By now, Sober House viewers are well-acquainted with Jennifer Gimenez as the house mother to the six Celebrity Rehab vets populating Sober House. Just like Dr. Drew, each week Jennifer will grace this blog with her own episode-specific commentary on what went down both in front of and behind the camera. We’ll have a longer interview with Jennifer about her days in the modeling industry and her path to addiction, but for now, we wanted to present her thoughts on last night’s controversial episode. Specifically, we picked her brain about calling the police on Steven…
I don’t envy your job as the authority figure here.
What I was dealing with was not the six people individually, it’s the disease itself. It’s a powerful thing that I’m powerless over. If someone’s on drugs or alcohol, I can’t win. That’s why in the 12-step community, [when someone won't stop using] we just go, “All right, come back when you’re ready.” I’m not gonna ever fight with alcohol and drugs. We didn’t expect to find Steven Adler high on drugs from the get-go. And almost immediately, he became aggressive with me.
You refer to it as “abuse.”
The verbal abuse that I got from Steven was serious. But there was also a physical element involved that I talk about in Episode 3. I didn’t want to play victim to what was going on, and it’s not like Steven came and punched me. When it comes to the verbal stuff, you realize people are just sick, but I don’t think anyone deserves to be put in the way of physical violence.
He was really hostile.
Completely. I don’t know if I triggered something that reminded him of his mom, or what. When I met Steven, he was lovely, but it quickly became, “You fat whore, bitch, c***,” blahblahblah. I didn’t pay much mind to it, though I was like, “Did you just call me fat? You can call me a lot of things but don’t call me fat!” (Laughs)
At the party, the electricity goes out and boom, it’s almost like Steven’s free pass to use.
It was unbelievable. I’m taking care of everything else that’s going on, getting guests out of there for the sake of my safety and that of others, since that’s my job. Steven was so out of it that he was screaming that I was “eyeballing” him and I wasn’t even in the room. Bob Forrest told me to just stay away from him. He was like, “The guy’s high,” but I don’t think he ever wasn’t high that day. Steven got really aggressive with both me and the crew, but when we found the heroin, we were like, “That’s it.” Will found even more heroin, and so the idea was to call the cops to escort Steven to Las Encinas. We were scared he was going to go out in the streets and die and he could not stay in the house any longer. Enough is enough.
Despite doing what you have to, do you ever worry about being vilified, either as a character on TV or just amongst the people you’re looking after?
Petrified. It was one of my biggest concerns before starting this show. I was like, “I don’t want to be like Omarosa! I’m not a mean person!” I’m also literally not a mother, and I’m the third youngest out of the whole cast. So it was like, “How am I going to tell these people what to do? Addicts manipulate, lie, cheat and steal with the best of them.” I just knew I had to be tough. And that became immediately apparent when I was telling everyone the rules of the household as they arrived and they were attempting to push the limits. The same questions came up over and over. I just had to play funny to it at that point, because I’m literally talking to children. They say where you started drinking or abusing is where you stopped growing. So I’m talking to an 11-year-old Steven Adler. Regarding the TV-villain aspect, I did the worst thing ever: I read the message boards the day after the first episode, and they were full of: “She’s not qualified!” “Who does she think she is?” People need to realize that any decision I made about Steven in particular, I did not make on my own. I consulted with people: Dr. Drew, the producers, my sponsor, Will and my boyfriend who has a lot of sobriety time. I can’t do this alone and with their knowledge, I made my choices. Hopefully now, people see that the reason I made Steven leave was that if he stayed, the whole house would have tumbled in 24 hours. The rules would have been thrown in the trash and the whole house would have been using. Steven was abusive, he brought drugs in, he was dying and he could have killed everyone else there. That said, calling the cops was one of or the hardest decision I had to make. Looking at Steven then made me think of the number of times my mother or my little brother or any loved ones who wanted me to get help and considered calling the cops. I felt that other side. Maybe for the first time, I really understood the pain I put my family through.
