A-List Secrets: Is There Really Rehab for That?
I just read about yet another celeb checking into rehab for something other than drugs or alcohol. Come on, really! Foot injuries? Depression? Are we supposed to believe all this?Not Buying It, Boulder, Colo.
You refer, of course, to Heather Locklear, who, depending on which report you read, has checked herself in to a “facility” or “rehab” for anxiety and depression.
There are real hospitals for that, you know.
“Some programs are actually for mental-health rehab,” says Dr. Sonja Keith, director of assessment and referral for the Las Encinas Hospital, which treats psychological and chemical dependency issues.
But here’s what it really means when you hear the word rehab…
Until we know exactly where in Arizona Locklear has sought treatment, the fun conspiracy theories about exactly what ails the former Melrose babe will have to wait. But here’s where celebrity rehab excuses start to fall apart: When they check into addiction treatment facilities for ailments that have nothing to do with drugs or alcohol.
Take Steven Tyler, who recently said he checked into Las Encinas to more peacefully recover from a foot injury. Las Encinas, as I have already reported, covers psychological and chemical dependency issues. A Las Encinas spokesperson wasn’t commenting on the whole thing a few weeks ago, but Keith seemed to shed some new light for me today.
“Not to be specific about any particular person checking in,” she told me, “but some people are given pain pills after they have surgery, and the patient may need to have drug rehab because of the pain-pill addiction postsurgery.”
Hmmm.
Lastly, we’ll speak of Kirsten Dunst. Dunst last told exclusively that she didn’t head to rehab for drugs or alcohol, but rather depression.
However, I’m told that Cirque Lodge, where she stayed, doesn’t accept patients suffering solely from mental illness. “People would have to come to our facility with at least an outward presentation of a substance abuse issue,” a Cirque Lodge spokesman tells me. “They are using alcohol or drugs in an inappropriate manner. It may seem like a chemical dependency issue, and then the client goes into treatment, and we discover there is an underlying issue.”
Of course. Such as one’s pants being on fire.
Oh, and be my fan on Facebook, ’kay?
CSI’s Gary Dourdan avoids jail time
On Monday, April 28, CSI star Gary Dourdan was arrested in Palm Springs, California. He was asleep in his car and when a police officer approached, he found Dourdan disoriented. The actor was arrested after the cop found cocaine, heroin, Ecstacy, miscellaneous prescription drugs and paraphernalia in the car. Despite pleading guilty to drug possession today, Dourdan will not have to do any jail time. In fact, in the deal his lawyer struck with prosecutors, Gary will get treatment for his drug problems. Basically, he lucked out.
“Once Gary completes 30 hours of a diversion program, his case will be entirely dismissed,” said his lawyer, Shawn Chapman Holley, in a statement to The Associated Press. Dourdan won’t have to do any time in a drug rehab facility or behind bars, so all things considered, he’s very, very fortunate. He could have faced up to three years or more in jail .
Gary has already departed CSI, and in the season finale, his character was seemingly killed in a point blank shooting. However, when Jorja Fox returns for the fall premiere, Dourdan is reportedly in the show. And not as a ghost. So, now that he won’t be doing time, he’ll have time to film scenes for CSI and, presumably, wrap up the unfinished business of the CSI crew exposing the corrupt under sheriff.
Amy Winehouse Overdoses, But No Rehab
Amy Winehouse Overdoses, But No Rehab
This is getting a little excessive. With all of her substance abuse problems culminating in an August 8th overdose/hospitalization, Amy Winehouse insists that she won’t go to rehab.
And her friends are worried about her. “Amy is determined that she will not go to rehab. She has no idea how close she came to dying. She has barely eaten anything and keeps being sick. She is in an incredibly fragile state, both physically and mentally.”
The “I’m No Good” singer took a lethal cocktail of drugs and drinks (including ecstasy, cocaine and horse tranquillizer ketamine along with whisky and vodka) during a party last week and landed in the emergency room of her local hospital. But despite her friends’ advice, Amy would rather spend time with her father.
“He sorts me out. When I get self-destructive I just need to spend time with my Dad. Rehab is a cop-out,” she told press.
Regarding her little episode, Winehouse said, “It was just crazy—one of the most terrifying moments of my life. I don’t know how to explain what happened. I don’t really know myself. I can’t remember what I looked like. I couldn’t recognize myself. It was terrifying—I was terrified.”
“I was so out of control. It just happened. It shocked me. I’m sorry—I just don’t know what got into me. I never want to feel that way again. I’ve scared myself this time. I was all over the place. I know things have got to change. I have to sort myself out.”
Update: Reports are now claiming that Amy and her husband have checked into a drug rehab facility in the US after admitting to coke and heroine addiction. We’ll have more as it becomes available.