The National Enquirer has a very interesting/funny/sad/angry-making story about Jennifer Aniston in this week’s print edition. I guess your reaction to it will depend on your views on Aniston. Personally, this story is something I’ve been wondering about her for a while. Specifically: What is going on with Aniston as far as drugs and alcohol go? I thought she seemed pretty toasty when she presented at the People’s Choice Awards, and I’ve read the rumors over the years about her pot-smoking, martini-guzzling and even some mutterings about a coke habit. Well, there’s no word on the cocaine, but this Enquirer story is making her sound like a big ol’ lush.

Jennifer Aniston’s friends are worried that she needs rehab. After a string of movie flops and failed romances, Aniston is numbing her emotional pain with booze, say pals. And after she appeared to stumble and slur her way through the People’s Choice Awards, those same friends have grown concerned that her drinking is becoming a serious problem.

“I think Jen may be drowning her sorrows over her dead-end love life and her slumping career. Some friends are beginning to wonder is she needs help,” a source tells The Enquirer. “Jen’s always been a partier, but now at times her drinking seems out of control.

Aniston reportedly loves wine, margaritas and martinis and has long been an admitted fan of marijuana.

“Jen used pot to mellow out,” said the source. “But lately it seems she drinks alcohol to take the edge off.”

To make matters worse, Jen used to be a social drinker, but lately she’s been hitting the bottle even when she’s alone. And her friendship with her drinking buddy Chelsea Handler hasn’t helped matters. Their Thanksgiving Mexican getaway was a booze-fest, say insiders.

“Jen guzzled margaritas, vodka, wine and champagne,” divulged the source. “Chelsea’s a big drinker, and every time they’re together she encourages Jen to cut loose.”

Unfortunately, Jen tends to get “sloppy” when she drinks, maintains the source.

“She starts slurring, then she gets emotional and starts reminiscing about losing Brad. And finally she ends up trashing Angelina.” When Jennifer threw a holiday party on December 4, “She had a drink in her hand all night and definitely was feeling no pain.”

“Jen’s friends are worried… they want her to get help is needs it. They are concerned Jen’s drinking and partying will escalate as long as she’s single, lonely and bored.”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition]

Does anyone else drink alone? I do. I’ve gotten to the age where I like to have a cocktail while I watch The Closer, you know? Do I get sloppy drunk by myself? No, but I like a cocktail or two by myself, so on the whole issue of “ZOMG Aniston is drinking alone!!” I can only say “meh.” As far as the rest of it – well, we’ll know it’s an issue if and when she gets a DUI. Except for the People’s Choice thing – and maybe the “retard” thing (where I thought she seemed coked up or high more than drunk) – Aniston seems like the kind of lush who does really well at “maintaining”. It’s not like she’s out at the clubs every night, making an ass out of herself. She’s just sitting at home drinking and whining. There are worse things.

Here she is slurring her way through presenting at the People’s Choice. “Surris” gets me every time.

Photos courtesy of Fame. Additional pics courtesy of Allure.