Published: July 17, 2024 / 5:24 PM PDT
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9 News spoke with Steve Carleton about Colorado singer Ingrid Andress’s report that she was drunk during her performance of the National Anthem at the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.
9 News
Well, many people are still talking about Colorado singer Ingrid Andress, who’s now canceled some shows, including here in Denver, after that infamous National Anthem rendition at the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Well, yesterday, she shared on social media that she was drunk during the Monday performance. She apologized and says that she is now seeking help and checking into rehab. Of course, getting help for addiction is something that we probably need to talk about more. So we’re joined again by Steve Carleton. He’s a local certified addiction specialist, and we’ve talked about things like this before. These very famous breakdowns are sad, but they’re also an opportunity for people to talk about it and think about it a little bit as far as themselves, their family, their loved ones, their friends.
Steve Carleton
Absolutely. When you’re talking about a substance use problem and substance use disorders, we’re talking about a problem that affects almost one in 10 Americans. This is a very common issue among people.
9 News
But it tends to run under the surface for most people and is unseen like an iceberg where a lot of it that’s going on. And they always say, You never know what someone else is going through, and that might include something like a substance use or abuse problem.
Steve Carleton
Yeah, absolutely. And none of us know what’s going on with Ingrid. We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. We don’t know what things led to this happening the other day. But what I do know and can assure people is it’s probably a lot more complicated than we would want to believe.
9 News
I get the feeling most people don’t have that singular moment. Well, I guess maybe some people do and some people don’t. But you So think of a crystallizing moment like what we did see play out on Monday night where someone said, that’s the line. I got over it. I got to get help.
Steve Carleton
It’s really common. So substance use, more often than not, comes along with mental health issues. The thing about substance use and substance use problems is they’re noisy problems. They’re loud. When they do occur in a public setting like this, it’s very obvious to people. And so that’s why it’s probably such a hard time for her right now.
9 News
Yeah. And let’s say someone out there is experiencing this in their own life in one way or another. What’s your advice? I mean, obviously, you’re talking about people are different. Everyone’s different. Every situation is different. But I’m sure you have some advice that works for most people.
Steve Carleton
Absolutely. And I think it is common that people, when they do seek help, it is after a big event. That is really common. And I think the advice there, similar to Ingrid, is get help. When that thing happens and you’re facing significant consequences to your career and your life and your reputation, seek help. That’s the time to ask for help and to come out and say help. And public figures like this saying, I need help, is just a great modeling for the rest of the people.
9 News
I was going to ask you because it didn’t take her long to own it. And I get the feeling many people run from it or find blame. And maybe she’d already done that several times. We don’t know. But for many people, is that ownership a very important first step?
Steve Carleton
It is the first step, right? Acknowledging there’s a problem. Substance use is a behavior that’s in part to avoid other things going on in their life. So people will go to great lengths to avoid confronting and asking for help. And so it’s a huge first step. And to do it on a national stage and put it out to millions of millions of people that watch this should be appreciated.
9 News
It’s a multi-pronged thing with many-pronged thing. But you talk about addiction being disease-oriented and also the psychological side of it where you have to treat yourself in some way.
Steve Carleton
I mean, most people that are checking into rehab, they also meet criteria for depression. Alcohol is a sedative. So when it gets bad enough, people are in a depressed state. It’s a challenging time. It feeds that? Absolutely. Yeah. Anything more than three drinks and people are getting into a depressed state.
9 News
Well, we, of course, will be following and seeing what happens with Ingrid Andrews and hoping for the best for her and anyone else. And any quick number or direction you want to send people.
Steve Carleton
Here in Colorado, 1866 MAT STAT for Porch Light Health is a great place to start. The SAMHSA website has great resources for treatment facilities all throughout Colorado. That’s also a great start.
9 News
There is help out there. Steve, it’s good to see you again.Thanks.
Steve Carleton
For coming in. My pleasure. Thank you.
