Anyone who's ever had a substance-induced blackout likely recalls a period of remorse, an "I did what?" moment.

Britney Spears appears to be having just such a moment, having dubbed her new album, which hits stores November 13 on Jive Records, Blackout. The album will be paced by her first single, "Gimme More," which soared 65 places to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart last week after selling 179,000 downloads.

The song is Spears' first top 10 hit since "Toxic" in March 2004 and her best showing on the chart since her smash debut "...Baby One More Time" hit No. 1 in 1999. Spears lip-synched to "Gimme More" during her much-derided performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards last month.

But while her music is getting some interest for a change, most of the attention remains squarely on Spears' personal life on the heels of a judge's decision to revoke her custody of her two young sons due "habitual, frequent, and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol."

The news has allowed a wide array of self-styled experts to weigh in on Spears' predicament.

Sharon Osbourne, wife of Ozzy and mother of Jack and Kelly Osbourne, told Entertainment Tonight that Spears has worked herself to death and is now in need of help.

"I think that she's lost the plot, she needs help, and she's got to get herself away from LA," she told the show. "Go away and get some therapy. She's gonna come back and be the Britney that we love and know."

But Dr. Phil McGraw isn't quite so optimistic.

The TV psychologist said on his CBS show last week that Spears is at risk of committing suicide.

"Right now I believe that Britney is so out of control, she probably couldn't stop this if she wanted to," he said. "I do think she is at suicide risk, and I think the things that have been at the top of her priority list for so long have been these children. I think at her heart and soul, she is a loving and caring mother, but with a toxic brain it's hard sometimes to do the reasoning."

"Maybe she needs to be involuntarily committed, she is not using good judgment at the time she was supposed to be at the hearing yesterday; she was seen at a Shell gas station, and walking her dog," he continued.

As for the custody case, Spears' ex-husband Kevin Federline retains full custody until the court rules otherwise. Spears was ordered to receive three individual counseling sessions by the next court hearing, scheduled for October 26.

And there's even an animal rights angle to the story, as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has sent an open letter to K-Fed asking him to pursue custody of Spears' pets, including a Yorkshire terrier puppy named London.

In the letter, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said Britney's animal care-taking skills had been "a serious concern of ours," in addition to being a source of public criticism. PETA fears that Britney is abusing her dogs.

PETA also believes the dogs should be with Spears' sons Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one, as they adjust to life with Federline.

"As a father, your main concern is the comfort and stability of your children," Ms Newkirk wrote to Federline.