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?
Heather Checks In to Lock Out Depression
Heather Locklear has taken some steps to sort out her personal life in as private a way as possible.
E! News has confirmed that the ageless blond bombshell checked herself into an in-patient treatment facility in Arizona in order to deal with issues of anxiety and depression and reevaluate her current condition.
“Heather has been dealing with anxiety and depression,” said publicist Cece Yorke. “She requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication and entered into a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment.
“This is a confidential medical matter and no further statement will be released.”
In March, paramedics were called to the actress’ Thousand Oaks, Calif., home by her psychiatrist, who phoned 911 and told authorities he was concerned that his patient might attempt to overdose on prescription medication.
The paramedics left the home almost as quickly as they arrived after determining that everything was all right. Locklear’s rep disputed any notion that the star was in a distressed state of mind, claiming she never requested medical assistance and that she was “fine.”
A source close the actress told People magazine that the 46-year-old has since switched doctors, with the new M.D. recommending she reevaluate her condition and medication.
Locklear’s ex-husband Richie Sambora, who himself had a stay in a treatment facility last year, is currently touring with Bon Jovi in Europe. According to People, the couple’s 10-year-old daughter, Ava, is staying with family.
Lindsay Not Asking for Your Consideration
Edie Falco, Elaine Stritch, Carrie Fisher, Vivica A. Fox, Sarah Silverman and the 35 other women who were good for a hearty laugh over the last year can rest easy.
Lindsay Lohan has decided not to submit herself for consideration at the upcoming 60th Annual Emmy Awards, despite being eligible for an Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series trophy for the not-quite-60 seconds she spent on screen in the season finale of Ugly Betty.
“The appearance was brief,” Lohan’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, told the Los Angeles Times’ Gold Derby blog. “We made a decision to wait.”
To be fair, Lohan’s Betty-tormenting character will have at least five episodes to strut her stuff next season, so no one can say for certain that the comebacking actress won’t leave an Emmy-worthy comedic footprint on the ABC comedy in the future.
Also in the running in 2008 after submitting their names to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are Mary-Kate Olsen, Jenny McCarthy, Alyssa Milano, Sherri Shepherd, Heather Locklear and, speaking of much-needed positive moments in the spotlight, Britney Spears.
A couple days ago, Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl said she didn’t give herself a chance for a Supporting Actress Emmy repeat this year because of her character’s lack of meaty material this season.
Sambora Cops Plea in Drunken-Driving Case
Richie Sambora is livin' on a plea.
Just hours after prosecutors in the O.C. slapped a pair of drunken-driving charges on the Bon Jovi guitarist, News has exclusively learned that Sambora has made a plea deal in the case.
The Lost Highway rocker pleaded no contest to a count of driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher. Because the charge was a misdemeanor, Sambora was not required to attend the hearing at Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. Instead, the plea was entered via his attorney, Blair Berk.
A second count of driving under the influence of alcohol was dismissed.
Judge Craig Robison sentenced Sambora to three years' informal probation. Sambora was also ordered to attend three months of alcohol-offender classes and pay court fees and restitution of about $1,600. He must also avoid drugs and alcohol during his probation.
The punishment is the routine sentence for first-time offenders, according to Orange County District Attorney spokeswoman Farrah Emami.
If convicted on both counts, Sambora could have faced up to six months in lockup.
Police pulled over Sambora at about 10:52 p.m. on March 25 after spotting his Hummer H2 straddling two lanes on the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.
After flubbing several field sobriety tests, the axman was taken into custody and given a blood test in lieu of a Breathalyzer. Authorities declined to disclose the results of his blood-alcohol content.
One count on which Sambora wasn't rung up: child endangerment. Police had recommended the charge because Sambora was driving with his and Heather Locklear's 10-year-old daughter, Ava, and another minor in the vehicle. The D.A., however, declined.
Sambora is currently on the road with Bon Jovi. The New Jersey natives are scheduled to play a show later tonight in Kansas City, Mo.
Additional reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum and Matthew Donnelly