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| Episode | Type | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | Full Episode | Videos: Finale Full Episode | 3/16/09 |
| 109 | Show Clips | Videos: Finale Show Clips | 3/12/09 |
| 108 | Full Episode | Videos: Full Episode 8 | 3/09/09 |
| 108 | Show Clips | Videos: Episode 8 Show Clips | 3/05/09 |
| 107 | Full Episode | Videos: Full Episode 7 | 3/02/09 |
| 107 | Show Clips | Videos: Episode 7 Show Clips | 2/26/09 |
| 106 | Full Episode | Videos: Full Episode 6 | 2/23/09 |
| 106 | Show Clips | Videos: Episode 6 Show Clips | 2/19/09 |
| 105 | Full Episode | Videos: Full Episode 5 | 2/16/09 |
| 105 | Show Clips | Videos: Episode 5 Show Clips | 2/12/09 |
| 105 | Bonus Clips | Videos: Episode 5 Bonus Clips | 2/12/09 |
| 104 | Full Episode | Videos: Sober House: Full Episode 4 | 2/09/09 |
| 103 | Full Episode | Videos: Sober House: Full Episode 3 | 2/02/09 |
| 102 | Full Episode | Videos: Sober House: Full Episode 2 | 1/26/09 |
| 101 | Full Episode | Videos: Sober House: Series Premiere Full Episode | 1/13/09 |
| More Sober House Episodes | |||
114 responses to to Jennifer’s Side Of Sober House – Episode 2
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Honestly, I don’t see how Jennifer can be vilified. She did the right thing from the get-go, and in fact, was correct in her FIRST inclination to let Steven go on violation #1. I don’t know what Dr. Drew was thinking when he ignored her suggestion as Steven was clearly not ready or willing. Steven is in fact, a danger to those who are more sincere and accountable in their quest to be sober. Shifty, at least, is more self aware than Steven, but is also not willing or ready.
Steven is a big baby, frankly. We all have sh*t to deal with and at some point, you have to reconcile your past and accept responsibility for the here and now. I don’t want to hear his whiny ^)&$&_@_&~%++@* about his mommy when he is so abusive to women, such as Shelly and Jennifer. Man up.
I also can’t understand why people, including Dr. Drew, enable his brattiness and abusiveness.
I really see Dr. Drew as an enabler.
I have been battling an opioid addiction for the past four years and am currently in treatment. I truly enjoy watching both “Celebrity Rehab” and now, “Sober House.”
There’s no doubt that Jennifer made the right decision with Steven Adler, but I was really disappointed in both Amber Smith and Nicky’s comments. First of all, Steven was more out of control than any addict I have ever seen (and I’ve seen, and been out of control).
It illustrated to me that these two are still behind when it comes to addiction and accountability. Steven was given several chances to stay in the house, which he abused. Then, he was offered a choice between Los Colinas and being arrested, and he chose the latter.
The point these former celebrities are missing (not Rodney) is that they are breaking the law and a “Sober House” can only be safe when it is devoid of drugs. Steven showed up with heroin, continued to take heroin, and was a danger to himself and everyone else in the house. I truly hope that Amber and Nicki have learned enough to realize that they are not victims, and until we all say to ourselves, “I have a problem, and it’s nobody’s fault but mine”, we will continue to justify our addiction.
The behavior I exhibited, as a vicodin addict, was wrong, and I am finally starting to realize the only way to sobriety is determination and 100% accountability.
Jen, You did great. You did the right thing for all parties concerned. I am worried about you because you are young in sobriety. I am a recovering alcoholic and pill addict. I can relate to everything that is happening. I will celebrate my first sober bday in about a week.
I believe I have a CD of your friend Teresa and I LOVE HER. It was the way she said “let’s try and get through this with some grace and integrity”. Her story is such an inspiration and has made such an inpact on me as well as my 17 year old son. It’s my hope to meet her. I would love to hear her story in person.
Keep up the GREAT work. One day at a time. Love ya.
Anyone who wears balloon pants should be arrested…you go girl.
I really want to say the show is a great outlet for an alanon alum. There are times when I really want to yell at you all to throw out program. I love in this episode that you read some good book stuff.
I have been as Drew says one of the inappropriate people that addicts attract to. I am on the other side of the disease in that the old boyfriend was watched and monitored by me … no wonder he drank! There was always that horrible fear of “the worst”. Nobody really knows what the worst is. Steven going to jail is NOT the worst! Steven destroying his life and those that love him is not the worst. The day after the WORST is not even the worst. It is an addict thing – on both sides – you just keep waiting and fearing it!
Some of the stuff that helped me grow saner is that rules make life soooooo much easier! You don’t have to keep inventing the wheel.
