Martin Sheen: Charlie's Problems Are 'A Form Of Cancer'

people.com:

Charlie Sheen has had a tumultuous year to say the least -- but his father, legendary actor Martin Sheen, says he's making progress.

"He's doing well," the elder Sheen tells the U.K.'s Sky News of Charlie, 45. "We pray for him. If he had cancer, how would you treat him?"

Read the whole story: people.com

Comments

[sillag]

04:07 PM on 03/01/2011

Great! Blame the parents! Everybody is responsible the road he or she chooses to walk. As Charlie told Piers Morgan about his father's comment: "I'm 45, have 5 children." And he LIKES the way he lives. He reckons he's a winner. Well, we may think he's an addict. He doesn't. So, if he wants to kill himself, that is his right! Leave him alone to get on with it. If he's on self destruct we can't, and his father definitely can't, stop him. Anyone who has lived with an addict will know that until THEY decide to change NOBODY CAN MAKE THEM. Let him be to enjoy the rest of yearst he has left. It's his decision.

[rockgod]

10:41 PM on 02/24/2011

Great upbringing Martin Sheen. You are father of the year.

[CallMeLucky]

05:51 PM on 02/23/2011

I like Martin Sheen as an actor, but that was a moronic thing to say. Hopefully none of his children or loved ones should ever have cancer and force him to see that what Charlie Sheen is going through is nothing like cancer.

[Pegi]

05:08 PM on 02/23/2011

Love Martin Sheen - Charlie on the other hand is going to die if he doesn't give up the fight with booze and drugs. Some people's bottom is the grave, unfortunately.

[kadibo]

04:59 PM on 02/23/2011

I feel really bad for Charlie's parents. I admire how strong his father is in trying to get Charlie help. I do think Charlie is at the point of needing a Conservatorship. This has gone on too long!!! Enough already. I use to be a big fan but now I am just disgusted by all of it. GET SOME HELP! I think he should be locked up in a place that this illness could "wear off" so to speak...combined w/ intense counseling. I feel bad Charlie has to put SO many people through SO much!!!!

[nyaminyami]

04:57 PM on 02/23/2011

Addiction isn't a disease!
My father is an alcoholic, my mother died of pancreatic cancer and never drank or smoked - the difference in their situations couldn't be greater.
The analogy is false, enabling and a slap in the face to people with real diseases, especially cancer.

[momstudent]

04:57 PM on 02/23/2011

Perhaps a more truthful word needs to be mentally ill. Behind the majority of major addictions is some type of mental illness. Everything from depression, bipolar to OCD. Clearly, he has the genetics based on his father's addiction too. An addict needs to become sober BEFORE they can address any serious issues. When a child is ten and asked what he wants out of life, hopefully, none say..I want to be an addict. Very sad indeed.

[edn]

04:45 PM on 02/23/2011

We're not a very caring or supportive bunch on the Huffpost today, are we? All Mr. Sheen seemed to be saying is that his son is sick. That addiction is an illness, not unlike cancer. It didn't sound like he was trying to justify or defend his son. I certainly hope that none of you ever have to deal with someone who has an addiction to drugs or alcohol. These dependencies are actually physical and very hard to overcome. When someone does fight through it and then maintains their sobriety, they are almost always ashamed/surprised/embarrassed by their "under the influence" behaviour. Please note: I am not making excuses, nor giving his son an "out", I'm just trying to explain how his family sees it. He hardly seems like he's facilitating or condoning his son's behaviour.

[CallMeLucky]

05:54 PM on 02/23/2011

I don't think it's as much about sticking up for his kid, which as a father I understand, right or wrong, we love them. I think the issue is taking addiction and comparing it to cancer. Charlie Sheen can stop drinking if he chooses to do so, someone with cancer can't use their will to stop their tumors from growing.

[pompous]

04:40 PM on 02/23/2011

I have lost relatives from cancer and my take is people are being far too sensitive. Yes cancer is not self inflicted like addiction but it is a disease and probably not the best choice of words. Martin Sheen is a recovering alcoholic and has been married to Charlie's mom for 50 years and they have three other children. At one point Martin Sheen had Charlie arrested and refused to bail him out. Maybe his parents are lousy, doubtful, and his family enablers but in the end he needs to take responsibility for his own behaviour. Hopeful it will work for this family.

[Telly Savalas]

04:23 PM on 02/23/2011

I'm surprised at the shortage of grace and goodwill around here.
What if it were YOUR loved one?
I'm sure that any analogy he used would find someone to pick it apart.
What a tragedy to have a child with a serous problem like this. I know and there is sometimes nothing you can do, so what would you want him to say?
Charlie is a grown man and is responsible for his own behavior.

[TerribleMuriel]

04:16 PM on 02/23/2011

really bad choice of words

[msperry1123]

04:07 PM on 02/23/2011

Terrible analogy, and a shameful insult to cancer victims and to those who've lost loved ones to cancer. Charlie Sheen has behaved like a disgusting pig for years and addiction is just part of his problem. His consistently violent behavior toward women should have landed him in prison a long time ago.

[playsindirt]

04:16 PM on 02/23/2011

Completely agree. The elder Sheen is obviously part of Charlie's problem.

[littlepuffycloud]

04:06 PM on 02/23/2011

Sure Martin. Cancer and addiction are exactly the same, right?

[wizkid14]

03:57 PM on 02/23/2011

Stop it Martin! Charlie has gotten away with far too much for far too long! He will never be cured" in a "home rehab center""??? I have never heard of such. Why does he not have to go through the same channels that every other drug addict goes through? Particularly one with a criminal history as long as his. And why is it again that ppl never call him a wife beater because that's what he is!

[FlangeSqueal]

04:17 PM on 02/23/2011

Charlie was in REHAB ?! That was a SPIN DRY - what was it...ten days at HOME ?!

[bigdaveh]

03:54 PM on 02/23/2011

I went to high school with a bunch of "movie star kids" whose parents were always off filming somewhere. Each one carried demons from being left behind for someone else to raise. Some have taken their own lives, others wallow in their addiction (like Charlie), but few are sober.

They were all nannied to death.