The second season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew is over, but the Rehabbers’ lives are just beginning. VH1 will document their continued effort to stay sober in a new spin-off, Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House, premiering Thursday, Jan. 15 at 10/9c. Full press release below:
At the end of the first season of VH1’s Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew, each cast member was given the opportunity to spend three months living in a sober house as they transitioned from a rehab facility to the real world and many of them quietly took advantage of the opportunity. The cast from season two are also being given that same opportunity…and this time it will be filmed.
Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House is an eight-episode, one hour series that is set to premiere on Thursday, January 15 at 10pm. Moving into the Sober House will be Rodney King, Nikki McKibbin, Steven Adler and Amber Smith from Season 2 of Celebrity Rehab, Seth “Shifty” Binzer and Mary Carey from Season 1 and comedian Andy Dick who will join the show a few episodes in.
Returning from Celebrity Rehab to help Dr. Drew in the Sober House is counselor Bob Forrest and program assistant, William Smith. Joining them will be resident “house mother,” Jennifer Gimenez who has battled her own drug and alcohol demons. Jennifer, an actress in her own right who has starred in such films as Blow and Vanilla Sky, will live at Sober House to keep everyone on the clean and sober path to a healthy and successful life.
For two seasons, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew chronicled celebrity patients as they underwent an intensive 21-day detoxification and rehab program through group and one-on-one therapies as well as non-traditional therapies like art and music.
Dr. Drew is a board certified addictionologist, the Service Director of the Chemical Dependency Program/Residential Treatment Center at Las Encinas Hospital, a staff member at Huntington Memorial Hospital, continues to run a private practice and is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine. He once again gives viewers an unflinching look at exactly how the rehab process works and what it feels like for participants. Dr. Drew hopes to use his celebrity patients to humanize the process and show viewers that treatment is a viable way to break the cycle of addiction.
Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House will chronicle the dramatic, unscripted experiences of a group of celebrity addicts as they make the transition back into the real world full of the people and things that once led them into a life of addiction. The sober living house is an interim step on the path to sobriety where addicts can live in a supervised sober environment with structure and rules, i.e. mandatory curfews, chores and meetings. It’s a place where addicts, most of which have spent the better part of their life in the throes of an addiction will learn how to essentially start their lives over from the ground up. In some cases, the addicts change everything from their jobs to their friends and for some they make the very difficult decision to eliminate the people they love who are toxic to their sobriety.
Throughout the course of their stay, the Sober House cast members will have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Drew in both one on one and group sessions in an effort to understand and advance their experience to its fullest potential. Although not living at the house, Dr. Drew and his staff will keep a watchful eye over all that goes on.
In the end viewers will witness the struggles of these celebrity patients as they experience the pressures of daily life with their sobriety hanging by a thread, forcing many of them to act out in various ways as they strive to find recovery and the road to a much happier fulfilling life.
Featured throughout the series will be several songs from the group, The Script, (Epic/Phonogenic) who are currently the biggest breaking new band of 2008 in both the UK and their native Ireland. Songs featured, will be off of their self titled U.S. debut album which is currently available digitally and will be released in stores on March 17. Viewers first heard their music when their song, “Before The Worst” was featured in the super trailer for Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House during the season finale of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.
Additionally, VH1.com will launch a sneak peek of the first episode on Friday, January 9 before the on-air premiere. Subsequent episodes will be available on VH1.com following their on-air premiere. For more information on “Sober House,” please log onto http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/sober_house/series.jhtml.
During our finale interview with Dr. Drew, we took the opportunity to ask him what to expect from Sober House. His answers are below:
What can we expect from Sober House?
Now the group is leaving a medically managed environment and going to live on their own. They have to find jobs, they have to make an after-care plan, they have to figure out where their lives are going, they have to establish a program of recovering, they have to navigate through Hollywood, which is a treacherous environment. In the meantime, Bob and I keep seeing them in treatment as outpatients. We see them everyday or two. You’ll meet the house manager, Jennifer Gimenez, who’s a sober person herself. She has a big job on her hands. The experience is very evocative for her.
Out of all the cast, you haven’t treated Andy Dick before.
He comes in midway. He has a crisis and he wants me to treat him. I tell him, “I’m filming a TV show, I can’t,” and he says, “Well, I’ll come there, then.” He came in and that was that. He did a great job. He was great.
Mary Carey’s back on VH1. That’s a good thing.
