By David Williams - bio | email
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – For the first time since production of his hit show was shut down, actor Charlie Sheen did his first TV interview. Sheen spoke one-on-one with NBC's Jeff Rossen for the interview which aired Feb. 28 on NBC's "TODAY."
Many say Sheen has acted erratically lately, causing some to question whether he is on drugs. However, Sheen maintains that he is clean. During the interview, Sheen spoke against Alcoholics Anonymous and scoffs at the idea of having anything in common with people who are struggling with addiction.
When asked by Rossen if he was clean right now, Sheen said, "Look at me, duh. Drug tests don't lie."
Later in the interview, Rossen asked Sheen when was the last time he did drugs.
"Don't remember, don't care," Sheen replied. "Drug tests don't lie, scoreboard doesn't lie."
Sheen, star of the CBS sitcom "Two and a Half Men", maintains he is drug-free. He was hospitalized three times in as many months. Production of his show was halted last month after his most recent hospital stay. Sheen took aim at Alcoholics Anonymous and says he has cured himself of addiction.
Rossen: "You say you've cured yourself?"
Sheen: "Yes."
Rossen: "--of addiction?"
Sheen: "Absolutely."
Rossen: "You don't need Alcoholics Anonymous? How have you done that?"
Sheen: "I close my eyes and, and, and made it so, with the power of my mind. Had to unload 22 years of fiction, and just decided that I don't believe that anymore, and I know my own truth, and I just - that's - what I stand on right now."
Jennifer Stern is the CEO of The Morton Center in Louisville, a facility that specializes in treating alcoholism and other addictions. Stern watched much of the interview, which is posted online at today.msnbc.com, and gave us her reaction.
"It makes me said because I know that he believes what he's saying. He has a strong belief that folks who struggle with addiction and that relapse are weak," said Stern. "It doesn't surprise me that he said the things that he did because the characteristics of alcohol and addiction are a perception issue. It's a disease of perception."
In the interview, Sheen goes on to describe addicts as "fools, trolls. Weak. Defeated." Stern describes what can happen when people are struggling with addiction.
"So, when folks who are struggling, particularly toward the end or chronic phase of their illness, they fall into delusions," Stern said. "They frame things which may be pretty obvious to you and I, but they change the meaning of things to suit their own purposes."
While Sheen says he's cured himself of addiction, Stern says professional treatment and counseling works for people struggling with addiction.
"I would say reach out. Reach out to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). Reach out to a family member, or a friend that you know is in recovery. Reach out to the nearest treatment center. Go see a counselor. Work it out. There is hope," Stern said.
A representative with Alcoholics Anonymous told us "Charlie Sheen is entitled to his opinion. Other than that, AA chooses not to comment."
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, click here for a link to the Morton Center web site.
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Charlie Sheen
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