By: Sherry Gaba LCSW, Psychotherapist, Life and Recovery Coach on Celebrity Rehab on VH1 and author of “The Law of Sobriety” which uses the law of attraction to recover from any addiction. Please download your copy of “Eliminate Limiting Beliefs”, from Sherry’s, Enrich Your Life series. Contact Sherry at sherry@sgabatherapy.com for webinars, teleseminars, coaching packages and speaking engagements.

Steven Tyler, legendary front man for Aerosmith, has a new book coming out this month. Titled  “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Memoir” In this book, Tyler discusses his history with addiction and what it took for him to finally get sober. As a current judge on American Idol, this is a perfect time for Tyler to garner attention for his memoir. The positive story of recovery is always needed.

Celebrities that have embraced sobriety and recovery don’t always receive the most attention. Those who are still active in their disease tend to be in the spotlight. Tyler is not the first rocker to struggle with addiction. Musicians over the last 50 years have battled with the disease and many did not survive. The power of an intervention, from close friends and family, around ten years ago was the pivotal incentive he needed to become sober. Tyler’s drug and alcohol history spans a long period of time and almost the entire spectrum of substances to abuse. He didn’t limit himself to one drug of choice; he abused alcohol, heroin, hash, cocaine, crack and prescription medication. When an addict isn’t particular about what drug they put in their system, devastating consequences can occur.

While consequences for addicts are often horrific, they can be unpredictable for an addict who doesn’t have one drug of choice. Addicts that take anything and everything to escape, deal with or hide from their life live on a hellish roller coaster. From extreme highs to extreme lows, it is almost impossible to determine what bottom they will hit. The unfortunate result is usually an overdose.

When an addict uses drugs that run the spectrum from uppers to downers, it is not uncommon for them to misjudge a dose and overdose. It is impossible for an addict to remember the exact amount of substances they have put in their body. The addict can become confused, their mind muddy and simply forget that the combination of drugs they are using can be lethal. It is a miracle that Steven Tyler was able to accept treatment and be successful.

As more individuals take the time to step into the spotlight and talk about their disease of addiction, positive awareness will occur. By writing his memoir, Steven Tyler has opened the door to his life, allowing anyone to see in and read about his experiences. He has described his life and his bottom, and the hope is that one won’t have to experience his addicted life before they seek treatment. This is a true testament to giving back what has so freely been given to him.