As the second season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew comes to a close, so does our commentary from Dr. Drew (for now, at least). Below, Drew comments on the episode’s major points — Jeff’s departure, Nikki’s uncertainty, Gary’s ostensible regression — and gives his final thoughts on all of this season’s patients.
How was it for you to have to throw Jeff out of the program?
It was horrible. I love Jeff. It was a hideous last straw, and I was sorry that it came to that. We spent quite a bit of time preparing Vicki to move away from him, to report this, to provide her a place to stay. At the last minute, she just caved in and went with him. The whole thing was very disappointing and sad. And then when he got home, he was doing a bunch of drugs, which is no surprise.
He did them to spite you, it seems.
Well, be aware that he called me about a month later to apologize for his behavior. He acknowledged how tough it all must have been for me. He told me he appreciates our relationship and he knows I care about him. So, we’ve gotten past all that.
Are you still in communication with him?
Well, I talked to his doctor and I heard he’s had another back surgery. I hope it cures him. My expectations are low.
Sober living is the topic of the episode. I know this was discussed a lot last season, but it seems emphasized even more this season.
Probably because we had a lot more people willing to go. Almost everyone was thinking about going. There was a little back-and-forth and the usual reaction to leaving treatment. Amy, a social worker I know, wrote me a letter once describing what it’s like when patients are about to leave treatment and they start demeaning the experience and the staff. She has a way of describing this to her students. She brings in a bird’s nest and says, “When the mother pushes them out of the nest and they leave for good, look what they leave behind: a bunch of bird s***.” They s*** in the nest just before they go.
You’ve alluded to it before, but at the point of graduation, was this group worse off than the last?
Well, I’d say this was a tougher group. There was a lot more going on with them. There were not as many young people. Young people have their own challenges. They have difficulty taking treatment seriously. But people who have been sick a long time have been sick a long time for a reason. The probability of a three-week course of treatment leading to successful outcome is pretty low.
Celebrity Rehab doesn’t really offer built-in happy endings.
No, it’s ongoing treatment. It’s like teaching someone how to take insulin. You don’t just walk away with the insulin after and say, “OK, you’re better.” They have to keep doing the treatment. It takes a long time, a lot of energy. It’s a big commitment.
What did you think about the apprehension of Nikki’s husband regarding treatment?
It was disappointing. I think he really doesn’t understand her condition. During family weekend, he suggested that his ninja powers could control her disease. I still think he kind of thinks that way. I understand he wants her home. I get that. But it was sad for me that he was pushing so hard the other way.
Gary starts talking about speaking at sober living versus enrolling in it. It seems like he regressed all the way back to the Gary of Episode 1.
I know! It was shocking. My favorite response was from Amber, during the last morning meeting, when Shelly was going around asking what people’s plans were. Amber goes, “I plan on going to a sober living where there aren’t people speaking there who aren’t sicker than me.” She is so funny sometimes.
Let’s go through your final impressions of the graduating Rehabbers. First to graduate was Tawny.
My concern with Tawny was that she was going to minimize her problem. She’d done well in some respects, but others–her way of thinking and minimizing–threatened her sobriety. She was ambivalent about sober living. Finally, she decided on an outpatient program. I didn’t feel that she had to attend sober living, because she’s had a lot of sobriety, she knows the program, she’s got a lot of structure and support. I wasn’t mortified that she wasn’t going to sober living, but I was worried.
Rodney?
Fellowship for him is the key. He just thrives in the treatment environment and around sober peers. The longer we can keep him in that environment, the better, so I was thrilled he was going to sober living.
It seemed like he was the most improved patient, compared to where he stared.
I don’t know about most improved, but he was a delightful surprise. And he was the steadiest. He never went off course.
Amber?
She’s very fragile and knows it. Mom needs more treatment, she needs more treatment. Sober living is key for her. She has to establish an independent life from her mom, and she’s never done that before. She’s still experiencing some withdrawal symptoms and she has a very powerful drive to use again. She really needs sober living.
Steven?
He’s never been sober in his life, practically. He needs months and months of stability. When he was talking about going on tour on the family weekend, it just seemed crazy to me. I can’t imagine something worse for him. The fact that he was open to sober living was crucial. Probably more than anybody, Steven needs structure, structure, structure
Sean?
I did not expect him to go to sober living, as he was not taking treatment seriously. But I kept pounding him about needing to own his life. He lives in the shadow of other people’s lives. The way he makes his living and his public persona, he hasn’t done the groundwork to build who he really is. I told him to own everything and just take a simple job somewhere, but he wanted none of that. I don’t see Sean being happy until he owns his own life. There are too many goodies to be had living his family’s life.
Are you hinting at the popular opinion of Sean, that he’s a spoiled brat?
