An Open Apology to Courtney Love

By Emily Carney

In a recent issue of Popshifter, I wrote an excoriating article about Courtney Love, (Way Past Almost Golden: Courtney Love In The 2000s ) in which touched upon her most recent problems with drug addiction. I am writing this to apologize to Ms. Love (even though I doubt she will ever read this or anything else I commit to writing).

At this time currently I am withdrawing (to put it lightly) from about half of the psychiatric drugs I have been prescribed in the past; ironically enough, I now take Abilify, the drug she purported to have been taking (touched upon this in her 2006 Channel Four documentary). I have experienced all of the nastiness associated with long-term addiction and drug withdrawal: constant shakes, sweats, nausea, the feeling of constantly needing to move around, agitation, the list goes on.

In addition, I was not prepared for the mind-numbing effects of Abilify. While I am sure over time it will prove to be an efficacious drug, I feel like I am walking in a shaky dream, doped up to the gills. It comes replete with blurry vision and the shuffling walk one can view in most psychiatric hospitals (where I recently was, by the way). This would explain Courtney’s slowed-down demeanor and poor state in many public appearances, as well as my occasionally erratic print articles. . .

At any rate, I would like to apologize for Ms. Love. Addiction and mental illness are no laughing matter, and are not things to be speculated upon or to be laughed at as part of a celebrity’s “follies.” One needs to be empathetic in times of difficulty, and I can relate all too well to Ms. Love’s personal problems and often inconsistent behavior. I extend my apologies and wish her better times.