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Carlisle Hiding Relapse
Recovery is a lifelong process, as Go-Go’s frontwoman Belinda Carlisle proves in her new autobiography.
The ‘80s girl group the Go-Go’s brightened up a decade that would become known for neon and candy-coated pop. But the band’s lead singer, Belinda Carlisle, was hiding a dark secret while the band was seeing their biggest success. She was addicted to alcohol and cocaine. She eventually came clean about her drug addiction issues and became an outspoken proponent for recovery, going on to launch a successful solo career and become a spokeswoman for a variety of brands and products.
Now, in her new autobiography, Lips Unsealed, Carlisle makes the shocking admission that she wasn’t actually clean during that entire period of time. “I was clean from cocaine for probably about five years … but it crept back into my life,” Carlisle explained to CNN’s Larry King Live Blog. “It got to a point where I would feel so guilty whenever anyone asked, so I would just say I used the 12-step program as a guide for living. But after a certain point, I couldn’t blatantly lie and say I’m sober. I just couldn’t. I carried a lot of shame around about that. It was hideous to try and hide it. There were times when I was out and about – out of my mind – and people thought I was sober.”
Recovery in the Spotlight
It’s just another reminder of the dangers of getting clean in the spotlight. When celebrities go through substance abuse treatment, fans and the media watch them closely for signs of relapse. It’s also a topic that will continue to come up in interviews. With careers on the line, it can be difficult for those in the public eye to find a safe place to admit they’re struggling.
Carlisle hopes that sharing her story will offer hope to others struggling with addiction or working a program to stay clean. She adds that she’s been sober again for five years now. “I know you can never say never, but it’s off my radar,” she explains.
Relapse Help
If you or someone you love is relapsing from drugs or alcohol, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