Her thing is struggling with the complete and tremendous changes she has to make in her life. My relationship with her is marked by vivid moments, and we had one in treatment during this show. She leaned forward and said, “Drew, you want me to change everything.” I said, “Yeah, I don’t see you staying sober if you don’t change your life.” And she said, “Oh, I don’t know if I can do that.” I get it, all right. We’ll work on it.
What about the rest of the cast?
Steven Adler and Seth have major problems. Some stuff happens. Some really intense stuff. Rodney is great, as always. Amber has her moments of struggling. Nikki does great, she gets with the program on this one. This show is really different from Rehab. It’s a whole new journey. It’s a lower level of care. More independence means more opportunity for antics.
Remember, Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House, premieres Thursday, Jan. 15 at 10/9c.
192 responses to to Sober House: Coming Soon to VH1
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Oh my, Steven you have got to watch yourself on heroin. It is so pathetic so inhuman, you are so far detached from life and reality, it was just amazing to see. You have the nerve to walk in sober house and jeopardize all of your castmates, I find that so self-centered and unkind of you. Yeah you may be a “nice guy”, but you really have no idea. Addiction or no addiction. Yes, they are responsible for their own actions as well, but you brought it to the house and had no conscious about it. You knew when you walked through the door with heroin that you were going to use there. You have no repect for yourself or anyone else.
Steven,
I am a middle aged woman livin in the south, never having had an addiction, I have people close to me with addictions. I really hope that you can find a thread to hang onto. Please know that there are all types of people on your side, wishing a permanent sobriety for your future. What I see in you is a sweet, caring 11 year old boy in an adult body that doesn’t feel as if it fits you. An 11 year old doesn’t have impulse control or problem solving and decision making abilities. They do what feels good at the time. Your best bet would be to demand intensive psychotherapy as an in-patient. Yes, the addiction has it’s grip on you, but your emotions clearly drive your addiction. You should try to focus on those, though I know you don’t “want” to. This is the only way to let that 11 year old boy grow up in you. If you concentrate on that, the wonderful man you can become will be strong enough to fight the demons.
Thanks for reading this and know I am routing for you and think of you daily, hoping all will be well for you.
Much Love and Support,
Margie
The staff I have to give huge kudos to on this one! Steven Adler, PLEASE straighten up! Rodney and Amber, Bravo to you two, keep up the good work please! Just please all of you keep up the good work. and Nikki, You can do this. Let it go. Your mother would want you to do better than she did! Please just let it go. You did not cause her death, SHE did!
Sincerely,
Melinda Gentry
Dr. Drew I think that you are a wonderful person for doing what you do for all these people. Kudos to you and all your staff, including the entire crew that made this show possible.
I do think a non-addict professional person can be of help to recovering addicts. Dr. Drew is certainly a compassionate caretaker who knows about addiction. There are plenty of recovering nutbags “helping” other addicts all over this country. And the three strikes rule may seem extremely lenient but we finally have to make the decision for ourselves that we don’t want to die or live in hell.
After the show was over, I was mostly concerned for the other recovering folks, especially Jen, the housemom, and Rob, the tech, and the other celebrities who seem to want to try to live sober: Rodney, Amber, Nikki. Someone tell Nikki to stop playing with her tongue piercing although it is heart-breaking to see her grieving her mom. I think her mom is very proud of her as are her kids.
peace and blessings to all.
I think Dr. Drew is an idiot. I used to think his heart was in the right place, but after watching the premier of Sober House I am convinced his only goal is to be a celebrity himself. The fact that he believed Steven and and wanted him to stay at the Sober House is appalling. These people should be in intense rehab for a minimum of three months and probably more. These addicts are like all addicts and three weeks of treatment is a joke. His only concern is a hit a TV Show. None of these people will be better off because of him.
Get rid of that chic in rehab house she can not handle anything. having steve in there was totally stupid and pinsky should have known he was not ready. i guess ratings rule all even the harm of people.
She just said I do not know why I am crying he is not part of my family. really she is not equiped and needs to go.
