Lessons for Kiwis in Winehouse death

Amy Winehouse. Photo / supplied

The death of Amy Winehouse highlights the need to change the perceptions around drug and alcohol abuse, New Zealand Foundation executive director Ross Bell says.

While the exact cause of the acclaimed singer's death is not yet known, her long-running battles with drug and alcohol abuse are well documented.

Mr Bell said there was a lot to learn from piece in The Guardian written by comedian Russell Brand, a close friend of Winehouse, and also a formed addict.

Mr Brand wrote that society needs to review the way addicts are treated, "not as criminals but as sick people in need of care".

"All we can do is adapt the way we view this condition, not as a crime or a romantic affectation but as a disease that will kill," he said.

Mr Bell agreed.

"One of Russell's points was the media are quite quick to pick apart her life and I think - less so in the New Zealand media although we've done it before with Millie Holmes - the press in the UK and the US covers celebrity drug issues in quite an unsophisticated way.

"I think that can set attitudes or create some misunderstandings in the general population about the nature of addiction," Mr Bell said.

"For example you see celebrities going through the revolving doors of rehab in Hollywood - they get caught with some cocaine so they get treatment for a weekend and then come out again, then in the next scandal they quickly pop into treatment again.

"That gives a real false impression about the nature of what addiction is and the type of treatment services that people really do need to go through if they are in trouble.

"I think the notoriety, almost the glamorisation of it, particularly in the US ... really does give an uninformed sense of what the nature of addiction is."

Mr Bell said Winehouse was a typical case of someone leading a chaotic lifestyle because of their addiction.

"A lot of people said she should have just snapped out of it and I don't think the UK media hounding her would have made her recovery very easy. She was someone who had sought treatment on a number of occasions which is quite typical of someone with addiction, it is known as a chronic and relapsing medical condition, which is medical terminology for people fall off the wagon quite often and have to go into treatment services time and time again before they start on a longer journey through recovery."

Mr Bell believed most New Zealanders probably have a poor understanding of the nature of addiction.

"I think a lot of us have a view that people who use drugs or alcohol and get into trouble - they're to blame, it's their fault. It really misunderstands the nature of addiction as a diagnosable medical condition.

"I think there is a real stigma around people who do get addicted. That in turn can put real barriers in front of those who are in trouble and do want to seek help.

Mr Bell said a lot of families are affected by drug and alcohol addiction, but "because of this stigma New Zealand families are too scared to admit someone has a problem".

New Zealand surveys show many people who want to seek treatment do not know where to turn, Mr Bell said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug abuse and need help, go to www.drughelp.co.nz or call 0800 787 797 to find the appropriate treatment.