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Drew: Don't Confuse "Sober" with "Abstinent"
- By Stanton Peele
- Published 10/1/2009
- Celebrity News
- Unrated
Stanton Peele

Stanton Peele, Ph.D., J.D., is an internationally recognized addiction expert and author of a number of books including
7 Tools to Beat Addiction
Resisting 12-Step Coercion
Addiction Proof Your Child
Site: www.peele.net
Psychology Today blog: Addiction in Society
This blog isn't addressed to Dr. Drew (he's hopeless).
It's addressed to Drew Barrymore, who has announced that she still drinks.
For those of us who have tracked Drew Barrymore's career - in which she appeared on the cover of People magazine as "America's youngest addict" at age 13, then attempted suicide after entering addiction treatment (with addiction experts falling all over themselves to point out she inherited her addiction from both parents, as well as from her famously alcoholic grandfather, John), then published "Little Girl Lost" at 14 - she stands as America's perfect addict.
Except she's not, and she instead stands as a beacon to the bullshit of the American recovery saga.
At age 32, in 2007, she was selected by People as one of the world's most beautiful people.
Why? Because she's lively, successful, seems to enjoy her multifaceted social and sex life . . . and she drinks!
Drew finally admitted what was obvious.
With America waiting with bated breath, in a new Parade magazine article, she declares: "I'm not (sober) and I don't claim to be - quite the opposite.
"I've tried to find the balance. I hope it's balanced."
In other words, she's no longer alcoholic or addicted, but she still drinks.
That will happen when a 13-year-old grows up, works hard at her career, develops friends and a support system, and embraces the positives in life.
Oh, remember you heard it first here - every recovery expert and AA chapter in America will tell you it's impossible.
Stanton Peele Addiction Website
It's addressed to Drew Barrymore, who has announced that she still drinks.
For those of us who have tracked Drew Barrymore's career - in which she appeared on the cover of People magazine as "America's youngest addict" at age 13, then attempted suicide after entering addiction treatment (with addiction experts falling all over themselves to point out she inherited her addiction from both parents, as well as from her famously alcoholic grandfather, John), then published "Little Girl Lost" at 14 - she stands as America's perfect addict.
Except she's not, and she instead stands as a beacon to the bullshit of the American recovery saga. At age 32, in 2007, she was selected by People as one of the world's most beautiful people.
Why? Because she's lively, successful, seems to enjoy her multifaceted social and sex life . . . and she drinks!
Drew finally admitted what was obvious.
With America waiting with bated breath, in a new Parade magazine article, she declares: "I'm not (sober) and I don't claim to be - quite the opposite.
"I've tried to find the balance. I hope it's balanced."
In other words, she's no longer alcoholic or addicted, but she still drinks.
That will happen when a 13-year-old grows up, works hard at her career, develops friends and a support system, and embraces the positives in life.
Oh, remember you heard it first here - every recovery expert and AA chapter in America will tell you it's impossible.
Stanton Peele Addiction Website




