital for post-partum depression, you go to the psychiatric hospital, you don’t go to the chemical dependency program. She is a drug addict. It is an indisputable point.
“And she has a parent with an addiction. Just by having a parent with addiction puts you at about a 50% risk for having your own addiction problem. But, just because you have a genetic heritage doesn’t mean you’re going to get an addiction. A childhood trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, will also propel a person towards full-blown addiction.
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:10 am
I really wish they’d back off a bit. This latest ‘claim’ is completely unfair- whether it be true or not. Nobody wants their private lives (especially concerning parents) revealed in such a way.
I know Britney has had some serious behaviour issues recently but the fact remains that this girl has never done anything wrong to anyone but herself- so why so much hatred towards her? She’s been a pop princess, married, 2 kids in a row, a divorce, an ex trying to steal her kids away obviously for money settlement- all very, very stressful!! She doesn’t need the media criticizing her every single move. I’m not suggesting she has been behaving like an angel, but we all make silly mistakes, she happens to make more than most.
Wouldn’t surprise me if she’s going mad at this point.
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:49 am
She has hardly been making silly mistakes…her mistakes are jeopardizing other people-how can you say she hasn’t done anything wrong to anyone but herself? Her children WILL suffer from the instability in their lives, THIS IS A FACT- the first 5 years of a child’s life are the most important for emotional and pysical development…if she had experienced some sort of childhood trauma she should know this and not be such an ignorant cunt…one thing wrong with our society is that everyone needs to blame something or someone for their actions instead of taking responsibility and taking control of their lives…many people have had childhood experiences that were traumatic or have lived with addiction…but it all boils down to the CHOICES WE MAKE IN LIFE.
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:53 am
duh Chris. The public would leave her alone if she’d go away. Let me put it another way. GO AWAY BRITNEY! We are so over watching you flop. I truly wish you’d go away and get better, your babies deserve a mother, your career is nothing. You have 2 babies whom you apparently hate while your Gramma killed herself for the one she couldn’t have. Shame on you. Go away and take your ‘phants with you.
November 23rd, 2007 at 8:53 am
DONT READ THE SHIT IF YOU CAN”T STAND IT! ^^^ DUH.
You should “go away” from reading the Britney gossip.
November 23rd, 2007 at 10:14 am
To: “Leave her alone”
I agree with you, it has become a bit too much. She is treated in the media like the worst peron on earth. And for all the bitchy remarks after the original poster- it was already stated that he/she doesn’t necessarily agree with Britney’s action. How the hell is all the negativity being hurled at her from every direction going to help her be a better mother/daughter/singer- whatever!??
I am NO WAY a Britney fan, but the way this girl is treated is very cruel. So is it only ok to read gossip rags if we agree with the hostility? I like the gossip as much as everyone, but like everything in life there are lines that don’t need to be crossed. And like someone said- we’ve had enough of bizarre britney news so LEAVE HER ALONE.
November 23rd, 2007 at 10:26 am
I can’t stand Britney nor any of the other “pop princesses” but I think snooping into her family’s past is totally uncalled for.
It’s a power game with the media; they like to bring her up and then tear her down. They won’t settle till she’s dead, even if she moved it won’t make a difference.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:06 am
why cant everyone leave her alone there is no fucking need she is ace she does what she wants and dont you lot ,everyone just noes about her i mean i think evryone over 16 has taken some kind of drug hers are just a bit xtreme and who cares its her life she is fucking up not ares so leave her alone and go get a life for someone else to fuck up x