Enablers and disenablers: psychologist Lillian Glass and William Shatner’s brother-in-law v. Lionel Ritchie
Enablers of the Month:
Psychologist Lillian Glass. This is the sort of psychologist I lambasted in Chapter 5 of “Drunks, Drugs & Debits””who, by the testimony of addicts long in recovery are their biggest enablers. Commenting on former “Full House”star Mary-Kate Olsen’s two-night wild party binge, during which she was described as “way out of control”by friends and after which she checked in and checked out of rehab after only two days, Glass said, “In my opinion, she’s a very troubled girl. I think she may be depressed”and could use the help of a professional therapist.”Friends used to say they sometimes detected a note of anger in my voice when discussing alcoholism and implied it was directed at my addict-ex. No. I’ll admit to some anger, even after 14 years of studying the subject, but it’s not at addicts. It’s for psychologists like Glass who just don’t get it.
Nerine Shatner’s brother, Warren Kidd, apparently blaming actor William Shatner for Nerine’s death. Kidd claims that Shatner’s AA sponsor had warned Bill not to leave Nerine alone in the house because she might swim while drunk. He also claims that Nerine was haunted by suspicions that Shatner was having an affair. “Nerine was isolated and depressed. It’s no surprise she drank.”Sorry, Mr. Kidd, but Nerine drank alcoholically because her biochemistry not only allowed, but compelled it. Yes, Bill made a mistake”he didn’t stick to an apparent ultimatum a few months earlier. But then, if she didn’t make the right decision, she might have died anyway”and you still would have blamed him. Mr. Kidd, I have a few books for you that will explain your sister’s disease and allow you to leave Mr. Shatner in peace.
Disenabler of the Month:
Singer Lionel Richie, accepting the “Icon”honor at the TV Land Awards, telling the audience, “Forget about surviving 40 years in the music business. Just surviving 27 years of [my daughter] Nicole Richie has been a struggle-and-a-half…I stand here as a survivor, I want you to know, for all the parents out there.”After Nicole’s arrest for DUI and driving the wrong way on the 134 freeway in Los Angeles, reported in the January 2007 www.ThorburnAddictionReport.com, her dad reportedly said a little jail time might do her some good. Keep up the educational comments, Mr. Richie”the world needs to hear them.