When someone takes their own life, we are left wondering if there was something we could have done. When addiction or abuse plays a role, it is twice as sad, because the tragedy seems preventable with the right treatment.
Country singer Mindy McCready died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her Arkansas home on a sunny February Sunday afternoon. As soon as news got out about the loss of the troubled 37-year-old crooner, fellow singers began offering their condolences.
Carrie Underwood quickly tweeted, "I grew up listening to Mindy McCready ... so sad for her family tonight. Many prayers are going out to them." Wynonna Judd sent out a series of tweets aimed at educating those who might misunderstand substance abuse. "It breaks my heart what addiction continues to take from this life," she said, adding, "Addiction is a disEASE & not a character flaw. When the pain becomes too much, it causes people to want that pain to stop. This is just so unbelievable & so sad."
The negative stigma around addiction continues, despite attempts to educate the public about the realities of addiction and substance abuse. Shame over being unable to stop using can contribute to suicidal feelings and hopelessness.
McCready’s death was the last stage in her long battle with addiction and mental illness, a battle she often waged publicly. She appeared in the third season of the VH1 show Celebrity Rehab in 2009, seeking help for codependence and other mental health issues. Arrests in 2004 and 2005 involved charges of illegally obtaining OxyContin and DUI.
McCready’s friends and loved ones were concerned for the fragile star after her boyfriend and father of her 10-month-old son died of an apparent suicide last month. The baby and her six-year-old child (the subject of a bitter custody battle between McCready and her mom) were reportedly taken from the home following her boyfriend’s death, and McCready was urged to seek treatment.
Dr. Drew Pinsky, who treated McCready on Celebrity Rehab, reached out to her following her boyfriend’s death and urged her to get help. Sadly McCready is the fifth celebrity to pass away since appearing on Pinsky's show. Other season three alums Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr and Real World participant Joey Kovar both died of overdoses. Rodney King and Jeff Conaway, who both appeared in season two, died after their appearances on the show.
McCready’s death is a stark reminder of how pervasive and pernicious the disease of addiction can be and that we all need to reach out to those waging this battle. If you or someone you love needs treatment for addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. We are here for you 24 hours a day.
