Expert Discusses Britney Spears' Declining Mental State

Britney Spears is "sort of our new Michael Jackson," says Drew Pinsky (a.k.a. Dr. Drew) in an interview with Us Weekly. The sex, mental health and drug addiction expert talks about the traumas in Britney's past â€" and how they may explain the precipitous mental decline happening before our eyes. Excerpts below ...

US: What in Britney Spears' childhood led her to where she is now?
Dr. Drew: It's how her father (Jamie Spears) treated her, it's the divorce (of her parents, and of herself and two husbands) and it's the genetics.

US: What about the fact that she became a star at such a young age?
Dr. Drew: Her mental health has almost nothing to do with her career. But fame hinders getting to her now. It is hard to get through those who are enabling her (Sam Lutfi, Alli Sims) and find the people willing to potentially sacrifice either a salary or access to her (Larry Rudolph) by bringing her into treatment. That is what is putting her in danger. That is what killed Anna Nicole Smith.

Britney is bonkers, but not beyond help, says Dr. Drew.

US: What about the effects from Britney Spears being sexually active from age 14, dressing provocatively, losing her virginity (to Reg Jones), and yet at the same time maintaining this image of purity and virginity?
Dr. Drew: I have seen many cases of young girls who have been prematurely sexualized in one fashion or another who try to recapture their virginity. They claim that the abuse doesn't count. I see that quite a bit.

US: What can be done for Britney Spears? Is she permanently damaged?
Dr. Drew: She is not an untreatable situation, but she needs to go away and drop out of sight and focus on sobriety for at least nine months.

US: Can she leave her kids?
Dr. Drew: [Sean Preston and Jayden James] can be brought into the process. But, for at least 30 days, she is going to be mostly away from them. Then, for six months, she can be in an intensive environment. It's going to take a long time.

Continue reading Dr. Drew's Us interview regarding Britney's mental state ...