I don’t experience it that way. I’m not sure if I blame him, even. He’s got so many goodies to chase, how do you pull him back to a simple life? Maybe he’ll find some sobriety. I hope so.
Nikki?
She’s like Steven, in that she really needs more treatment. She’s still, at this stage, very resistant to the treatment, still contemplating participation. She needed a lot more structure. She would say, “I don’t know how it’s going to be when I get back to Texas!” I’d go, “You’re gonna get a sponsor, go to meetings…” We’d say this everyday to her, and everyday it was like she’d never said it. It was frustrating.
Finally, there’s Gary.
Gary doesn’t have any intention to go to sober living, to Amber’s relief (laughs). I’m not sure Gary needed it. He had some interesting growth and agreed to put aside substances for good. He doesn’t have the part of the brain operating where the power of the disease operates. I’m not as concerned about him as some of the other ones. But you know, he needs structure, he needs to take his medication. I think he understands a few things that he didn’t before.
As a treatment provider, how satisfied were you with this experience?
More people go to sober living in this group and that’s always a good sign. As I said, this group is really tough and to have them all make a lot of progress made me pleased. They were able to do some work. Generally in rehab, you have a group of nine people, many of whom have some sort of nefarious motivation. They enter treatment because their family wants them to. They’ll come in and do nothing. They won’t even attend group. Half my unit is filled with people doing zero work, usually. To have a group of people that don’t believe they’re on death’s door, which is really what motivates people to attend groups, to have that and to have them participating, contemplating long-term sobriety…that’s amazing! People don’t understand that rehab is a long-term proposition. It’s unraveling a lifetime of addiction.
Be sure to check in tomorrow for some details regarding Sober House, the Celebrity Rehab spin-off that’s coming in 2009!
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85 responses to to Examining Rehab 2 With Dr. Drew – Finale
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Dr. Drew,
I started drinking,etc. when I was 14 years old. I raised two girls on my own working two or three jobs. I drink too much, over 30 years now with other substances included in my youth. I don’t have the funds or anything to help me…help me. Why don’t you once in awhile have a person like me who is really trying and just can’t do it on their own on the show. It would be interesting. I’m not saying it should be me…just someone. My daughter..my youngest is strong just like I was and in her masters program at a University in PA. I now work in the funeral and cemetery business and feel at home there but I still need help. I got over cocaine without help in my 20′s but I have a bloodline of alcohol in my family. How about helping someone without the fame and fortune. I realize at this point they probably don’t have the fortune. She is getting married September of 2009 and I want her to be proud of me. I’m not even though business wise I’m in the right place. Can you help me? I don’t expect much…just want to make her proud. When she graduated from college May 2008 she left alot of booze in the house and my girls were placing bets on whether or not I would touch it…I didn’t. I need respect back. They didn’t seem to matter when they had credit cards starting at 11yrs old…when I fell down and couldn’t pay the bills I lost that. Sorry for the long lines…just need help and can’t afford it. I was voted the most spirited girl in my senior class and homecoming queen…what happened?
I watch this show and I see so many different people in my family and my husbands. It is disheartning to think that most of these people even with your help are going to fall back to thier old ways of life. I see it over and over with member of my family that they keep falling back to thier old behavour. Is there any thing that can get them to stop other then death. Watching Jeff reminds me of my brother and Gary is my husband. And then there are member that don’t abuse subsances at all.
Dr. Drew and crew, you folks are incrediable. I’m a full blow herion addict, alcoholic as well. I’ve watched both of your rehabs. You’ve done some fine work. I’m very impressed with tonites finale. This is a life long work in progress with sobriety. For me the first 90 days were very important, I went to meetings 3 to 4 times aday. I feared for my life and still do, I continue to go to meetings and I’m so impressed with your program, you give HOPE for all of us, doing the NEXT RIGHT THING is so important. Bob, Shelly, and rest are really the back bone of PRC. We are so delicate in the first stages of recovery. LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER SOBER….Rodney, Tawny, Amber, Sean, Nikki, Steve, Gary, Seth, and of coarse Jeff/Vicki, Its all about changing the person you bring in, behavioral changes are so critical to continued sobriety. Learning Life all over again, I stunted my growth as an adult at 39. MY family and personal life are the best they have ever ever ever been. Your graduating class put tears in my eyes tonite, Dr. Drew, you exhibit tolerance, patients, caring, undestanding, love, discipline, telling people the way it is, you’ve been put on this earth for one reason and one reason only. I hope to come to California in April, 2009 to go to PSI, napa valley, ca to enhance my skills and dig deep into my life. I would luv nothing more then to meet up with you if time permits. Again, looking forward to continued service that you provide to addicts like myself and others in the world.
let me let you know how amazing you r dr drew you r an angel sent here t do the best you can do i love the show i love all that you do you make me laugh and cry i cant wait till the new show neverrrrrrrrr stop blessing the world with your heavenly light i love you
Dr. Drew,
You do not need to post this, because it’s irrelevant to the episode, although i must say i’m SO happy Nikki is going into Sober Living. The previews for Sober House are scary though. But i was wondering, what did you go to school for, like your major in college?
