E.T.A Randy Travis... Who Would've Known

My ex husband is a psychotic paranoid abusive drunk, but nobody knows it 'cept me and his kids. Everyone thinks he's Just the NICEST fella. And you know he IS a nice fella, to everyone else!

So you just never know from the outside, do you?

:)

I was an active functioning addict for many years. I think he's been an alcoholic for a while but it's just now getting to the point that his "life has become unmanageable."

I can safely say I am glad I am living my life without public scrutiny and whatever demons I may need to slay get done so behind closed doors. It's hard enough pushing elephants up glass hills without a spot light shining in your face.

What the hell is a responsible drunk?

just like with every-one's life, we never know what they are really going through or thinking.

Maybe he is dealing with some personal things and choosing to drink as a way of coping and in the process making stupid choices. Or maybe he is just drinking and making stupid choices.

With famous people unfortunately we get to see all of their stupid choices. I'm glad nobody was hurt.. including himself. But if you looked at people as a whole everyone has made some stupid choices in their life... we are just lucky not to have them flashed for all to see.

I am not a fan of his and don't follow him but our local news (Fox 4 Dallas) just reported that he was also naked when he wrecked his car.

I hope he gets help before he kills someone or himself.

If someone is a drunk, they aren't being responsible. There is NO such this as a "responsible" alcoholic. There are functioning alcoholics, who can go to work and do all the other needed things. There is no responsibility about someone slowly killing themselves with a substance. BEING in addict is letting oneself and everyone around them down. Being able to preform tasks does not mean that they do and would choose their drug over everything else, in a second.

My guess, is he's been an alcoholic for some time. Al those years and you need more and more to feel it. Addicts are very clever, in how they can hide it publicly. He's probably braking now, and at a stage where it's impossible to hide, deny, or be clever about anything.

He wasn't a known alcoholic to US, the public. Think of all the celebrity and musician deaths that seem shocking, because the public didn't know about the addiction.

I don't know. I haven't read the story, but I do recall some years ago him having alcohol issues of some sort. Perhaps he fell off the wagon. I mean... being an alcoholic doesn't mean you are being an "irresponsible drunk" and HIDING it well. But being in control of it also doesn't mean that he has zero alcohol issues, right? At least that is my understanding.

I guess I am seeing your question as fallacious, in that there are more options than just the two you pose at the end.

ETA: J., your added comment, "He isn't a known alcoholic", made me question my own memory. So I googled, found out I hadn't lost my mind and DID remember a messed up history in his past, and thought you might find this "about" article interesting.

http://countrymusic.about.com/od/randytravis/p/RandyTravi...

You know, J., alcoholism is a life long disease. That's not really big news, is it?

ETA: J., he isn't a "known alcoholic" to you or most of the general public. That doesnt mean he isn't. I'm old enough to know that many public portrayals aren't real.

I agree with everyone else

Responsible drunk = Oxymoron

I think he probably has had an alcohol problem for years. To me, he looks like a wino and has for years (I'm definitely not a fan) but I try not to judge a book on its cover. However, in this instance the cover fits the book.

Randy Travis came to our Church "Fellowship of the Woodlands" to give his testimony. He talked about his early drinking days & how he was out of control & struggling. This was a few years ago, however you can still get the dvd from the church.

We all have our low points, Sadly, celebrities can't keep theirs private.

It makes me wonder what is going on with him. I always remember him as a straight, law abiding man. Something must be seriously wrong personally. I love his singing and hate for this to happen to him.

Updated

It makes me wonder what is going on with him. I always remember him as a straight, law abiding man. Something must be seriously wrong personally. I love his singing and hate for this to happen to him.

People aren't usually "suddenly" alcoholics. If these incidents represent alcoholism and falling off the wagon, as they appear to, it took a long time to get there. If these incidents were one-offs, that's still irresponsible partying.

I thought it was pretty widely known that RT was a recovering alcoholic? I don't even follow country music stars or like the music very much to begin with, but I've seen interviews he's done. I could have sworn he was on Kathy Lee and Hoda and he didn't partake in their morning alcoholic drink but had a nice dry drink instead.

Just guessing, but he's probably flirted with it for a long time. I think there are certain brain patterns which lend to it (not that it excuses it).

That's too bad - he's a true talent imho. Hopefully he can turn this around before he hurts himself or someone else.