Cory Monteith and faces of addiction

The recent death by overdose of Glee star Cory Monteith has served as a grim reminder that addiction is a fatal disease, even for the most talented and successful among us. Monteith's fresh face and squeaky-clean image is in stark contrast to the mental image many have for a heroin junky, or even for an addict.

Monteith on a promotional poster for Glee. Image via.

This has been a problem facing addicts seeking help for a long time, probably as long as addiction has been around. Addiction is a difficult disease for non-addicts to understand, without the added cognitive dissonance that comes with learning that your seemingly well-put-together friend has been hiding a major drug or alcohol problem.

Not every addict looks like this. Image via.

If a friend or loved one approaches you for help with a drug, alcohol, or other addiction problem, please remember to take them seriously, no matter how much they deviate from your preconceived picture of what an addict is supposed to look like. It could be a matter of life or death.