My ex boyfriend is 20 and has been in and out of rehab since he was 17 and he saw counselors, and doctors just like you. In the back of my mind i’ve always wanted to help addicts. My major now is Special Education, but i’m considering changing it.
I go to a community college outside of Detroit and they don’t help me at all with anything i’m interested in doing with my life. So could you please just tell me what you majored in, or like any tidbit of information that may help.
Thank you so much, and the show REALLY inspired me.
-Kayla M
from 14 to 17 i shot heroin and did other dugs…qualudes, coke, etc. lots of lsd, angel dust all the bad stuff. at 17 i was put on methadone. it was a 5 year detox program (outpatient). i detoxed off the methadone in 18 months using acupuncture and sulfer. back then you get matches in books (it was the 70′s) and if you lit a match and blew it out quickly and then inhaled the sulfer it got rid of the craving for H. i stayed clean for the most part and only smoked an occasional joint the next 20 years or so. i got addicted to valium then. they were doctor prescribed! i got off them myself. fast forward to now 30 years after i quit methadone and had to have surgery which meant the doctor put me on vicodin. the surgery did not work so the doctor kept upping my meds. i’m allowed up to 8 a day but guess what? i only take 1 or 2 a day and only if the ibuprophen doesn’t give me any relief at all.
dr drew, it can be done without living in a sterile environment! sure i get tempted! i never went o meetings except at the clinic. you have to make a decision to do it for yourself and your kids and your husband and your parents and everyone that you love and that loves you. i have real strong feelings about rodney king! my heart tells me he will make it for sure! i don’t know about the rest but hope they all do but rodney will. he’s an amazing man :) i have tons of respect for him! ok, that’s all or i will start to sound like gary, lol. point is it can be done in the real world!
Am I the only one that noticed……..most of the show, Nikki appeared high on cocaine? It was totally obvious.
You have done an awsome job Dr. Drew, but do you treat the “poor” people? Do you take as much time with County Joe that you take with the spoied rich people? What you do for the celebs, normal people would be honored for that opportunity, And would appreciate it much more.
I couldn’t find the stars blog to be able to leave them a message. I would like to congratulate all of them. I am worried about Gary, who I adore, he is in denial. I know y’all realize that, I just hope when this is televised, you wiill focus on him. Steve, whom I never listened to his music, he will od. Sean just want love from his parents and when he does’t get it, are you going to be with him everystep of the way? Cause if not, I don’t think he will.survive
I know there will not be a person on your team that reads this, but I believe my opinions are extremely important for you to take into consideration. How about your next “rehab” be for the little people that cannot pay fori t.
who was lee bloom in memormiam at the end of the last episode
Dear Dr. Drew,
I just finished watching the last episode. This entire season has been very powerful. I am a recovering alcoholic with one year of sobriety. I understand how very hard recovery is and how baffling this affliction is. I felt great compassion for each person involved in this recovery program,but I felt truly drawn to Amber. Amber truly appears to be an amazing person. I found myself crying during the meeting she had with her mother, I guess, because my mother was also an addict incapable of expressing any true love or compassion for me. It was only after I completely separated myself from my parents that I was finally able to pull my own life together.
I hope that Amber is finally able to live her own life, and allow her mother to be responsible for herself. It sounds like Amber, having two addict parents, has never been free to live life on her own terms. I can only guess that Amber probably never truly had a childhood, I understand the long term affects of that!
Wishing you continued success and much happiness!
I think you do a great job with these people and are very dedicated to what you do. I admire the time and patience you put into helping people toward the road to recovery. I felt especially sorry for Vicki, I got the impression from watching the final episode that she didn’t really want to go with Jeff but that maybe she felt she “had” to go out of some sense of obligation to him. I can relate to what she may be going through because I was in a relationship that was just like hers and Jeff. I hope she can someday find the inner strength as I did to realize that she deserves better before its too late. Finally I hope Rodney King continues to recover from his addiction to alcohol, from watching his progress over these last weeks he seems like a kind and conpassionate human being, I wish him nothing but continued success.
Good luck to you all and God Bless!
I think Dr. Drew and the counselors, nurses, all the staff involved have incredible hearts for this mission of helping addicts. But they’re not just helping addicts, they are helping families and their future generations. My question is I see celebrities making it sober. I know regular Joe’s can make it too. What happens to the celebrities after Sober Living, after the lights and fame – again leave their presence. They are in the spotlight once again, helping them stay sober. People genuinely want them to get their lives back. After the cameras are gone, will they relapse due to no crowd praising them for staying sober, a normal part of life? What is the transition from Sober Living to genuine living like?
