Addiction In Pete Wentz's Fall Out Boy

“Life is a deep and contemplative story stuck on repeat — love, loss, self-destruction, self-discovery” (1). Gray by Pete Wentz narrates the life of young Pete throughout the early years of Fall Out Boy, in which he was the bassist and songwriter. He struggled with drug abuse; more specifically with the anxiety and depression prescription drug Ativan, after he and his girlfriend broke up (more than once), which lead to two separate overdose attempts. Reading this story made me realize that even our favorite celebrities (who appear so happy and healthy on the outside) can succumb to the dangerous world of addiction, that we need to be there for people with addictions, and that we don’t always realize it’s happening to someone we love. Throughout

But, it is totally possible and actually does happen, more than you think. We view celebrities as untouchable and porcelain, and to hear that your idol uses, it can break your heart. Famous people are just as susceptible to a life of drugs as any normal person is. After lodging in a resort known for it’s drug abuse, Pete calls the resort “…where child almost-stars and has-beens-in-the-making do tons of cocaine…” (135). From reading the passage, you learn that there is literally hot-spots for celebrities to use drugs in secret, being sent there by their managers as housing. Learning that there are actual resorts where people stay and just do drugs is shocking, but not unheard of. Celebrities can do drugs in leisure without paparazzi hanging around, meaning no one finds out. I think that is where we get the thought that celebrities are so posh and clean: we don’t ever find out about their bad habits. If you know someone that has an addiction to drugs, you know you need to be there for them and help them out of that dark area. If you or your family member has an addiction and does not get help or support from their loved ones, it can lead to tragedy. After being broken up with by Her, Pete chooses to do something dangerous, as stated: “I gather up every last pill in my possession—a fistful of blues and oranges and pale yellows—and swallow them all, lock myself in the bathroom, and