In recent years, celebrity rehab has become a focal point in the public eye, thanks in part to the television show with Dr. Drew. This show revealed the ins and outs of the celebrity addiction treatment journey, showing the unexpected challenges of such an event. Celebrities are particularly vulnerable as audiences of millions watch them open up about trauma while wrestling back control of their lives.
The show has since been canceled, but its time on air called a fair bit of attention to the fact that addiction doesn’t discriminate; anyone with any amount of status and money can fall victim to the disease.
Where Do Celebrities Go to Rehab and Why?
Realizing you’ve become addicted to a substance is a particularly challenging experience. It may seem like your entire world is falling apart around you. Even so, there is hope in recognizing the problem; you’re on the first step on the journey towards a future of sobriety.
Fighting addiction is difficult no matter who it impacts, but celebrities and other high-profile individuals face significant difficulties. This fact is especially true when intense media coverage happens. Fortunately, it’s possible to find highly-rated celebrity rehab centers that specialize in these delicate situations.
Added Celebrity Challenges
Celebrities often have difficulty taking the empowered action necessary to heal from deep traumas and admit that they need help recovering. They may even be surrounded by people on their payroll who would prefer the celebrity continue using the substance for selfish reasons; for example, they may fear losing their benefits or getting cut off financially.
Fortunately, high-profile stars who have chosen to be vulnerable about substance abuse have been transparent about their fears, consequences, loneliness, and need for help from friends, family, and professionals. Magazine articles readily note celebrities with well-known histories of mental health and substance use challenges. Some stars have unfortunately relapsed or died due to accidents, long-term health consequences, or overdoses.
Drew Pinsky, MD, host of the Dr. Drew show and medical director of SoCal’s Las Encina’s Hospital, notes that many celebrity drug rehab centers are more like luxury spas than treatment centers. Facilities that advertise the VIP status of a celebrity and provide non-medical-based treatments without proven treatments are more of a “housing situation,” according to Dr. Pinsky.
Of course, many rehab centers that cater to celebrities are perfectly legitimate. Certified doctors run these programs. Also, they have doctors and nurses on staff to monitor the intense withdrawal symptoms many substances elicit during detox.
What is a Celebrity Addiction Treatment Center?
Over the last 20 years, celebrity rehab centers have evolved and become more well-known to the general public. These rehabs cater to actors, famous politicians, producers, singers, and other high-profile individuals with massive followings. They focus on providing top-notch accommodations along with anonymity and safety.
Some have questioned the use of the therapies often deployed at these facilities, such as:
- adventure therapy
- equine therapy
- luxury saunas
- art therapy
- yoga
- psychodrama
- surfing therapy
- hypnosis
Many of these supplementary therapies aren’t usually a part of the process at traditional treatment centers. However, they work well when they are not the exclusive means of treatment.
Evidence-Based Treatment
Traditional therapies, such as individual, group, and family therapy, must have an intense focus like traditional treatment centers for non-celebrities do. Too often, the vacation aspect of these treatment centers gets all the attention, which detracts from the proper process of rehabilitation. According to addiction experts, the “velvet glove” parts make for great television, but it’s not the primary thing that will help actual patients.
Actual addiction treatment for celebrities focuses on evidence-based practices and reality-based addiction treatment. Without an intense focus on recovery and return to sobriety, many people will relapse and resume drug addiction or alcoholism. No matter how famous you are or how much money you’ve made, everyone is vulnerable to addiction. Anyone who suffers from an addiction needs help to get clean.
Where Do Celebrities Go to Rehab and What Makes it Different?
There are several ways that providers ensure celebrity rehab centers stay private, especially because additional undue stress can cause obstacles in a patient’s recovery. Relapsing is a significant problem that all rehab centers face with patients, so relieving the external stress and involvement from the media is essential. Normal rehab facilities are also private, but they are not as likely to have the same luxury accommodations that celebrity centers do.