I have been a sober member of a twelve step program for almost 15 months. As much as recovery is based upon love and tolerance i find myself perplexed by the methods being taken to keep these people sober. It disgusts me to see them say eww..this house is horrible it looks like houses i used to use in. That house is a mansion to most people. I think they should go down to a normal halfway house an central phoenix or lark or some other detox for “normal” people and get their heads out of their butts. Because here is your situation guys: you are faced with dying or doing something to better yourself so god forbid getting sober entails you not having a ten million dollar mansion to stay in. You either want to stay sober or you don’t. Programs offer a better way of life if you do the footwork, follow suggestions, develop a relationship with a higher power, and help another alcoholic… because if you are an addict like me you’ve tried every other possible way to get clean and it doesn’t happen. you are being offered a way of life beyond your wildest dreams and expectations, far surpassing all of the external crap that you think makes it ok to drink because your not in the gutter..yet… because you have money or cars…because on the inside you are dying. So suck it up if you want to stay sober, truly, you’d go to the salvation army if thats what it took. If not, you don’t want it and theres no way on earth your gunna get it. Here is one of my favorite passages from the big book… i suggest you get it… you’ll be amazed…
“There is no more aloneness, with that awful ache, so deep in the heart of every alcoholic, that nothing before, could ever reach it. That ache is gone and need never return again. Now there is a sense of belonging, of being wanted and needed and loved. In return for a bottle and a hangover, we have been given the Keys of the Kingdom”
at 16 I started using reds&rainbows, they got hard to get so I started on Herion til I was 56. only time I was clean is when I was in jail or real prison. I have been to na meetings and met more people to put me with more sellers. Most of those people are court ordered not there cuz they want to be. The meth clinic I met even more people, I new people from LA county, Orange county & San Bernardino. I couldn’t stay clean. Sept 8th 2006 I moved to Texas with my sis , she wanted to take to the clinic, but I wouldn’t because I would find out where all the drugs are, I have been clean for 27 mo. the first for me and it feels good.Getting clean I did find out I have Hep C. I almost died I was throwing up blood…….alot……fluid on my stomach, ICU for 19 days they took off 39 1/2 liters of fluid that came back 3wks after I came home. but got a good DR. and doing great.I was with a man like Jeff, all he cares is how high he can get. I hope everyone makes it.I am 58 and have wasted my life. I do have something good that came from this. 2 girls 2 sons,9 grandkids and 1 greatgrandson. They are my heart and what keep me going. THEIR LOVE FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! !
compassion for Vicki?
I think she is a leach , a blood sucker who is with Jeff for the free ride. We know she *@`$&&@%^@~&(#) aulted him to get the coke he had, she is a terrible person in my humble opinion. I have known people like her, believe me if Jeff got clean she would leave . She was ready to leave him when she was thinking he was going to saty clean, but when he quit rehab, here she goes back with him, I do not like her at all.
Vicky is a real scank, totally a coke ho. Jeff is an addict and I think he wants to get clean, but with scanky hoes like Vicky enabling him he can not
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT IS REALLY HARD FOR ME, SOMEONE WHO IS LIVING WITH SOMEONE IN THE MIDDLE OF ADDICTION, TO WATCH JEFF CONWAY, WHO WAS GIVEN NOT ONE BUT TWO CHANCES AT REHAB, BE SO,SELFISH AN UNAPPRECIATIVE OFTHE HELP THAT WAS OFFERED/GIVEN TO HIM. SOME OF US CAN’T EVEN AFFORD REHAB, AND ARE NOT AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE ONES WE LOVE TREATED FOR THIS AWFUL, DISTRUCTIVE, AND GUT-WRENCHING DISEASE. YET HE CONTINUES TO WASTE THE TIME AND SKILLS OF DR. DREW AND HIS STAFF. IF AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE JEFF HAD WAS PESENTED TO MYSELF ANF MY FAMILY, IT WOULD NOT ONLY BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, BUT CHERISHED FOR THE TRUE GIFT THAT IT IS, AND NOT TOSSED AWAY, OUT OF SPITE OR IGNORANCE!!!!!!!!
In response to Kelly’s comment that she thought Nikki was high on cocaine—it appears much more to me that she is experiencing some side effects of prescription medications (not controlled substances or narcotic/addictive but therapeutic). It may also be a consequence of her recent withdrawal from alcohol and cocaine, but it appears much more like a response to an appropriate medication to help with her mood or depression. I find her to be earnest in her wish for continued sobriety and hope that whatever is causing it to ease off over time as I am sure she is very aware of the issue. She doesn’t really need (or deserve to have) people make nasty comments without knowing more about her situation. Despite the obvious fact that these celebrities are getting treatment, I think that by revealing some of the realities of the rehab process they are helping countless others out there find inspiration and hope in their journey that they are so generously sharing with us all. So in that way they are giving back to us, as we watch, cry and many find hope that it might happen for themselves or someone they love. Good luck to them all.
