Addiction experts critique Charlie Sheen's NBC Today Show interview

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Charlie Sheen’s interview on Monday, Feb. 27 on NBC’s Today Show is being analyzed by Kansas City, Missouri experts in drug and alcohol abuse.

It was Sheen’s first television interview since production on his television series, Two and a Half Men was shut-down.

Sheen responded to questions about his job, his addictions and his feelings about treatment programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.

Sheen told NBC’s Jeff Rossen that he cured himself of his addictions.

Addiction experts at First Call and Kansas City Community Center (KCCC) observed the interview and noticed classic addiction behaviors.

After watching the interview, Molly O’Neill, President and CEO of First Call, said she felt sorry for Sheen and for his family members who are likely devastated that Sheen is not getting the help he needs.

“I think it’s really important for people to come to understand that we’re talking about disease here; we’re talking about substance abuse disorders and mental health disorders and disease for which there is plenty of hope for recovery,” said O’Neill.

Callie Grantham, Program Manager at Kansas City Community Center noticed the dark circles around Sheen’s eyes and his weight loss.

“I think that right now he’s at a very dangerous point in his addiction,” said Grantham.

Both Grantham and O’Neill admit that they can’t diagnose Sheen by watching an interview; but they did notice some classic behavior of an addict as they watched Sheen respond to questions.

Grantham said Sheen displayed classic denial behavior.

O’Neill noticed that Sheen was demonstrating typical symptoms of loss of control many addicts exhibit.

First Call and Kansas City Community Center, offer alcohol and drug abuse treatment and recovery services.

You can contact First Call on 816-361-1455 or on their website at www.firstcallkc.org.

To reach Kansas City Community Center call 816-842-1805 or visit their website, at www.kccommunityctr.org.