Melanie Griffith Returns to Stage after Drug Rehab
Melanie Griffith credits her family for saving her. At 54 years old, Griffith told the L.A. Times her daughters were the ones who sat her down and told her she really needed help.
Founder Kristina Wandzilak with Full Center Intervention said it is often most effective if an addict hears how they are affecting loved ones because of their addiction. Griffith says her eyes were opened to seeking drug rehab when her two daughters confronted her and explained how much she needed help.
She says she is so grateful to them for helping her see things now that she didn’t see before, according to ABC News. Griffith’s most recent 2009 stint in drug rehab was her third trip. The actress has long struggled with cocaine and alcohol addictions. Griffith first sought help after her breakout role in the film "Working Girl".
Griffith is married to actor Antonio Banderas, who told AARP magazine that they have never hidden her addictions from any of the children. Banderas added that pretending is no good because children are smart and can see through things.
Griffith went to drug rehab in 2000 for painkiller addiction. She later spoke to Diane Sawyer with ABC about the trying time with Banderas by her side. While Griffith had trouble putting the experience into words, she did say it’s like your body is a completely different entity entirely separate from your soul.
Potent and scary are two words Griffith used to describe the entire experience and adds that you don’t have any idea but you really do need help. Griffith has been sober and clean now for the past three years.
Griffith wraps up her play "No Way Around but Through" July 8th in Los Angeles. She is an academy award winning actress and the mother of four.