I have been sober and clean by the grace of god since jan 11 2004… I have been in the 12 step fellowship since sept 2001.. I strongly feel that if you want sober living house to be successful, the house person should have a more conciderable amount of clean and sober time.. and also a working knowledge of the 12 step program’s and their application. I am not trying to be critical just making an observation based on what i saw on the last show. I am having trouble regisering with the community it insists that my zip code is incorrect.. if you could e mail me into the community i would appriciate it greatly . thank you recovery rocks i hope everyone keeps comin back!!! bambi
hey i just watched one of the guys from gn&r freak out. pleaseb do not give up on him. he is sweet and i know you are putting up with a lot of buisness.it sucks but mr. steve has been through a lot of +~%^__~&+*~_(*** you can tell
Okay all you guys and girls that are sober and written into the blog about this series. To start off with this is ” NOT ” about staying ‘ SOBER ” really, at the level of press, radio, and film for those who know what I mean. This is about ratings okay. I too am sober and have been that way since June 6,1993 and my journey of soberity was never that decent. You have to remember it is about Celeberity Status! My hat goes off to celeberites like Robert Downey Jr. rather than this group. This series is about Rating’s. I actually enjoy the series. Also remember that in reality if any of you have went through the different Rehab’s, the speech given to us when we first got there by the person in charge, that ” only one out of 37 will probably stay sober out of all of you “. I knew beyond a shadow of any doubt I was not going to be the one. But in our literature it states we have a 50% recovery rate out of those who really tried, and 25% sobered up after some relapses, and out of the rest of them they got better with time. So I thought after reading these rate’s I might stay sober. So those who really want to get sober they abide by the rules (and yes they are rules)and the recovery rate is still this high. They have sponsor’s, get involved in a home group, and more importantly work intensively with others. They do not go on TV to have others watch their road to recovery. I am sure compensation is given for their participation. My compensation I get is MY SOBERITY and that is enough. Life is not fair and recovery is not easy. But it does get better with time. So all of you writing in understand one thing, this is not a pattern for recovery from the Doctor’s down to the House Supervisor to the people acting as Role Models(aka Sponsors). This is TV, this is about money pure and simple. This is the complete oppossite of us, lest property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose so you can see why and how we work.
So in summing this up, watch and enjoy the show but do not use it as a roadmap to soberity.
One thing of a technical point really annoys the hell out of me about this show. They need to tone the music down when it overlaps dialog. They too often play the music so loud you have to turn on closed captioning in order to know what’s being said.
Rodney King . . . you may not be serving up a lot of drama on this show, but it is a testimony to your commitment to get sober. KEEP UP THE HARD WORK! YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY!
I am no expert, but is Jennifer Gimenez really qualified for this job?! I find her very irritating!
Having run a Sober Living House for over a year I am saddened that you have chosen not to allow these people to face the consequences of their addictions, and have not chosen to show those consequences. Instead you have shown on this show how to avoid the consequences by giving these sick and struggling people 3 chances (?) to relapse, and for aiming your cameras at the fantasy of Hollywood and Fame, instead of the reality of these peoples broken lives, family and friends, and allowing them to live in a fantasy. How unfortunate that you seemed to not be willing to be more courageous with this show by exposing these people and their addictions to the harsh light of reality. Alcoholism and Drug Addiction exist within a matrix of people that enable and allow their behavior and continuation, and I fear that you have chosen to participate and not prevent in these people addictions. I got sober at the same time Shifty and Mary Carey did the first time, and have seen them in and out of the rooms of the program here in LA for the last year, from the Key Club to Rodeo. What a shame that the glare of the camera seems to have doomed them to a life of addiction, while I just took a 1 year cake on December 12th. Best wishes though, I think you are trying to do some good and will help some people. I hope you dont damage or sacrifice a few for the good of the many who suffer from drug addiction and alcoholism. Be Well.
as someone who knows, dr. drew has no concept of what the nature of the disease is really about.while i realise that this is t.v. and therefore has ABSOLUTELY no basis in reality,i think that all of these people are being done a huge disservice. who the hell in their right mind lets a bunch of clueless newcomers go to a nightclub or have a couple of drinks???? not one of these people except maybe rodney will be clean in a years time.
this show is so damn stupid. you pick the same old losers. and your missing the fact that there thousands of other people needing help. its like watching sweet 16…drama and more drama. give these people one shot and if they cant do it the first time drop them. and start your new show funeral house…now thats a show to watch. these outa work losers dont need all this tv time they had thair chance and blew it…..up their noses. so for me the best thing to do is get the cast high and a loaded gun and let the show finish itself.
