RenewEveryday.com

 

Anyone who knows me knows that music is one of my passions. While I never bought any of her music and probably never saw any of her videos, the truth is that Whitney Houston had a voice unlike any I have ever heard. I truly admired this woman for her talent each time a song of hers came on the radio. The spirit in her voice was so alive, so happy. But for all of us who suffer from substance use disorder, perceived happiness is often not the reality.

 

Whitney Houston had a golden voice and shared it so that millions could enjoy. But just like me, she also had a vice. Her voice was beyond moving, beyond captivating. Her vice was her struggle to fill the emptiness inside with things that never truly fill anything, things that only mask one’s spirit. Her appearance was beyond striking. But her demons were tricking her into believing that all the good within her was never enough.

 

Yet, she still had a certain charm didn’t she? It made her seem relatable, and for those who have had an opportunity to be within her circle, approachable.

 

In 2000, there were reports that Whitney started missing performances. And reports that this woman with the amazing voice struggled to perform at concerts. The public started putting pieces together with reports that her behavior was fueled by an addiction, that those things once important to her were being pushed away by something else. That’s what addiction does. It replaces the things we love with lies, deceit and just plain ugliness. And then the truth was revealed by Whitney herself that she battled an addiction. She struggled to let go of self-destructive behaviors and unhealthy relationships.

 

I imagine it must be hard to be a public figure and struggle with the chains of addiction or any challenging situation when you’re in the midst of it. You’re vulnerable in public eyes, scrutinized by others who have not walked in your shoes; who will never truly understand, yet talk as if they do. People offering their thoughts and their judgments as if there is a clear and easy answer.

 

Whitney Houston’s lasting legacy will soon obliterate memories of her decline. She’ll be remembered for her amazing music that connects soul to soul. And for her skillful grace behind the microphone and in the spotlight that made her the queen of center stage. This is how Whitney will be remembered after the dust of her addiction clears. But she will also leave a startling message. Addiction can wreak havoc on anyone; there is no discrimination. Its only mission is to destroy. Taking a shot at everyone who lets denial tell them they are okay.

 

Whitney won over 400 music awards, sold over 200 million albums, had seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Top 100 hits, starred in multiple movies and has been called a hero in the eyes of many of today’s greatest voices, yet her voice has now been silenced by the chains of addiction. And the comeback that we had all hoped for is gone forever.

 

I will choose to remember Whitney Elizabeth Houston for the gift that she was blessed with, her voice. I am reminded with her passing of the gift I’ve found through my recovery. I will embrace my recovery as an opportunity to use my voice to educate others about the disease of addiction and through my story, inspire hope that there is a way out of the darkness.