Rest in Peace, Whitney Houston

Rest in Peace, Whitney Houston

By Jenny Hunt, Palm Partners Recovery Center

February 13, 2012

The devastating news of Whitney Houston’s death left the world in mourning this weekend. Beloved by peers and fans alike, Whitney Houston’s legacy will never be forgotten.

Known as the “Queen of Pop,” Whitney Houston has been cited as the most-awarded female recording artist of all time. She has won 415 awards during the course of her career including six Grammy Awards and 30 Billboard Music Awards. Houston is the only artist in history to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 Hits. She is the only female artist on the list of top selling albums of all time.

Whitney’s career began to decline in the 2000’s. Though she had a great image in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, by the late 90’s, her behavior began to change. She started to show up late for interviews and rehearsals and began to cancel performances and talk show appearances. Houston made headlines for her weight loss and erratic behavior. Her fifth studio record, Just Whitney, was released to mixed reviews.

For years, Whitney Houston has battled with drug and alcohol addiction. In 1992, Houston married Bobby Brown, and the rumors of drug use and physical abuse in the relationship began to circulate. In 2000, Houston was arrested after officials at Hawaii’s Keahole-Kona Airport found marijuana in her bag. In 2002, during an interview with Diane Sawyer, Houston admits to using alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs, but denies doing crack; infamously saying “Crack is whack.” In 2004, Whitney Houston enters her first drug rehab program; in 2005, she attends her second. In 2006, Whitney separated from Bobby Brown and spoke out on the Oprah Winfrey about Bobby’s physical abuse and drug use. Then in 2011, she enrolled in an outpatient treatment center.

Whitney was found dead in the bathtub in her Beverly Hills hotel room at the age of 48 on February 11, 2012. There is much speculation on the cause of death, but many believe that Whitney succumbed to a deadly combination of prescription pills and alcohol. TMZ reported that the L.A. County Coroner told family that she did not have enough water in her lungs to point to drowning, and it was most likely an overdose.  We won’t know for sure until the toxicology report comes back, which may take a couple weeks.

The public outpouring of grief has been incredible. After news of Whitney Houston’s death materialized, CNN, MSNBC and Fox News all broke from their regularly scheduled programming to dedicate time to non-stop coverage of Houston’s death. Tributes to Whitney Houston could be heard on the radio stations. Facebook posts began to flood in. Celebrities have released statements expressing their grief and dedicated performances to Houston. The music world will likely never be the same.

Whitney Houston’s body will be transported to New Jersey this week for the funeral, according to reports. Houston was born and raised in New Jersey and her body will be laid to rest at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., the place of her birth.

If you or someone you know needs drug or alcohol treatment call us at (877) 711-HOPE (4673) or visit us online at www.palmpartners.com.