Cocaine and its hold over Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston, often dubbed ‘The Voice’, graced the world with her unmatched vocal prowess and genre-defining music. She shattered records, won numerous awards and captivated millions with songs that still resonate with audiences globally. However, behind the scenes of this illustrious career lay a tumultuous journey fraught with personal struggles, notably her battle with cocaine addiction. While the world swayed to her heart-wrenching ballads and upbeat tracks, few were aware of the intense challenges she faced off the stage.

This narrative seeks to delve deeper into Houston’s relationship with cocaine, aiming to understand the intricacies of her addiction and the importance of seeking timely intervention and support.

A meteoric rise

Whitney Houston, born in 1963 in Newark, New Jersey, was destined for musical greatness. With gospel roots stemming from her multiple Grammy-award-winning mother, Cissy Houston, and pop influences from her cousins, Dionne and DeeDee Warwick, she was immersed in music from an early age. By the age of 11, she was gracing the stage as a member of the junior gospel choir at New Hope Baptist Church, captivating audiences with a voice that all agreed would take her straight to stardom.

Whitney’s transition to mainstream music came naturally. In the mid-1980s, her debut self-titled album was released and was soon followed by a whirlwind of awards, platinum records and chart-topping hits that solidified her place in music history.

The pressures of stardom

But with such unparalleled success came intense scrutiny. Suddenly, every part of Whitney’s life was magnified, from her fashion choices to her relationships. Paparazzi followed her every move, hoping to capture candid moments and expose some scandal.

Balancing a pristine public image became increasingly challenging for Whitney. She was expected to be the radiant star, the voice of a generation, always in perfect pitch, always looking impeccable. As one friend put it:

“There were a lot of expectations in terms of who she was and who people thought she was. I think not being able to be herself 100 per cent was a hell of a burden for her to have to carry. Someone may look good on the outside, sturdy and strong . . . [but] on the inside, you have someone who had insecurities and family issues and emotional personal issues and struggles.”

Introduction to cocaine and the start of her addiction

While the specifics about the onset of her drug use remain somewhat blurred by conflicting accounts, it’s generally understood that the late 1980s to early 1990s marked a turning point in her relationship with cocaine. Whitney began to rebel against the president of her record company, Clive Davis, who had masterminded her meteoric rise and controlled every aspect of her image and public persona.

The 1980s music scene was the perfect place to rebel. Much like the Hollywood scene of the same era, it was notorious for its accessibility to drugs, particularly cocaine. However, the allure of cocaine is deceptive. Its initial effects can make users feel invincible, energised and extremely confident – feelings that can be especially enticing for performers, particularly ones who were struggling under the surface like Whitney Houston.

A 2018 documentary about Whitney’s life includes claims that she was bullied and sexually assaulted as a child. The trauma that she likely carried from these events may have led to a search for some way to numb the pain, which is extremely common in those who become addicted to drugs like cocaine.

Personal relationships and their impact

Whitney’s relationships were under the microscope long before whispers of her struggles became public knowledge. However, out of all the relationships she had, none was as talked about and scrutinised as her marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown. Their union in 1992 was met with scepticism as many viewed Brown, with his “bad boy” image, as a stark contrast to the squeaky-clean persona that Whitney had cultivated.

As the years went on, their relationship became a focal point for tabloid stories and rumours. The media speculated on everything from alleged infidelity to heated arguments, which ultimately led to Brown being charged with battery in 2003. However, behind closed doors, there was a shared struggle that was far more damaging than any rumour: cocaine addiction.

Many commentators and Whitney fans believe that it was Brown who first introduced her to cocaine, a claim that he has always denied. In fact, Whitney’s brother said in the 2018 interview that it was a friend of his who had first given his sister a bag of marijuana and cocaine on her 16th birthday, a poignant reminder that addiction can have roots deeply set in the formative years.

 

The signs of cocaine addiction

Whatever the origins of Whitney’s drug use, as the years went by, the veil began to slip. There were missed performances, erratic behaviours during interviews and a noticeable change in her appearance. The elasticity and timbre of her voice, once her defining trait, also began to falter, likely due to a combination of cocaine use and smoking. One particularly sad but telling moment came in her infamous interview with Diane Sawyer in 2002, where Whitney candidly admitted:

“The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy.”

In the same interview, Sawyer directly asked Whitney about drugs, notably whether crack cocaine was responsible for her weight loss which was being insensitively scrutinised in the media. Whitney’s reply became one of her most quoted lines about substance use:

“First of all, let’s get one thing straight. Crack is cheap. I make too much money to ever smoke crack. Let’s get that straight. Okay? We don’t do crack. We don’t do that. Crack is whack.”

Despite this, both Houston and Brown admitted using cocaine and other drugs in various interviews, including in 2009, when Whitney told Oprah that Brown laced their marijuana with cocaine.

The combined mental stress of stardom and cocaine addiction also began to take a visible toll on Whitney’s mental well-being, and at times, she seemed to oscillate between moments of lucidity and periods of visible struggle. In retrospect, these public appearances and shifts in behaviour were not merely tabloid fodder but genuine cries for help, signalling the profound grip cocaine had on Whitney’s life.

Enablers and intervention attempts

Almost every journey to addiction is punctuated by individuals who, either inadvertently or purposefully, enable the condition. Whitney’s life, despite its grandeur, was no exception. The nature of the entertainment industry, coupled with the vast resources available to a star of Whitney’s magnitude, meant that she had access to whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it.

Numerous reports suggest that some members of her entourage and close acquaintances played a role in sustaining her cocaine addiction, perhaps due to pressure, fear of losing their position or misguided loyalty.

However, it is also essential to note that many loved ones tried to steer Whitney away from her destructive path. Her mother, Cissy Houston, was reportedly one of the most persistent figures who attempted a number of interventions. However, despite repeated attempts at rehab, Whitney was never able to overcome her addiction.

The tragic end

On February 11, 2012, the world mourned the loss of one of its brightest stars. Whitney Houston was found unconscious in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The subsequent autopsy confirmed the presence of cocaine, among other substances, in her system, contributing to her accidental drowning.

But perhaps even more tragic was the impact of Whitney’s addiction and death on her daughter, Bobbi Kristina. The close bond between Whitney and her daughter was evident, and Bobbi Kristina was often by her mother’s side at events. Yet, growing up in an environment where both parents were using drugs, the shadow of addiction loomed large and over time, Bobbi Kristina began showing signs of substance abuse herself.

Sadly, just three years after Whitney’s death, Bobbi Kristina was found unconscious in her bathtub at the age of 22 in circumstances eerily similar to her mother’s passing. She remained in a coma for six months before passing away.

 

The legacy of Whitney Houston

Despite the shadows that marred her life, it is crucial to remember Whitney Houston for her radiant talent and positive impact on the world. Beyond her musical contributions, Whitney was deeply involved in charitable work. She established the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children and frequently used her platform to advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and other humanitarian causes.

Ultimately, her story serves as both an inspiration and a warning. It underscores the dichotomy of fame, where huge success can coexist with profound personal struggles. This is why the importance of seeking help, understanding the depths of addiction and ensuring continuous support cannot be overstated.

For those who find themselves or their loved ones on a similar path, remember: it’s never too late to seek help. UKAT is dedicated to providing the care, resources and support needed to navigate the challenging journey towards sobriety. If you are struggling with cocaine addiction, contact UKAT today to find out how we can help.