Amber… this is for you, hope you get this….. you had and can have it all again, i know it’s hard and I too had to just make a clean break from my parents. may not be for the same reason, fortunately, however it doesn’t make it any easier… don’t know the entire story, know that tv and what you read isn’t the entire story!!!!!!! If you ever need to talk, e-mail only is fine, I know you don’t know me…. wish you the best…. Dave i submitted my e-mail already
I was wondering why Jeff was given pain management classes. When I was a little girl my dad had alot of surgeries on his neck and back.He became mean and violent just like Jeff. He was taking pills by the handfuls.He had a Doctor that was every addicts dream he gave my dad a signed perscription pad of course he used it .Enough was enough my mom and I started flushing the pills down the toilet. I ‘m sure you can imagine the war zone that created,but it also brought my dad out of his fog enough to get into the classes.The same man that thought he would die from the pain and had to have the pills,stopped the pills started working out and almost regained full use of his neck(they told him he would have to wear a neckbrace the rest of his life) instead he started his on carpentry bussiness. There is alot more to the story.But the point is my dad was exactly like Jeff the whoa-is-me self-torturing life addictions.
I found Amber’s comments when they were sitting around talking to Seth about the Sober Living disturbing. Seems to me she isn’t serious about staying/being sober if her first thought is how long does it take alcohol to get out of the system.
I wish there were a place to follow the progress of the celebrities participating in the program. For instance I know Jessica from season one relapsed and got in trouble with the law. Dr Drew went there and stood for her, she was remanded to his custody and returned to rehab. How is she doing now, is she still in the program? She really touched me for some reason and I pray for her daily.
I pray for all the “real people: who have commented about their own struggles with addiction, who can’t afford to enter a program such as the one featured in this show. My wish is that you all get inspiration and hope from watching and find your way to sobriety.
Shelly, you are an inspiration to me, who fights an addiction of my own, though not to drugs or alcohol. You have so much to offer those fortunate enough to be invited to/involved with this program. My heart went out to you during the episode where Seth was smoking crack on the roof and the following episode where you struggled so much with the aftermath of that and dealing with Steven and his outbursts.
Dr Drew, you are to be commended for your work with these people. They have or had more then most of us ever dream of and due to their illness/addiction lost their way. You work with them to identify their demons, to find a new path. Your compassion and desire to help those in the program is evident in every episode. Though you likely don’t hear it often from those you treat and care for so deeply, thank you…
Have u guys heard that he ever appeared on the wealthy dating club ===Rich Loving. com=== for hot singles to hook up? There are his hot photos and Lots of hot girls are found in his circle there. I’ve been there for days, it seems the girls are not hard to hook up with.lol
at this point in time, I just don’t feel sorry for Jeff anymore. I understand it’s a process that requires patience, understanding, etc. but his behavior is more like a 5yr old. Anytime something didnt go exactly his way he threw a tantrum, taking the focus away from the group and putting it all on him (again) He needs to accept the fact that he has disabilities and learn how to have a productive life while managing his pain. He has to quit hiding behind the whole “back pain” for his reasons to use a ton of drugs. I have Fibromyalgia, Spinal Stenosis and 3 bulging herniated discs in my lower back. I have tried all of the pain management, physical therapy, etc. In my case it provided (very) short term relief. My Dr. is against surgery for a few reasons, being that as of right now there is no nerve damage, surgery doesn’t guarantee success and generally one surgery will lead to mulitple surgeries (perfect example=Jeff) Anyway, I am on a variety of meds mainly to deal with the Fibromyalgia but I am on a low dose of Oxycontin. I am closely monitered by my Dr.and I take the medication as directed. I have had this disability since I was 27 ( I am now 35) yes it’s hard some days, but once I accepted that this is what I have to deal with I moved on. Life is too short and I won’t spend it full of self pity. It’s a shame that Jeff doesn’t realize it. It’s also a shame that there are people who are perfectly healthy putting these drugs into their bodies, when there are people like me out there who would give anything to not have to.
