Naomi Campbell has given up alcohol, or so she says in an interview with Giant Magazine (story via Showbiz Spy). She claims that she’s in “The Program”, which I had to look up. I think she means Alcoholics Anonymous, and/or Narcotics Anonymous. Both are 12-step programs, that may or may not be referred to as “The Program.” Of course, an integral part of those programs is anonymity, which Naomi just broke.
Naomi also had this to say – “Some people can handle a drink or a line of cocaine, but I’ve come to realise that, for me, it’s all or nothing – and it has to be nothing.” This is very true, if she’s a compulsive alcohol or drug binger. A binger doesn’t stop when they get their buzz, they just keep going until they pass out or die. Showbiz Spy has more:
Naomi Campbell says she no longer drinks alcohol — because her body “cannot handle it”.
The feisty British supermodel, 39, told the new issue of Giant magazine that she’s given up booze in a bid to lead a cleaner lifestyle.
“I’m in The Program, and I’m proud to be… It teaches you to let go… I wish I knew about it earlier,” Campbell said.
“I’m not able to drink alcohol. My body cannot handle it.”
“Some people can handle a drink or a line of cocaine, but I’ve come to realise that, for me, it’s all or nothing – and it has to be nothing.”
[From Showbiz Spy]
I wonder about that comment, “I’m not able to drink alcohol. My body cannot handle it.” I’m pretty sure Naomi is totally correct with her Program, but just a word of advice to those people who have negative physical reactions to alcohol: you might be allergic. My body can take most alcohol, except for gin. Gin makes me terribly sick, and I totally break out in a rash. Thankfully, Scotch just makes me warm, and rum just makes me happy.
Back to Naomi – does anyone think her drug and alcohol issues might have been the cause of all of her legal problems? All of that phone-throwing and phone-beating; perhaps she’s calmer now that she’s sober. Unless she was sober when she was beating people with phones, which I suspect is the case. Then she’s just unpleasant, sober or drunk.
Here’s Naomi Campbell modeling on the catwalk for a charity fashion show in Moscow on March 4th. Images thanks to WENN.com .
Who cares?
It’s okay to break the anonymity if it’s about yourself. You just can’t ‘out’ anyone else. It makes sense that some of those temper tantrums would be caused by alcohol or drugs; it seems to fuel a lot of rage in some people.
Alcohol and Drugs are merely symptoms of Alcoholism. Once the Alcohol and Drugs are removed an Alcoholic is left with the real problem, themselves.
Hence, AA is a spiritual program that deals with existing emotional issues that were always there. Chances are that her emotional issues were there whether she used or not.
Hopefully if she sticks to the program and works the 12 Steps, she will find serenity and contentment and have her emotional issues removed or deflated.
Naomi… YA THINK??!!
Sheesh… And in answer to your question Kaiser, yes, it is very possible (I’d even say likely) that her irritated behaviour, hissy fits and outlashings were caused, directly or indirectly (or both) by the drugs and alcohol. My grandfather used to be a neurosurgeon and psychiatrist and I saw lots of people with drug/alcohol problems who stayed at his clinic. Irrational, irritated and erratic behaviour is common in people who have substance abuse problems. They can almost seem bipolar at times, constantly swinging between okay and “I need a fix” moments in which they become aggravated and sometimes, like Naomi, physically abusive to others.
I had my father (who has worked with my grandad in the past) listen to Christian Bale’s Terminator: Salvation on-set outburst and he said that also sounded like someone with a drug and/or alcohol problem because it just reaches a point where people lose control and then can’t stop. The same happened over and over again to Naomi and people surrounding her.
It’s not an excuse, I think people, especially celebrities whom some look up to, should control themselves or seek the best help they can get (since they really can afford it). But it’s an explanation of sorts.
“We need maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio or film.” – Alcoholics Anonymous
I’m sure it wasn’t cocaine (rolling of eyes) just ‘roid rage.
You’re allowed to tell people *you’re* in AA/NA, it’s telling anyone else’s stories or saying who else is there that you can’t do. Is, Naomi can say she’s going to meetings but can’t mention that neighbor or other famous person she’s seen there, and others at her meetings can’t out her to their friends or the press.
I could have sworn she said this SAME thing about a year ago….
@ Terri, what are you, the AA police? If she wants to divulge that she’s in AA, that is entirely her right. Probably not the best choice, but it’s hers nonetheless. Live and let live.
Step Twelve
“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried TO CARRY THIS MESSAGE to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
What Terri said is one of the Twelve Traditions. If she relapses, it hurts the image of the Program. Her anonymity was broken several years back by one of the UK tabs who published photos of her going to an NA meeting. I believe she sued & won.
I like the word “feisty” as applied to Naomi. Okay, if that’s code for assault and battery, I’ll buy that.
I find the psychology of the phrase, “I can no longer drink alcohol. My body cannot handle it” interesting, to say the least.
A huge step in AA/NA (pardon the pun) is admitting your emotional dependence to drugs and alcohol, and appealing to a Higher Power to give you strength through emotionally vulnerable times.
Perhaps since Naomi is largely known for her physical beauty (temper-tantrums notwithstanding), it makes sense that she references herself via her “body”. But I think her phrasing indicates a subtle lack of personal accountability that may indicate she’s trying to rid herself of any negative press.
But if she really is a friend of Bill W., more power to her. I hope she finds her happy!
(Ps – of course you’re allowed to “out” yourself – so long as it’s just yourself. Every meeting starts with, “Hi. I’m (Naomi) and I’m an alcoholic.” )
Eh drugs are everywhere in the modelling industry. Those girls don’t stay underweight by eating sandwiches, drinking mineral water and exercising that’s for sure.
Sounds like she has come up with a new “fix”.
It´s interesting that she says her body can´t handle drugs and alcohol. I gave up alcohol completely some months ago because I felt so bad after having just one or two glasses of wine, i. e. stomach pains, headaches, dizziness, nausea… Maybe Naomi, who´s about my age, feels the same. (I was never an alcoholic though!)