Do they really believe that Steven Adler, or any of these people, was ready for a sober house with only 21 days of inpatient care? Get real. Drugs and alcohol are so ingrained in their lives that maybe a multi-year inpatient program of some kind is the only thing to save their lives. I was married to an alcoholic for years and saw him go through multiple 21-day programs, failing each time. In order to get an attitude and life-style adjustment, you need more than 21 days. 21 days is like a vacation, when it’s over, you go back to your old way of life.
I have always respected Dr. Drew immensely however his coddling of Steven Adler is disgusting. To put him in a house with people who are trying to stay sober changes this from something I thought was a help to just TV ratings.. Steven needs help but not in a sober living house…he is hurting the other people and needs to go somewhere else.
You can’t help someone who doesn’t want it and obviously Steven through his strokes and overdoses does not accept help or want it at this time…he needs intensive in patient treatment for longer than three weeks…… and I am teetering on feeling this way about Shifty…….Rodney King is the success here…..so far……
Rodney King has impressed me with his sincerity in remaining sober. This world has dealt him some rotten blows and we see him rise above and go forward….STAY STRONG, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE PULLING FOR YOU!
Jennifer did exactly what needed to be done with the Steven Adler situation. I saw the pain in her face in making the decision to have to call the police…..I also saw the horrible bruises that she indicated as happening during the confrontation with Steven, NO HITTING, EVER! Seeing those bruises made me very angry at Steven, he is not accepting responsibility for his actions or behavior. Kick him in to shape Doctor Drew. Steven…..you cannot be a drummer in a rock band any more because of your drug usage, find a new way to achieve joy (NOT DRUGS), and go after it.
Seth….you touch my heart every week. Whenever a group member needs an _^(@&~**`@+$~)* uring touch or glance you are the first person to offer yourself. The temptations are overwhelming for you and sincerely, I hope for you to be the winner in your battle. Move away from California, it works for other major people in the music business….you are in the toxic wasteland and deserve to live a happy and healthy life.
Amber…..stay away from the edge, it is a hard fall if you choose to drop over. Your inner beauty shines and your honesty regarding your drug usage was very brave of you. Our mothers are similar, that issue I deeply understand but again, you have been making better choices for your sobriety…..STAY STRONG, PILLS ONLY NUMB AND WHEN THE PAIN FINALLY DOES IMPACT YOU IT CAN COMPLETELY CONSUME YOU…..I pray that you will be safe and strong.
Nikki…..You remind me of my little sister and I believe that you are in line for being completely drug and alcohol free in your life. You have the look of a winner and I pray that this happens.
Mary…..You have a sweet heart but people have been using your sweetness against you. Remind yourself that you are going to be able to find a career away from the Porn Industry, strive for that as it is not a safe environment for you. Being a former party girl I undersdtand the fun of living in the moment but you won’t live nearly as long and will look 60 when you hit 40 if you keep drinking and using.
As a psychologist, I am very diappointed. I am extremely disappointed in your non-reinforcement/back-up of the house manager, Jen? (GEN) – you let her take the fall for something that you — DR. DREW BIG NAME CELEB SHOULD AND COULD HAVE CONTROLLED (BUT FOR YOUR PANDERING TO THESE CELEBS.
In addition, you have manged to stretch 10 -15 minutes of filming to 60 to 120 minutes! Congratulations Houdini AND you have failed your clinical staff as well as your clinical responibilities! Are you proud/confident of what you have done here?
I just want to say KUDOS to Dr. Drew for the work he does. When I first heard about the series, I thought “great, another reality show that will exploit people who for whatever reason don’t have sense enough to know that they’re just dollar signs for another network”; but in my curiousity got the better of me and of course I watched…and have been watching. From what I see, Dr. Drew, regarding of anyone else’s intentions seems to truly care about these people and their well being. I pray God blesses him for his caring heart. Nice going Dr. Drew
My only son died of a drug overdose on 3/26/08. He was 23 years old. I hope you all make it. I see how hard you are all working to get well. Jenn, you are amazing. Keep up the good work. I guess, I want to say that it’s hard living with an addict, but it’s really )$#!#+$+__!&&@#( ing painful living without them. I miss my boy. Thanks for listening.
well all i have to say is, Amber Smith is what every woman should look like, id be soo happy! :) shes beautiful on her worst days, and gorgeous everyday!! drugs are too dirty to even be in her presence! if its love you need, baby i have plenty! i can be your crutch, you can be my star! please tell Amber to stay strong! i pray for her and every person in rehab. tho, i cant say im a saint… alcohol and marijuana have played a part in my life, and its very hard to leave something that makes pain, and the thoughts of our mistakes, temporarily disappear. but we all make mistakes, life is a mistake waiting to happen, then we learn from our mistakes, and how best not to repeat them.