This commet goes out to Amber, I understand 1st hand on how she feels and what she has lived though and continues to live threw, I was very close to my father, I am a only child, and my mother died when I was 9 years old, (I am 49 now), My father died @ 82, 14 years ago, I was lost ,devistated, a part of me died inside. I have used everything since the age of 13, still do. I am a very functioning adict. I use extream amounts of perscription pain pills and benzos every single day. It is a life of hell, but without the drugs it is worse than imaginable. I was clean 2 years ago, I was hospitalized for 1 week form a overdose, and signed myself out. I was clean for about 3 months but fell back into the same riual. My heart breaks for Amber because she is me only a few more years down the road, Me I mean), I had it all, I was left with a fortune by my father, I lost it a few years later due to a crocked financial planner, only because I was always too high to take care of my own business. Now I live day to day, I married for all the wrong reasons 3 months after I found out I was broke to a man I barly knew to pay my bills and to live the way I was accustomed to living, I am still in that relationship, but it is a struggle. Amber is headed for the same, waste of life that I have become, please give her my best and ask her to learn from others, my life has spirled down and will remain there forever. she can fix it, its not too late for her. By the way, I modeled, still have my looks, and still am living the same lie I always have my entire life, Truely good looks is curse, if you use it the way I always have. God Bless Amber and everyone that struggles every day with this sickness, it is a life of living in Hell.
First of alI, I’ve never been addicted to drugs or alcohol( maybe food and credit cards), so I really can’t speak from experience just an observer’s point of view.
To Sean, from watching the show my heart goes out to you, I want to adopt you and bring you home with me, not in a stalker way but as a mother of an 11 year old son. I feel bad that no one showed up for you on graduation day, a good mother is never too busy for her son, where was she? Is your relationship with her bad? I don’t understand no matter what your dad is doing or how many kids he has a child that is in trouble always needs someone. I’ve lost respect for your dad. As a educator also you strike me as a child who didn’t get enough attention, just like you said on the show. My thoughts are to turn all those ill thoughts of your childhood and what people have said about you into fire in your belly and prove everyone wrong. Get away from the LA life move somewhere that all that crap doesn’t matter anymore and get a fresh start, still use your parent’s money if you need it but find something to do with your life even if it’s something like surfing everyday but use all that nervous energy and free time so you won’t have to think about that crap.
Anyway I wish you well, I’ll be your surrogate parent by email if you need one, or hell come to Kentucky and move in with us, as my son says and you can get “The Talk” when you mess up.
To Amber, you are the most beautiful girl that has ever been on tv or in magazines, my husband thinks so and I’m not a lesbo but have to agree. In my opinion like others on here have said you need to distance yourself from your mother and start a fresh life, she needs to support herself. She puts too much pressure on you, you’ve already done a lot for her now it’s time for you. Send her money and visit when you get on your feet. I’m sure when your off drugs for a while any agency would have to be crazy not to hire you. Their has to be thousands of men who would love to have a relationship with you, pick wisely though. Good luck to you I’ll be watching for you in magazines and on tv.
To Dr. Drew, you have a big heart you truly care about these people. As an educator I noticed some things that Nikki does that I think would be considered tics like with Tourette’s Syndrome, some commented that they thought she was still high. What do you think? If so, could she take medication for this with a dependency problem? Drew you’re sexy as hell, with the ties. You rock!
Loved the show, can’t wait til new show, want to know more about Bob, and the girls and their lives.
So im going to have to disagree with Dr. Drew. Jeff Conway can still have an acting career. This last episode proves it. He finished the season in his typical dramatic fashion. The way he uses his back pain when ever its convinent to him, puzzles me. He can move around just fine when need be and even kick his girlfriend from a laying position. He is still an actor at heart and obviously good enough to provide most of the memorable segments from both seasons. I just hope he finally gets it together and can clean up for good. As for Gary Bussey, the guy is just plain crazy. Sober or not, the guy is a mess and needs more than just what the show provided. To the rest of the cast I wish them luck in their continued journeys. To Dr. Drew, you truly are a great individual to take on people with such different addictions and let vh1 document the whole thing. Thank you for all you do.
To the Producer or Dr. Drew,
If there are plans for a season III, I implore you not to bring Jeff back.
He is a detriment to others in the group as well as himself.
Dr Drew – I applaud the great depths of caring and all the efforts you make to help the participants.
Poor Jeff Conaway (Mr. “I’m the victim”, “l’m going to call 911″ & “what about me”) all he did was disrupt the entire rehab clinic. He’s no more serious about getting sober than the man in the moon. He has too many pschycological issues to overcome his addictions – he will die an addict. I have never seen anyone so selfish. Evidentally his girlfriend doesn’t have enough sense to get out of the relationship. I wonder if they will sign him up for Season 3 – if they do I will not watch the show. I cant’ wait for the “Sober Living (House) to start in January.
The thing with Nikki is that she constantly is messing with her tongue piercing. She looks like she is grinding. It got to the point where I couldn’t watch her when she was listening…her tongue is rolling around in her mouth like she is high. I do wish all of them the very best. The previews for Sober House show that almost all fall off their treament path.
Please don’t let Jeff Conaway into Celeb Rehab 3 (if there is one). Sick of watching him and his rages & rantings.
