Russell Brand on Amy Winehouse's Death

A reading from a chapter of my book Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions.

Produced & edited by Gareth Roy
Trews Music by Tom Excell & Oliver Cadman
Trews Graphic by Ger Carney

[wescarter]

"Started doing drugs because I wanted to, then it became a habit, then it became a necessity. Got clean out of necessity, then it became a habit, now I'm clean because I want to be" The most accurate representation of MY addiction.

[mimizangluh]

i cried when he choked...i miss her so much...sometimes i wonder what music she would have put out if she was alive...she was a gift taken too early....a true legend.

[joanneh]

Russlle, nearly 7 years ago I walked away from meetings.. couldn’t stand to hear the stories anymore.. needed to just get on with life. I drank occasionally for a few months off and on.. never really thought of myself as an alcoholic, didn’t use any other drugs. But, I felt like I was going bloody insane! Even after I decided to stop the alcohol.. now, all these years later, 12 yrs no drugs and pretty much zero alcohol over the last 6 years, if I don’t follow the program I am fucked! Thank you Russell! You’re an amazing human who is helping more people in more ways than you will ever know. Thank you. Much love.

[CitrusSimon]

Russell is an epic example of living in integrity. Despite incessant attacks from spiritually misaligned people, he remains true to his message. Never watered down. Never silenced. A Braveheart King indeed.

[riverseaocean]

The British press hounded this poor lady before she died

[Alyx]

Lost my two best friends to OD just before Christmas. I left town for the holiday and it was less than 6 hours before they were dead. They were clean for 4 years before this. I still turn around to talk to them, sometimes, but they're not there. The craving never left, they both said. They've found their peace, finally.

[sksbc]

Very powerful. To this day I still remember how the media treated Amy during her struggle....trying to get the least flattering shot of her at her worst. It made me physically sick. It got to the point where I couldn't watch them poke the wounded bird with a stick anymore. It would have been more impressive if they had shown her some love and compassion when she needed it.

[klimtklavier]

Your ability to describe what you perceive always takes my breath away. We talk at the same pace. trying to reach out with voices that run like race cars. THIS was wonderful, taking your time to let every word resonate instead of the rapid response technique... I won't say you've got it licked, you know the answer, but I can say I am very glad you are out there, telling it to those who maybe don't know or don't want to. A tip of the hat and a hug, Russell... keep on keeping on.

[PriorP]

It just gives me peace to know that she had at least one friend that really cared about her.

[shangobunni]

Simply astounding. I've never heard a book excerpt or poem as raw and moving as this.

[dropbearkellyevehammond]

Moved to tears.
Poignant. Raw. And reality of addiction.

[rabbitfishtv]

I love your big, brave heart, Russell. Keep writing, keep talking. You make us think and feel. You help.

[BloodyMadKing]

This is beautiful. Russell inspired me to become a Substance Abuse counselor amd im starting my second year. Im eternally grateful. Keep on doing what you're doing.

[primer]

Incredibly solemn sir. I could never understand the intricacies of that beautifully tragic woman but I loved her all the same. And miss her presence here on this jaded plane.

[samuelgarrett]

i have had Amy Winehouse tattooed on the right side of my body since I was 18, before I really understood who she was perhaps, i had it finished completely after she died. I know the words to every one of her songs, including the unreleased ones. I am 25 now and listen to them to this day. I loved her music so much and it pains me to know that she went through the curse of addiction and that it led to her untimely demise. What is an unusual coincidence is i have also come to suffer from addiction since i was 17 and still do although not quite on her scale. The point i want to make is that the story you shared about her in which she found herself acting out i.e. abusing chocolate and then vomiting, realising she might as well be using and then going to quite radical lengths to get her hands on her drug of choice even though being clean for so long is something i can really relate to. Even in a place where drugs are few and far apart it is still quite possible for an addict to get their hands on. I only hope i can wear my tattoo of her as a reminder to try my best everyday to resist the temptation of a quick release to my problems of unhappiness and tackle them in the right way, through spirituality, and connection and the love i am blessed with by those close to me, and not as an ironic stamp that somebody uses as a description of me in a police report after i am found dead of an overdose one day.. This was very moving to listen to, thank you for sharing this anecdote, Russell.

[jlcontarino]

Beautifully poetic, a tribute to your friend and a call to all addicts and those that love them.

[curtisnucmed]

I've listened through this wonderful book 3 times already and its been such a blessing. Thank you Russell. It's a wonderful thing you are doing. It inspires me to do better.

[cuttingedgecomix]

My fav part was in the beginning when he basically said not to 'deify your solution'. This is representative in ALL life, one should always strive to find solutions for their problems without having unrealistic expectations by hiding from/externalizing those problems with a deity/higher power that is somehow "beyond the self".

At the end of the day it's always up to the individual if they want to change ANY KIND of behavior, although a positive environment that is conducive to this growth and change can be extremely beneficial, obviously.

[lrd]

Beautiful writing, Russell. Thanks for your voice.

I've been in recovery for many years/decades. The core issue that you briefly alluded to is the underlying pain; primal pain, original pain that drives, is behind all addiction and dysfunction. Addiction is the flight from that core pain. All the things that the program suggests; the need for healthy connection with others, selfless service, and most important, finding a connection to a loving Higher Power are deeply needed.

But some of us in addition, as a deeper experience of working/experiencing the steps, have to, or choose to get down to the source; to directly access and feel, a piece at a time, as the body/spirit allows it to surface, the primal/original childhood pain. As the 'onion' is peeled away, that's what is there in us, that we've been desperately running from with all our addictions. It can be directly processed and healed from.

[kch]

No other word for this except beautiful.