I wish , and hope everyone is doing great,I am hooked on the show.I also am fighting my own demons so I can relate to alot of the show.wish I had the resources all of these people have to get to go to such a great place for support in getting well.
I have watched the show a few times. I have to say that – and I’m trying to make this sound right – I am very impressed with who Rodney is. He seems to be genuinely eager to be clean. While most of the house is full of people who have chosen their celebrity, Rodney had been thrust into a world he didn’t ask for and, I have to say, given what he has gone through in the punblic eye, he seems to be on track to be clean and sober. Good for you, Rodney!!
just watched 2/5/09 view for the 2nd time and wanted to wish all you the best of luck and to let you know i am not an addict my hear is there for all of you and remember that person that you went thru detox is worth staying clean for
Will Sober House be shown in the UK?
Im alittle shocked that you don’t see any of them going to 12 step meeting or talking about real recovery. I have 4 years clean and have never been a club or bar in the past four years. Because you just don’t do that if you really want to stay clean. Do they even have sponsors or work steps? The only one that I see even wants recovery is Rodney. I do wish them all the best. Juanita
I’ve recently started watching your show. As a recovering addict sober now more than 6 years, I know how hard it is to live in and with yourself and your past actions without numbing out. I’m so proud of all of you for working to get your life on track. It is so worth it. It’s hard, it’s gonna be the hardest thing you’ve ever done at least it was for me, but when your head finally gets clear, and dont for a second believe that that happens right away just because your not currently using. It took about 2 years for me to defog and stop thinking and reacting to everything with addict behavior. I learned you don’t have to be actively using to still be drowning in your addiction. I don’t say this to discourage anyone I say it because it was my reality. We’re so used to addict behavior (i.e. selfishness, reacting with anger, blame, judgement and most especially avoidance) that even when we stop using we continue those behaviors. At least I did. To forgive myself and map out a future filled with the qualities in my life that I wanted to have. I watch you all in your struggles and see so much of myself, sometimes i find myself talking to the tv, crying for you all, praying for you all, and loving you all and your honesty and efforts.
I’m still left with some heineous repercutions of my addiction, I have two beautiful grown children 27 & 25 who want and don’t have anything to do with me and may never forgive me. This is my greatest hurtle. I don’t know how I can live without my kids. So see, come so far, but reality is always a &_$%)(+^(%#$@!__# at times. Know you can make it, white knuckle it when you have to. You inspire me, especially you Rodney, you are an amazing gentle man and my heart and hopes are so with you. As they are for all of you. Steven, your life, you are worth the joys that will come in sobriety. I wish I could say something uplifting and encourageing to each of you individually, but I fear this will become a book. Just know you all are worth and desirve a life clean and sober. You can face your deamons, especially with the help and support you have. For what ever its worth you have one more person out here who is rooting for all of you. Believe you can do it, stick to your committment to yourself and take one day at a time. When it gets tough as it will, seek out your support, I dont’t know if you can communicate back with me, but I’m here, I’m a fan and wish all of you life, love and sobriety. Love, Mira in Phoenix
I am a registered nurse working on a detox unit. I have been in the drug and alcohol field for 12 years. I love both Celebrity Rehab and Sober House. From my experience these shows are the real deal. There may be a bit more drama from the celebrities, but there is plenty of drama and a sense of entitlement from the clients I care for as well. If you are ever looking for a nurse, send me an e-mail!!
it amazing that here is a show about people struggling with their drug and drinking and then you have 4-6 relatity shows with especially alcohol overflowing!!! with people who can not control their drinking with very little conaquence to their actions. i know no one wants to preach but if and when the celebrities make it it would be nice for them to step forward and stand up against drugs and alchol abuse. it could be another relality show better than the ones with brett and the others and what they are showing.
