the problem now that's different from these interviews is definitely the bi-polar meds. You feel like a zombie. He's also drinking on the meds, which is really stupid and makes things worse. It worsens the zombie affect and is counteracts the benefits you get from the drugs. He's basically lethargic from the meds AND drunk from the booze. That's why he slurs his words, can get his thoughts out, and stumbles in his speech.
Now, hold on just a minute... Every now and then, Scott Weiland fans seem to completely revise the pathology of bipolar disorder and its treatment in order to explain away addict behavior. You make it sound as if the only choice you have is between suffering from your disorder or combating it with medication that will, without exception, turn you into a zombie. There are plenty of people who suffer from bipolar disorder who are able to live a normal life on medication. And for you to even pretend to know what medication Scott is on - if any at all - and how it affects him is just plain absurd and ignorant. Bipolar is a serious condition which shouldn't be used flippantly as an explanation for erratic behavior displayed by a person you do not even know.
I don't think that Juge was trying to make assumptions or say that people with bipolar cannot live normal, well-adjusted lives. However, I will concur that psych meds do make many feel, at worst, very foggy &/or lethargic. At best, there is a measure of detachment that one feels while on meds like lithium, serequel or depakote, (just to name a few). Obviously, I don't know Scott so I cannot be certain that he takes his meds, but according to his book, he IS drinking regularly. I can tell you that adding alcohol to any potent anti-psychotic medication is beyond sedating. In fact, it is as dangerous as any of the hard drugs that Scott has ever done in the past. It's all about respiratory depression. In addition, he has had at least one seizure that I know of, (possibly others?). Some anti-psychotics help to keep seizures in check, or perhaps he takes a benzo medication to prevent them, (Klonopin, Serax, etc). The bottom line is that yes, many folks sound and act "normally" while taking meds to treat their bipolar. But if someone drinks with said medications, it will result in some less than desirable side effects. Also, for me, when I am listening to more current interviews with Scott, I hear what is known by P-Docs as "word searching," as well as an overall sense of complete emotional detachment. The "word searching" is a helluva damn frustrating thing to experience. That side effect alone is enough to make a lot of people not want to take those meds. Do you ever have a thought or a word that comes to mind and have a sort of "brain fart" where you just completely forget what you were about to say? Well, imagine that happening to you on a regular basis. It is disheartening and frustrating. I mention emotional detachment because he doesn't seem expressive like he was before. He doesn't laugh at funny stuff the same as he did before. When he smiles, I no longer see it in his eyes. It's as if the light has gone. Granted, hardships and loss will do that to a person, but the psych meds just drive many people to a place that is completely apathetic.