How Celebrity Rehab Sets Itself Apart
Celebrity centers go above and beyond in a few ways to make themselves safer and more appealing to stars and their addiction needs, including:
- private rooms
- private jet landing areas
- personal phone lines
- restrictions on people who can enter or leave the facility, depending on the facility itself
A celebrity center may also be on completely private land with additional security measures in place. As is the case with any medical center, the medical staff may not discuss the details of their patients or the nature of their addictions with anyone who is not authorized to discuss it.
Celebrity centers protect the image and confidentiality of their patients, promising additional guarantees of privacy for their stay. Celebrities can receive the same evidence-based medical assistance as everyone else while enjoying the peace of mind that their chosen center provides with privacy and security. Many stars can usually afford more expensive treatment, brands, or types of medication-assisted therapies that could also assist their recovery.
Legitimate rehabs hire licensed medical staff capable of providing medical care to celebrities undergoing detox and withdrawal. Further, celebrities also have access to support groups and, sometimes, additional family support depending on the facility.
Many celebrity-focused centers are built on acres of land and feature:
- private rooms
- spas
- yoga rooms
- nutritionists
- master chefs
- personal trainers
- meditation gardens
Support Systems for Celebrities After Addiction Treatment
After a star finishes rehab, there are specific programs and guidelines to follow to minimize the chance of relapse. Many celebrity centers provide aftercare programs and sober living activities, which are programs designed to help recovering patients return to everyday life.
Aftercare may include:
- Practicing self-care
- Finding useful support groups
- Finding new hobbies
- Attending counseling or therapy
- Finding new social circles
- Finding a support system
- Focusing on goals after rehab
- Finding healthy and safe living arrangements
Creating an Aftercare Plan
Aftercare shouldn’t be an afterthought; it’s a crucial stage in the rehab process, allowing for strategies designed to improve coping skills and prevent relapse.
Technically, aftercare starts the moment you finish a recovery program and are ready to resume living in your community once again. In practice, this phase begins the moment treatment begins. Even during the detox stage, a qualified treatment team will identify the tools you’ll require for success following the end of the program. Staff members will bring their extensive knowledge of program resources to usher patients through all the necessary steps, such as setting up contacts, schedules, and effective treatment regimens.
The aftercare step allows celebrity patients to continue living healthy for as long as he or she is committed to living a meaningful life in sober recovery. Those who remain sober and stay abstinent after rehab usually attribute their success to a robust aftercare program that includes:
- mutual support groups
- alumni organizations
- 12-step meetings
- volunteer activities that encourage sobriety
Participating in these aftercare activities allows celebrities to stay connected to the world through people with common goals who can inspire and motivate each other while carving out the future everyone really wants.
Sober Living
Sober living homes allow patients to transition from rehab to living with others. In these homes, residents run errands as required and go through the days with guidelines that respect sobriety. Many facilities have sober living programs that allow for a seamless transition from rehab into the home.
Why Are Celebrities Common Victims of Addiction?
Celebrities often work long, demanding hours and regularly go on tour, both of which can lead to poor mental health, long hours away from family, loneliness, physical exhaustion, poor nutrition, and overall stress. In turn, all the demands of their fame may make it impossible for the star to take time away to cope in healthier ways. Finally, there is a constant temptation that challenges a celebrity to abandon sobriety and enter an unhealthy lifestyle.
Historically, some stars come from families with histories of addiction and depression. Some suffer nervous breakdowns after struggling to adapt to newfound fame, and others have accidentally overdosed on fatal prescription medication combinations. Constant exposure to environments where drugs and alcohol are readily available can lead to addiction. Also, those who may not be receiving treatment for mental health disorders might develop substance use disorders. Finally, job instability may also lead to addiction.
For many people, living a life of fame is a rewarding experience. Not only do many celebrities have adoring and loyal fans, but they’re also highly valued and have lots of respect from millions of people around the world. The thought of living a life with plenty of freedom to do something you’re passionate about ultimately makes for a rewarding lifestyle. However, the extreme popularity, power, money, love, and respect come with their own sets of challenges.
Contact Coastal Detox Today
Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, contact us today to learn more about how Coastal Detox can get you started on a journey toward sobriety.
