"I Like That" singer Houston -- who famously suffered an emotional breakdown in 2005 and gouged his own eye out with a fork -- has had a change in fortune ... because TMZ has learned, he just got off easy in his DUI case.

TMZ broke the story ...  Houston was arrested last year near Malibu after cops say he was driving erratically in his SUV. When cops approached the vehicle, they claim it smelled of marijuana ... and Houston looked drugged out ... so they placed him under arrest.

But last week, the DUI charge was reduced to a minor traffic infraction ... and the $100 fine was suspended ... meaning Houston pretty much got off scot-free. It's unclear why the charge was reduced.

As for Houston's 2005 breakdown -- the singer reportedly first attempted suicide by jumping out of a window while under the influence of PCP. His friends stopped him, but when they locked him in a first-floor room, Houston gouged his eye out with a plastic fork.


Houston was institutionalized for a year following the incident. He has since attributed the whole thing to "the pressures of fame."

Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina has a serious drinking problem ... so say family members and close friends who tell TMZ it's gotten even worse since she finished taping her reality show ... and they fear she could die unless she does something about it.

We broke the story ... many people close to B.K. feel she has allowed some of Whitney's enablers to get heavily involved in her life ... and if Bobbi doesn't cut them out soon, she's doomed to the same fate as her mom.

Those people -- sources say -- include various individuals who knew about Whitney's problems, but didn't take action when the singer's life was spiraling out of control.

Bobbi's problems were highlighted during the premiere episode of her Lifetime series, "The Houstons: On Our Own" ... which featured 19-year-old Bobbi slamming wine and slurring. The episode was taped a few months ago ... and our sources say the boozing has only gotten worse since the show wrapped.

During a tease for an upcoming episode, an emotional Pat Houston suggests taking Bobbi to California ... where Whitney received treatment from a drug counselor before she died.

Sources close to B.K. tell us ... they DON'T WANT Bobbi to see the same counselor, because they feel he did not help Whitney ... and will fail again with Bobbi.

"I Like That" singer Houston -- who famously suffered an emotional breakdown in 2005 and gouged his own eye out with a fork -- was arrested this week in L.A. for DUI ... and TMZ has obtained his mug shot.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, 28-year-old Houston -- full name Houston Summers -- was driving erratically near Malibu Wednesday in an older-looking SUV ... so cops pulled him over.

According to law enforcement, officers approached the vehicle and it smelled of marijuana. When police asked Houston questions, we're told his answers were incoherent.

Houston was then placed under arrest on suspicion of DUI. Sources tell TMZ, cops believe Houston was driving under the influence of drugs ... not alcohol.

The singer was released from jail Thursday. Calls to Houston were not returned.

As for Houston's 2005 breakdown -- the singer reportedly first attempted suicide by jumping out of a window while under the influence of PCP. His friends stopped him, but when they locked him in a first-floor room, Houston gouged his eye out with a plastic fork.


Houston was institutionalized for a year following the incident. He has since attributed the whole thing to "the pressures of fame."