Dr Drew, I can’t imagine the amount of entitlement issues you encounter with your clients. I am an addictions professional working for a non-for profit residential facility under a grant from the department of corrections. It’s crazy for me to think that any of these celebrities will truly succeed after only 28 days of treatment, considering the recidivism rate I see after our six-month program. I hope they can each become the change they wish to see, but like you, my expectations for many of them are low.
Unlike many of the people below, I hope that both Jeff & his girlfriend do come back to treatment, they so desperately need help with their enmeshed relationship and their chemical dependency. Life is full of those pesky “emotions” and they cannot always be numbed by drugs or literally fought out with punches.
I was very surprised and disgusted at the condition of the sober house. You need a team of maids to clean that place. It also looked like it needed a makeover. No wonder you don’t have more wanting to go to that house. It was a depressing place, that can’t be healthy for ther sobriety. The beds,for instance, probably need to be replaced. The inside of the place was terrible.
I meant to ask why Jeff wasnt given pain management classes.
I was just wondering whether you consider the client’s motivation when you agree to take them in to rehab. It seems a lot of them want to continue on their merry way after the program ends, with the rehab experience just being a stopgap measure to slow them down. I don’t hear a lot of change talk happening from the clients (I certainly hear it from you and the staff).
I have to admit to being highly skeptical when I began watching this series, some episodes in. My wife (who used to be in the Biz years ago, before she became disabled) prodded me into watching with her.
By the end of the first episode that I watched, I was curious to see more. Already I found myself rooting for success for all of the participants.
It was an eye-opener to see, for example, Rodney King – the man is amazingly intelligent and articulate, and his daughters are incredibly supportive. We should all be so lucky.
The only person I couldn’t warm to readily was Gary, probably because he was continually trying to define himself as a counsellor rather than as a participant. I don’t think that was the result of his neurological damage – it may just be his personality.
But for the rest of the group – including Jeff, despite his violence and obvious lying when confronted about it – I felt myself wanting to reach out and give each a supportive hug and words of encouragement.
The statistics may be against them, but the nice thing about any distribution is the existence of outliers – those data points that buck the trend – and I seriously hope that everyone grabs the chance for survival that this short course offers them, and buck like there’s no tomorrow :)
This is by way of a PS, but only because I clicked Submit by mistake!
I just wanted to commend the psych techs that I saw during the show. Some were clearly suffering through their own challenges while trying to be of service to the group and that takes large quantities of what’s called “gumption” in the North of England (fortitude and determination, for those not wishing to go and look it up :)).
OK, I’m hooked (but in a good way, you understand :)). I’ll be looking for the Sober Living series in January and maybe even a Rehab III in due course?
And of course VH1 simply *have* to put everything out on DVD with extras, commentary from everyone, outtakes, etc.
Good job, everyone.
i’ve been sober three years now. i watched the show today of all days, i wanted to get wasted. thankyou for showing the reality of this disease and that recovery is possible. famous or not, this disease is horrible and thank the counselors that i deal with for putting up with my &+_$&*&_~@!~(*& hang in there folks.
so there’s no reunion show, b/c Sober House is essentially the (ongoing) reunion? Is that how it’s working?
I would like to encourage all on the show and everyone in the treatment profession from east to west. For the staff it can be such a challenge, seek the Lord’s words and he will listen. You are choosen, refined over time and gifted.
I would like to encourage the participants and the recovering. Habits and reactions to emotions or situations are a challenge to alter. The are embedded with repetition. Just like the way I drive home every day. Aftercare is critical and developing a support network. Awesome decision for those who made the commitment to the rest of their life! Don’t be discouraged!! Fall get back on the horse. The goal is perfection or mastery via abstinence. Prior to being taught how to read, who picked up a book and spoke? Your time in class will not be wasted you can live an abstinent life.
During the challenging times in life I have learned that if I’m able to alter my thought process about something the emotional impact changes, thus giving me more time and peace. The only problem was that as long as I was the one in charge of my thoughts at those times I usually ended up with the same results. However, since I have been turning to the Bible in those times and allowing the Lord to direct my meditative thought process on the situations amazing things have occured. Relationships have smoothed out, anxiety has decreased, guilt is non existent. Life can be navigated get the map and the right Captain!
Bless you ALL!!
Once again this was amazing to see the progress of so many in the group. I hope they start to get how one day at a time seriously means something, and it is all they have right now. I’m very concerned about Jeff in particular because his disease keeps betraying him and misleading him to think he doesn’t have to give up the drugs. He’s a tough case, but he can do it, if he would give up some control, and start trusting others, in particular Dr. Drew and the therapists at the center, they really know more than Jeff does.
Dr. Drew, VH1
What I meant to add, Dr. Drew, VH1, and the treatment center are doing a world of good exposing what treatment looks like. Maybe this will draw in more celebrities, and the people who care about them, to see there is help available, and this is serious, and addiction is a life and death situation.
Keep up the good work, from someone with 21 years of recovery and who went to treatment.