I just wanted to comment from someone who has never had an addiction. I am so totally impressed with all these people and what they are going through. I have lived a very good middle class life – I had very hard working parents who raised 5 kids through the 60′s and 70′s – they always treated us with respect and dignity (so so important) – all five of us are the best of freinds – I know what hurt feels like – my husband of 25 years decided to leave for another woman and my heart was broken and I hurt for along time – I see all of the struggles you all have been through and the terrible things you have seen and the demons you struggle with every day truly amaze me – I watch this show every week and want to hug you all and tell you how unfair it is that you could not have been given the life every child deserves – to be loved and treated with respect and to be given the roots that we all need to survive in this world. You are all so unbelieveably strong and I know what I went through made me stronger and with out my family it would have been so much harder – but because I have such wonderful parents who gave me the tools to survive I will be fine. I wish I could have shared them with you – I was so angry at Steven’s mother it made me crazy I wanted to ask her why on earth did you have children – why would you ever expect your children to take care of you!! I have one child and I would give my life for him – a mother of all people to take from a child. She should be ashamed and embarrassed. I just think so much of all of you and wish you only the best in everything you do. I think it is great that you all have Dr. Drew in your life – what a great guy and you can just tell how much he wants to see you succeed!! Kinda like a proud father! A parent should only want the best for their child and nothing in return!
I have suffered with members in my immediate family with addition problems – it is so hard breaking to experince. I can only hope my family will come out the other end of this ride all the better. ~ Can anyone tell me why Nikki is always moving her jaw around ?
I have to say I know what it is like when a person has an addiction. Not me but someone I am very close too. He is clean and sober now for 12 years. Addiction is not a easy thing to get over. For some reason some peoples bottom is harder then others. My belief is that the people with addiction really hate themselves.
Don’t kid yourselves if you all were anyone else you wouldn’t be in such a nice sober house.
Mary needs to kick her boyfriend to the curb. He is not doing her any favors. If anything he is bringing her down. He has problems too. Like insecurities in himself.
He enjoys putting everyone else down to make himself seem better then them.
Seth and Steven Adler really have problems. Seth is really a tough one to figure out. He seems to really hate himself. Steven too. What a shame. But again I have to say if they had to recover in the real world the sober house would not be what they have there. They need some gratitude towards the people that are helping them. I think they might have a little to much self pity too. You have to really want to recover.
Then there is Amber. She does not have a clue about how beautiful she is. She has so much going for her and yet she hates herself. I why she can’t see how pretty she is. And she has a brain along with a heart.
If this show is real it is going to take a while for these people to get back on their feet. It can be done though I have seen it happen.
You need prayer and help from a higher power for sure.
God Bless you all. I wish you all good luck. I hope you all make through to the other side. If you have to take meds take them. That helps also.
Keep moving towards recovery even if it is a second at a time or a step at a time. You all can do it.
watching the series including sober house, is a reminder to me just how bad my addiction was and can be if i pray does happen, relapse. when i cant make it to a meeting for one reason or another, i can always tune in and watch the show. and to jennifer, the house manager of the sober house, she did the absolute rite thing by calling rhe police on steven. she possible saved his life. and i hope the other members of the house stay sober long enough to realize what a angel they have in jen.many of us living with addiction can only hope to have someone in our lives that love us enough to do what she did for steven. god bless you jennifer.i believe this is the best reaility t.v. show on today, for this might possible save some lives.thaks VH1, Dr. Drew and Jennifer.
Dear Dr. Drew and the Producers of Sober House
My name is Bob Atkins and I am a recovering addict with almost 12 years clean. I am also a certified drug and alcohol counselor and a board certified interventionist in Illinois. I thought your program Celebrity Rehab was pushing the edge, but I weighed the good against the bad and felt there was more good coming from it because at least the public would get educated about treatment and realize there is help available.
I have to admit, the program Sober House crosses all boundaries and I believe is causing you to participate in an unethical manner. I realize you are only part of the program and not the producer, but you took an oath to “Do no harm.” This program is harmful in the following manner:
1. Anyone thinking about entering a halfway house would think twice about going to such an unsafe environment.
2. You know that there is not a single halfway house in the world that would allow five or six clients right out of treatment into a house with no peers who have had several months to a year of sobriety. Your clients only have the house mother who they have an adversarial relationship with. She wants them to stay home and they go partying on the Hollywood strip. Can you look yourself in the mirror and believe that the way this house is run can be considered “Best Practices.”
3. You are doing a disservice to all the owners of halfway houses that try and make rules their clients can live by, attain the tools they will need to continue and grow in recovery, and possibly make a living doing that. If I were to judge halfway houses by your program, I couldn’t possibly recommend it to anyone trying to remain clean. We have enough strikes against us, even if we get clean, society still thinks we are nothing but of group of junkies. We may be clean, have jobs and families, and our families appreciate the effort we put into remaining clean, but to our families, friends, and society we will we are still junkies.
