The First Step is Admitting You Have a Problem

So it's been in the media that Cory Monteith (of Glee fame) has admitted himself to rehab for substance abuse. As an avid fan of Glee and Monteith's partner, Lea Michele, I was shocked at the news but so wonderfully pleased at the reaction of Michele and Monteith's other co-stars. 

We were seeing tweets such as the following: 

Kevin McHale:  'Love u @CoryMonteith, so proud of you :) 

Harry Shum, Jr.: ' Supporting @CoryMonteith for his courageous decision. Get well soon my friend! Proud of you!'

Jenna Ushkowitz: 'Sending lots of love and light to @CoryMonteith. We love you.'

Amber Riley: 'I support you big bro, love you to life. So proud of you @CoryMonteith get well soon'

Chris Colfer: 'Anyone who helps themselves is a hero in my book.'

Dot Marie Jones: '@CoryMonteith Sweetest man, so proud of you taking care of you. We are and will always be here for you. I love you always, stay strong'

Iqbal Theba: 'I love u Cory @CoryMonteith and support u all the way.. c u on the set, soon.'

and Michele's own words of comfort: ''I love and support Cory and will stand by him through this. I am grateful and proud he made this decision.'

I was aware of Monteith's history of substance abuse knowing that in his teenage years he suffered addiction and it led him down various unhealthy paths. But then and now he has done something about it. He spoke of acting helping him and I believe the decision he has made to be highly courageous and worthy of support. 

He might have ended up like other substance abusing celebrities we've seen such as Lohan or Bynes in recent months. But Cory has gone and done something to help him before allowing his fans or the public at large to see him out of control. 

As I was reading an article about it this morning, I was dismayed reading some of the comments. One in particular stood out to me. 

Blah blah blah, iv got loads a money a beautiful girlfriend a great job but poor me! Yeah right try minimum wage at Walmart mate then you will realise your life isn't so bad. Actors...pathetic wanton creatures.

- Holographic Universe , Manchester, 02/4/2013 11:57

And the worst part is that I knew that Monteith was a Walmart greeter, earning minimum wage before he found acting. 

I was unable to reply to this comment but in my mind I was desperate to call this to peoples' attentions. Actors do not live in some kind of blissful fantasy life. They are human too. 

We have a huge problem in global society of ignorance. People thinking that actors, celebrities, famous people are immune to life's challenges. They have issues with conceiving children, addictions, family deaths, money problems - things that affect the average Joe affect Mr Hollywood also. We, as humans, can't escape these demons. 

I wish people would take a step back and look at this from Cory's point of view. He's struggled with this addiction his whole life and battled against it, through acting, to get to where he is today. He's worked in rubbish jobs for rubbish pay and risen to the top. And now, when he's off his game slightly, he's been active in his wish to correct his mistakes and make his life better.

That's something to admire - not his 'loads a money a beautiful girlfriend a great job' - his dedication to himself. 

Ignorance is bliss, but it's also the greatest problem in our society. We have a problem and I'm admitting to it. If only there were rehabilitation for addiction to ignorance.