Biggest Addiction News of 2013

In the year 2013 there was a lot of different stories and news released that dealt with addiction. Some were bigger stories than others but still tons of addiction news. I picked out what I considered to be the biggest addiction news of 2013, so here ya go!

Biggest Addiction News of 2013: Elizabeth Vargas Heads to Rehab

News anchor Elizabeth Vargas (ABC) has gone public with her choice to enter treatment for alcohol dependence, hopeful it will give others “the courage to seek help.” “Like so many people, I am dealing with addiction,” she confirmed in a statement. “I realized I was becoming increasingly dependent on alcohol, and feel fortunate to have recognized it for the problem it was becoming. I am in treatment and am so thankful for the love and support of my family, friends and colleagues at ABC News. Like so many others, I will deal with this challenge one day at a time. If coming forward today gives one other person the courage to seek help, I’m grateful.”

Biggest Addiction News of 2013: Florida & Toronto Politicians Behaving Badly

Florida Congressman Trey Radel has taken a leave of absence from the House until the end of the year and has gone into drug rehab after being arrested for possession of cocaine. But Trey Radel wasn’t the only Florida politician involved in a drug scandal this year. Mayor Barry Layne Moore of Hampton, FL was also recently arrested for retailing and ownership of oxycodone. Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto also was in the headlines for addiction news. He admitted that he had smoked crack, possibly in one of his “drunken stupors.” The leading admission came outside his office to reporters; he later held a news conference in which he made an apology, and said he knew that he mortified everyone in the city and let them down.

Biggest Addiction News of 2013: Jonathan Rhys Battles Addiction

Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who is frequently known for his roles in The Tudors and Mission Impossible and now the star of the new NBC show Dracula, has opened up recently about his struggles with alcoholism and depression. The star has been to rehab at least a half a dozen times and was hurried to the hospital after a supposed suicide attempt. The Irish actor, who has long battled with substance abuse issues, allegedly didn’t get paid the majority of his salary for the vampire drama until filming had completed.

Biggest Addiction News of 2013: Director Adam Shankman Heads to Rehab

Adam Shankman (best known for directing Modern Family, Glee and Hairspray) has admitted himself into rehab this year. It is still unidentified why he is seeking treatment; but his family and friends are happy he is getting professional help for whatever he is going through. Adam Shankman is presently seeking treatment in a rehabilitation center; his friends and family support him and wish him well on his journey to recovery.

Biggest Addiction News of 2013: Addiction in Sons of Anarchy

Addiction definitely isn’t the main theme of this show but SOA does a great job in truthfully portraying addiction recovery. Showrunner Kurt Sutter and his wife Katey Sagal (plays Gemma Teller on SOA) are both in recovery themselves. Katey Sagal was newly the winner of a PRISM Award, which acknowledges the precise representation of substance abuse and mental illness: prevention, treatment and recovery in film, television, interactive, music, DVD, and comic book entertainment.

Biggest Addiction News of 2013: Jenna Jameson Being Accused of Being High During an Interview

Jenna Jameson appeared on Good Day New York to promote her first novel “Sugar.”  The 39-year-old former adult film star seemed to be a bit out of it during the interview, slurring her words and twitching in her seat. Jameson was planned to appear on two parts but her interview was cut short due to her strange behavior, according to TMZ. Jenna has been accused in the past of having an addiction to Oxycontin but claims during this interview she was just tired.

Biggest Addiction News of 2013: Affluenza Defense?

Affluenza defense came about when a judge decided to give 16 year old Ethan Couch 10 years of probation for the driving in his Ford F-350 on June 15^th and striking four people, all four were killed. A psychologist testified in the trial that as a result of affluenza the boy shouldn’t receive the maximum 20 year prison sentence. He plead guilty to manslaughter and assault while intoxicated, he was speeding and had Valium and alcohol in his blood. Affluenza was said to have been used to define a condition in which children (mostly from richer families) have a sense of privilege, are irresponsible, make rationalizations for unfortunate behavior, and occasionally experiment in drugs and alcohol.

With all of this addiction news from 2013, it leaves me with hopes for a much better 2014 for those suffering with addiction issues. The biggest addiction news of 2013 is worth the hype if any of it helped even one addict or alcoholic to get sober. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll free 1-800-951-6135.