I think your show does an excellent job helping us understand about the disease of addiction. Between what I have learned watching your show and “Intervention”, I only wish I had been more proactive with my son’s addiction. I saw his life slowly spiral out of control and sadly, he died of a massive stroke at the age of 33. I often wonder if had I helped him get into a rehab program would that have helped him and he would still been alive today.
Keep up your wonderful work. It is terribly important.
The last show… Well i’m not sure I felt to inspired I know there are a few that will try. I guess I felt a little saddened when Jeff just belittled everything Dr Drew had tried to do for him. I’m sure that they have a relationship that we can’t understand just by watching the television , but I don’t get it. His spoiled rotten all for me attitude quickly overshadowed the kinder softer side.Maybe Dr. Drew feels that as long as he is alive we have a chance. When can you say you’ve had enough.OMG If it weren’t for this show most of the rehabers would be dead.Maybe that is all part of the addiction what works for some won’t for others. I just want to say God speed to Dr Drew&his staff for being so courageous. The show has people TALKING & dialouge is always a good thing. THANK YOU!!!
I would love for Dr. Drew to go more into detail of how he gets people off the drugs, what exactly does he give them for medication? If any at all, do the withdrawal symtpoms really only last 4-5 days? More info on the detox would be helpful. Please consider this in future episodes. God Bless Dr Drew, he really seems to have a calling in helping people want to suceed in recovery.
I LOVE THIS PROGRAM!!!! It has been very helpful for me with my own addictions (not drugs) and my families as well. These people are awesome. Airing their dirty laundry, which by the way could have an adverse effect on their careers, yet they keep pluggin along. Dr. Drew is awesome too the only problem I see is the withdraws….. it makes me shiver. Can’t they help them with meds? I say yes. I have been in nursing for better than 17 years and we have meds that can help. Besides that can you imagine how vulnerable these celebs are and how they must feel? Sheesh, it took alot for them to come and do this. KUDOS to them all, including Gary, LOL Bless his heart too! Steven is one that got my heart. I just know he can do it as with the rest. Jeff… well can you say “Lost Cause” he is WAY to injured to stop and that is very sad. Hopefully he and Viki can heal and live a long and healthy life. I look forward to next season. Keep up the good work guys, patients and staff!!
I love Dr. Drew and everything he does..I love this show, I watch it and watch it!..I wish them all bluer skies..
Dr. Drew,
The is a singer in Nashville TN. that is in real trouble. Her name is Mindy
McCready and she really needs help. She would be great for your show, but seems to need help now.
Dr. Drew, I have watched celebrity rehab, and though it might seem petty, can you do anything about the way your patients dress? Some of the clothes that Sean, Steven, Seth, and Rodney wore seemed to be from gang culture and Gary and Jeff dressed like they just got out of bed and if my father saw the girls he would tell them to “put some clothes on”. I think if they dressed a little better it might help in the recovery processs. When they go out to get jobs they are not going to be successful if they look like gang members. They can still be casual, with jeans (no holes), shirts, but don’t look like a user. I also have a problem with all the tattooes that the younger guys have, again, doesn’t that remind them of drug culture? Cover them up and you might have a better chance of recovery. Also, for season 3, can you try to do something about the heavy smoking? It has now been shown that recovery can be enhanced if patients can kick the smoking too.
Though I have NO doubt of Jeff’s addictions and physical problems, I think that FAR too much focus this season has been on him. Frankly, I believe he is greatly manipulative and does many things for camera time. I almost feel like this season should have been called “Celebrity Rehab featuring Jeff Conaway.” I DO wish him well. But, as a viewer, I feel like I am being mind-f***** by his drama. And I really don’t know if Vicki is any better. I am in recovery. I have 18 years. I know all addicts are manipulative and dishonest at times. In recovery groups there is oftentimes that one person who demands attention far more than the others and acts as if the world revolves around him. Hopefully staff will keep that individual from sucking all the positive group energy totally dry. I know I only see what the show airs and most of the season is not shown. But after 2 seasons, though I truly wish Jeff recovery and a better life, I have ingested enough of his BS and manipulations. So many other addicts would be thrilled to have the opportunities he has had.
Well I do enjoy the program I have a real problem with the way the “rehab” model is being shown. What an incredible forum for the world to see. Addiction is a THINKING disease , I am disheartened that 30 days initial treatment is a very unhealthy model. The reality is the longer the program 60-90 days then a min.of 6 months in clean & sober living yields a higher success rate than the “model” that is being displayed here. Dr. Drew I feel you have the opportunity to evoke some real change in how we view the addictive mindset as a society and I hope you will build upon the initial success of this program and give Celebrity Rehab 3 into a min of 60 days inpatient treatment, PLEASE. then move these people in clean and sober living. LET”S really get real. Thanks !
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