What Can Lindsay Lohan Teach Us About the Underlying Causes of Addiction?

So often, when reporting on celebs and addiction, the story focuses on bad behavior. Out-of-control starlets partying too hard and saying or doing thing that get caught on camera or result in a ride in the back of a cop car. What is more helpful – and certainly more insightful – is so to focus on the medical conditions and symptoms behind the bigger problem of substance abuse.

When entering a treatment program, the intake counselor gathers this sort of information to begin putting together a medical history that doctors and treatment specialists use to formulate a treatment plan.

As Linsday Lohan prepares for her Playboy spread, it’s easy to get caught up in debating the path she’s taking and whether her current decisions indicate she’s on the path to recovery. Instead, let’s look at the medical issues she has to overcome.

In doing an intake exam, Lohan should certainly mention ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While she doesn’t actually suffer from this condition, she did receive a diagnosis at one time, probably along with a big bottle of Adderall. Use and abuse of this drug in those who don’t need it can have severe negative effects, including (ironically) hyperactivity and manic behavior. Could ADHD drugs be to blame for some of Lohan’s more outlandish behavior? Could a dependence on these drugs have led her to move on to “bigger and better” drugs?

Lohan has admitted to abusing drugs and alcohol, mainly cocaine. Cocaine provides a burst of energy that is favored by those looking to party into the night, and this would have made it an obvious next step for Lohan. The alcohol then acts as a depressant, allowing the user to come down from the cocaine high. It can also lead to DUI arrests, which Lohan has experienced on more than one occasion.

So we know what she’s been using, but why did Lohan start using in the first place? I very high percentage of people batting addiction have accompanying mental health issues. Often, they start using in an attempt to self-medicate or feel “normal,” even if they haven’t been professionally diagnosed or are aware they have a problem. Lohan was actually professionally diagnosed – with bipolar disorder – but it turned out to be inaccurate. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other mental issues plaguing Lindsay. PTSD, depression, anxiety and a host of other issues could contribute to her decision to turn to drugs. The stress of life in Hollywood would only exacerbate those issues.

It’s that very stress that likely caused Lohan to develop an eating disorder, like countless young celebs and celeb wannabes before her. Bulimia, which consists of bingeing and then purging (or throwing up), leads to malnutrition and causes damage to your teeth and mouth. It’s an extreme disorder than begins with the desire to be thin or attractive, but usually relates more to a desire for control (pros will tell you eating disorders are rarely ever really about food). Lohan has received treatment for her bulimia, and seems to be on top of it, but sometimes dealing with one addiction can lead to the development of another if the underlying emotional issues aren’t fully addressed. That’s why it’s common for food addicts to begin abusing alcohol or turning to shopping or sex as a new outlet. It’s a danger than anyone in recovery knows they need to be aware of.

One of Lohan’s few medical conditions that doesn’t directly relate to substance abuse is asthma. While it’s severe enough that it’s led to hospitalization in the past, it doesn’t affect addiction issues, except that by not taking care of her physical health, it makes her more susceptible to asthma attacks.

Drug Treatment

If you or someone you love needs help with drug treatment, 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.