I understand how you got conned in to this program, but I believe you are in a position to do more good for the millions of suffering addicts and alcoholics. When Rush Limbaugh got caught with Oxycontin he had a platform to bring addiction out of the dark and shine a light on it so people would not be afraid to ask for help. But Rush failed miserably as an addict and a human being. As an interventionist I have seen the exact nature of this disease and how it affects thousands of families worse that the drugs and alcohol affect the addicts themselves. Please stand up for the morale principals I know you have and persuade the producers to change the format of the show. And if all the episodes have been shot, then get on CNN and other programs and tell the public this is not the way halfway houses should function.
In Illinois, they cut the substance abuse budget by $50 million dollars last June, Of course that same Governor will probably end up in prison soon, but I got laid off from my job as a drug counselor. I have been trying to raise money to open my own halfway house and treatment center, but with programs like Sober House, I may never get the money I need to help others.
Dr. Drew, I beg of you from the bottom of my heart, from the grace God gave me 12 years ago, please stop or change this show. Use your platform for good instead of misinformation.
Sincerely,
Bob Atkins
CADC, BCI-1
847-445-1138
OK, so i want to say i TRULY feel so bad for what Rodney King indured at the hands of Cali police. That said, WHAT PART OF THIS DID HE BRING UPON HIMSELF. most everyone has had basic math. If he wouldn’t have tried to OUT RUN the police, he wouldn’t have been beaten. He is a precious man, i love watching him, but does any of the fault belong to him? he truly is a sweatheart on the show – someone i would love to know, but they make this out to be about the police beating him (WRONG) but he ’caused’ this by not pulling over when being ‘flagged’ down by the cops. he wants to pray for world peace – peace would have been if he’d just pulled over. it seems like a selfish person who tries to out ride the cops.
God bless Rodney King! A true inspiration and all my hopes go with him for a happy recovery. He brought me, a recoveing crack addict who’s lost her kids and has a very vindictive ex husband but – yay!- a year, 3 months and 19 days clean, to touching tears.
Thank you for showing us some “edited” truth to addictions. Dr. Drew I trust & believe that what you want to show us is real. I hope that your point is really being driven home.
I suffer from alcoholism. No Pills. Nothing else, ever. I thank also the “guests” that are probably paid to follow their recoveries. Seth, my heart bleeds for you…
Thank you… all
-Becky (from Jersey)
I just wanted to say to all of the Rehab 2 and Sober House celebrities and anyone else who reads this, that long term sobriety is possible. My father celebrated his 30th year of sobriety in November 2008! He stopped drinking a few weeks before my 12th birthday. He still attends (and also runs) AA meetings. Alcoholism in our family goes back generations. But my father ended that. None of his 4 children suffer from alcoholism. I am so proud of my father for his strength in fighting his addiction. As they say “take it one day at a time” and believe in yourself. Michelle (from Ft. Knox, KY)
Dr. Drew and VH1 Your show is nothing like reality of what goes on in a sober living. You have broken every rule and hopefully you will get through the season without somone dying
I am currently watching the episode where everyone is trying to find Seth. I must say, I am furious! They have an opportunity of a life time and could care less. I recently lost my father due to addiction. I had to find my father dead in a pool of blood. It was the worst day of my life. I don’t think these people realize what they are doing to the people they love. I will never be the same, he changed my life forever. If I can offer any advice, think of others, you are KILLING the people that love you. I was too young to find my father dead. My dad was an amazing man and he let the liquor get ahold of him. I miss him every single day, I would do anything to get him back for one more second. I just hope that the cast realizes how lucky they are and I hope they take advantage of this wonderful opportunity that has been given to them. My dad was only an addict for three years…it can happen to anyone. Please don’t do what my father did to me, don’t leave those who love you behind.
This past episode was so wild with Seth, but it great that he is back with Dr Drew and the others. Seth needs alot of help and healing right now. Does David realize or accept ownership that he set Seth off on his last relapse? I blame David for some of Seth’s relapse, he’s a prick! And of course, Rodney rocks!
