A section from Wikipedia, re: Judy Garland

[Deja Q]

Always highly-charged and emotional, Garland frequently sought refuge in the form of alcohol and prescription drugs. Historians generally agree that she was first introduced to drugs, or more specifically, to amphetamines, at MGM studios during the filming of The Wizard of Oz, where the substance was used to provide the extra energy needed to cope with the lengthy and exhausting movie-making process, as well as a way of helping curb the appetite of the then-chubby teenager. Constantly self-conscious of her image, Judy felt unattractive compared to other young stars, despite the fact that many people, both then and now, considered her to be one of the most beautiful actresses of all time. This self-loathing is clearly demonstrated in the following anecdote, which came straight from Judy herself: over the course of her entire career, encompassing many decades and hundreds of apperances, only on two occasions was she satisfied with her on-screen image: Meet Me in St. Louis and The Clock. Many have identified these insecurities as being the most significant, in terms of perpetuating her life-long struggle with substance abuse.

Although her MGM-sponsored stimulant use did prove to be an exceptionally effective way to both reduce her weight and increase her energy, it created some problems of its own. In addition to carrying a large potential for addiction, the harsh amphetamine stimulation (if left untreated) can cause severe insomnia. Thus, it necessitates nightly use of high dosages barbiturates - another highly addictive drug - for sleep. While MGM undoubtedly "created" the problem, Judy perpetuated it; adopting her new drug habits and independently acquiring her own medications. As a result, her weight fluctuated noticeably during her tenure with MGM.

For intermittent periods during her life, Garland attempted detoxification at a private hospital or sanitarium, but these "clean" periods were short-lived. Her drug use progressively became all-consuming, right up through the moment of her passing, similar to that of Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe. Eventually, her tolerances grew so astronomically large, the effects of the drugs became paradoxical, eventually working in reverse; amphetamines, which at one point worked so well as a diet aid, began to increase her appetite, or barbiturates, which, not so long ago, did such a spectacular job of rendering her completely unconscious, began to actually increase her wakefulness, and so on.


:cry:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Garland

[jukes]

1. judy's life was sad

i believe she had an abusive mother that robbed her of her earnings as a child actress.