Does anyone have any idea at what age Freddie started useing drugs? Was it in high school, or when he started performing?

I think he was 13 or 14 when he started.

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GET OUT OF MY GARAGE!!!

Anna, I remember reading in his mother's book that he had taken drugs while he was still at home. I don't really think she knew ALL he was on but I know he started using cocaine before he left New York and his mother knew he smoked pot in high school. SUCH A SHAME!

That is very sad about his drug use at such an early age. A couple of weeks ago I saw a special on the late Billie Holliday. A legendary singer/songwriter who overdosed on illegal drugs (at the age of 43 I believe!)One of her agents or managers was speaking and something he said struck me because I thought of Freddie. He said that yes, people have deep-seated problems from their childhood or some other trauma that affected them. But, being in show business, drug abuse is really "an occupational hazard"!!!
Hmmmm. What do you think of this? He's saying it goes with the territory!!! I know a person has to make their own decisions, but he makes it sound like the deck was stacked against Freddie from the start!!?! Do you think I am off base on this? Thanks.

I think he was right on target. Even though people make their own decisions...sometimes they don't have their own minds. What I mean by this is..I think a person can get sucked in real easy, especially if there were problems with childhood and homelife. I have always believed that drug abuse is NOT the problem, it is merely a SYMPTOM of a larger problem. If Freddie was taking drugs at such a young age there had to be a reason for it. Sure, there's peer pressure...but that only goes so far. Believe me..I know from where I speak, if there are problems in the home, they stay with you forever!!!
Look at Robert Downey, Jr. My husband and I go round and round about him all the time. My husband takes the stance that Robert is weak. I feel that he is desperately trying to clean up his act. What public figure enjoys having their image blasted all over the 5:00 news? That man has problems that he needs to address...and it will take a court order for him to do it. I see him going down the same path as Freddie...but I hope I'm wrong.

I agree with you Chicosladyfair! I believe Freddie had something in his childhood or some traumatic event that he just could not cope with. Drugs or alcohol are only the bandaid. It has to be something in the home. I'll be darn if my son locks himself in the bedroom and he's smoking or snorting cocaine and I'm not going to know it? Just looking at his face I would know somethings up! As far as Robert Downey is concerned. He is definitely taking the same path & it's a shame.

[This message has been edited by JennyLee22 (edited 06-06-2001).]

I don't like to dwell on the negative, cause it can be depressing, but I feel led to share something here. I think the saddest part of all of this is that when people tried to get some help for Freddie to deal with his past issues, instead of good solid counciling, they gave him more drugs to cope! I needed to do some research a couple of weeks ago for my story and I went to about 6 medical journals to find what I could about methaqualone use and treatment. Some of the stuff there was frightening. From all of the reading about the effects of methaqualone on the body and if we can believe the reports about how much of the stuff he was taking, I have come to the conclusion that Freddie was living on borrowed time. Because he was taking so many and downing them with alcohol, another depressant, he should have died from an overdose months before he took his own life. He must have had a pretty strong heart to withstand the effects of those substances. The scariest part for me is that even though they took methaqualone off the market in 83 and now it is illegal, doctors are now prescribing similar drugs that can be just as bad if abused, Valium and Xanax. They have similar effects as methaqualone. And I was taking both of these!!!! I truly got to see what Freddie was going through when I did this research! It was like I was looking through his eyes! It was frightening and sad for me, but in a way I was glad I got to feel a little of Freddie's pain. It has made me a little more sympathetic! El dulce suena, Freddie, and be at peace!

So sad. Sad to think he could've died either way... http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/frown.gif

Luckmama-- I enjoy reading your postings. I was talking to my brother a few weeks ago. Back in the 70's he was in the hospital for some surgery. He told me the nurses woke him up to give him a Quaalude. This is obviously before they knew how dangerous it was. My brother also told me that people who took large doses of quaaludes may have ended up with epilepsy. Freddie must have been very strong as to not have overdosed. But, I think he may, for someone so young, have been living on borrowed time. All that hard stuff eventually does catch of with you. I always thought Freddie looked a lot older than his actual years too. I am sure that had to be some of the effects of the drugs.

You're right he does look older. I always thought he was several yrs older than he was. When he died I was suprised to find out he was 22 & not 25 or so. IN one pic of seen of him in a tux he looks so much older & so adult. So sad. They never should've made Qualludes... http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/frown.gif