Hi Dr Drew Your a great guy but this show sober house is not to cool,Recovery is a serious thing.That guy seth is making a fool of people in recovery playing games,Making videos being high come on dr drew lets try to help people not glorify people like seth.Thank you and by the way I am in recovery 14yrs sober Kenny
Some people may veiw this program as being unreal its not addication is real.I have been in recover now for 5 years and needless to say it has not all been pretty.I have suffered many trail and tribulations to the point i was hanging by a thread in my recovery.But then i had to remember all the pain the physical,mental,emotional and most of all the spiritaual pain that almost caused my death because of my using.I watch the show and what i like about it it helps keep me grounded,i wish i could share my life story and to let the cast know that he that throughly follows the path will not fail.And in closing i would like to say sometimes quickly sometimes slowly.
I love all the people on Sober House. I feel your pain because I have been clean for 15 years. The one thing I have not heard as advice for any of you that are trying to stay sober. That you should not see have a romantic or sexual relationship for 12 months. It is not that you shouldn’t find love and happiness, but this allows you to discover yourself and become stronger for when you do have a realationship. In a year you become stronger not only psychically but emtionally. Your self esteem is so much stronger. I speak to you first Mary, if you were not in a realtionship with David and you were sober for over a year, you would have no problem telling David off and not feel such a need to drink. If Amber was not looking for a realtionship so soon she wouldn’t have relapsed. Ladies you are strong and beautiful, stick with staying sober. Rodney King, on the show you really seem to be making great strides and stick with it. Shifty, get rid of your contacts and find only friends that support you being sober. Nikki, only time will help you with your Mom, but you will get through it. Andy #%`)!@)#^`@~$^_( be yourself but you seem to be ready to really make the change. It seems as if you and Rodney are making the strides needed. Steven you can beat this addiction but you have to surrender and stop thinking you can control your addiction. Once you surrender to sobrity you should be able to make it. I know you don’t know me, but I wish you all the very best. Thank you for sharing your life with us on TV. I know it is not easy and it is easy for us to cheer you all on from our living rooms. For those of us that have been where you are, know you can live a sober life. Last, but not least Jen you are doing a great job as house manager, be proud of yourself and all that you have accomplished in your 2 years of being sober. I’m not sure if any of you will see this because I’m sure the taping of the show is over and you have moved on with your live, but again thank you for working on staying sober.
TO: Mary Cary
Please get rid of David. He is using you and your body for his own purposes to make him money. You have to know that he was on the show about whats her name and Slade. He is such a bad influence Honey please he is soooo awful, for you you deserve better. You keep saying you need to do things like Swingfest to maintain your lifestyle. You DO NOT. You need to forget that lifestyle . That is why you are where you are and David is a barracuda eating your soul. Let him Go.
I feel for these people. They have all gone through so much and many don’t have to tools to deal. I’ve never had a positive image of Andy &`)+)$&`+)*&)^)% or Mary-Cary however I’ve grown to love them like family. (I’ve actually told my husband that I’m considering leaving him for Andy &`)+)$&`+)*&)^)% LOL) I so want these people to succeed and overcome their additions. I think, in part, their addition stems fromt heir incredible compassion and insecurities…I just hate that they are sympathetic to everyone but themselves.
My love and prayers go out to all of you in the house. I wish you all success and future happiness. Rodney is such a wonderful, kind, compassionate gentleman – my whole family fell in love with him from day one! We are all wishing him the best! Mary is so pretty and sweet and sensitive – I am praying that she finds a happy, healthy lifestyle with someone who appreciates and treasures her! Mary – please know how special you are -you deserve only the best! God Bless you all.
Dr. Drew, My husband is a recovering addict/ alcoholic, I am a recovering alcoholic, addict, compulsive overeater. We watch sober house every week. As a couple in recovery living under the same roof, we feel a connection with the residents of Sober house and have a deep desire to see the succeed in their recovery, and move on with their lives. I have to tell you, coming from someone whose early recovery survive all the psycho babble of the 90′s I think you are way too soft on the addicts. God bless Jen, but with only two years under her belt, she doesn’t appear to have the experience needed to deal with cunning personalities mixed in that house. She needs more back up than just Will.Amber I really want to see you live, face your mother, Mary dump that )$^`((^`!+!$#~+ hole David before he enables you to death, Nikki you need to watch out about substituting one for another, as a compulsive overeater, I really know first hand about this. Rodney, needs to own his part in his beating, Seth needs to change his playmates, Steven… come on man you really think God let you live through all you’ve been to keep getting loaded. No gratitude! Andy you’re a sweet heart, but you need to stop feeding off the emotions of others, and just be you. I wish them all the best. God Bless everyone of you as you trudge the road of Happy Destiny, and go to meetings for God’s sake!!!!!!!!!
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