Watching this show is so full of flashbacks and in an odd way, insights into my life then and now. I still deal with people that I love that have addictive personalities, may not be active addicts but still have that brain. Watching Steven turn into the blamer, paranoid, acting out side of the addiction (frankly that FIRST shot in the car in episode one… we all knew he was using…..) it was like predictable. Like, there is no plot. I could almost write it.
But the good news it that each of the participants is a great person. That one by one they hopefully can see that what they did got them where they are. It is when they can actually see where they are, the can see where they have really been, and what the real hope is.
Last. Rodney. I am so in love with that man’s spirit. There is something that most lovers of addicts will tell you. There is something amazing about addicts. I heard a speaker say there was a god shaped hole that you try to fill with everything but god. There is a glow in Rodney that I see as a gentle place with a giant apartment ready for him! I mean there is something that just has me praying for him. He makes my soul feel good in every episode. His gentle presence, his understanding of the demons and the committment.
Like I said, the show is good therapy for me. It keeps me from going out and trying to fix everyone else!!
GOOD LUCK ALL!
I really enjoy watching the show and can relate to all episodes. I’ve been in program years, relapsed awhile ago finally have fews years sober, stable and working my program. I watch to listen to Dr. Drews feedback. For the first time I disagree with Jennifer calling the police on Steve. Prehaps a family member or friend would have been a better route. I Also believe that someone more appriate show be running the house, first thing Jennifer said on the phone to the police, Steve has heroin on him, come get him out of house vs. need to escort someone into hospital. Show sends a poor message on seaking help, or trust in getting help. In my early 20′s I entered many rehabs. I am educated and extremely athletic. I am grateful that rehab, thearpy, AA meetings have all helped me today aquire peace of mind and happiness. Please think about a backup plan when this happends again. Also, discuss with clients when they enter program so they understand options. Jennifer did infact give Steve options when he was high, decision making is poor at this time.
Thank you,
Julie
STEVEN ADLER IS THE POSTER CHILD FOR THE ANTI DRUG CAMPAIGN. I WAS SO HORRIFIED, WATCHING YOU GO THROUGH THAT JENNIFER. HE IS NOT READY FOR A SOBER LIVING HOUSE. HOW INVOLVED ARE HIS FAMILY MEMBERS? I BACK YOU 110% ON CALLING THE COPS ON HIM HE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE GROUP DESERVES A POSITIVE ENVIORNMENT, AND AFTER WHAT 4 DAYS WAS IT COME ON. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
I literally cried and felt to sick to my stomach watching Steven go through that. After watching the show for awhile you begin to feel as if you know these people. It broke my heart to see Steven like that and it made me wonder why anyone would want to do that to themselves. Watching the way it made Steven act I can’t possibly imagine he felt good. Every single one of these people are so amazing and it’s sad to see the path of life drugs lead them down I pray they all get better. And stay strong in there sobriety.
I watched as Steven Adler apologized to Jen for his outrageous behavior. If you watched his body language during the apology, he put his hand to his mouth IMMEDIATELY after his apology which showed he didn’t really mean it. It was if he erased the apology by wiping his words off his face.
I, for one, do not believe Adler is ready for Sober Living. He needs to be put back a step and prove PROVE once and for all that he can go TWO DAYS without getting high again and bringing out his animalistic behavior.
This man is still stuck in his adolescent stage. He needs help all right…but not in the Sober House.
Jennifer,
Thank you for doing what you do. I have a lot of addicts in my family that don’t think they have a problem or don’t care. What you do DOES make a difference I don’t care what other people say. And congrats on your own sobriety. And the one American Idol girl saying that she didn’t want to stay somewhere where she could have the cops called on her for being high or drunk..that’s rediculous. If she wants to be somewhere where there aren’t an consequences for their behavior she shouldn’t be there in a place where you enforce the rules! Keep strong Jen, they NEED those rules in order to get sober and teach them that there are different ways to live as a sober person.
Death by overdose. That is what’s next for Shifty.
dr drew ,im seth wife cousin cindy fair, i need to know is seth dead or what please write me back please.
Jen, what you did with Steven was so SPOT ON! You actually saved him from killing himself, so be proud girl and hold your head up high!! I couldnt find a blog for Nikki from American Idol, so please let her read this. Nikki I can appreciate the loss of your mother, but its time to move on ( hear me out ) I have recently lost my baby brother ( Rodney Paiz ) my older sister ( Rosie Paiz ) and my husband ( Paul Shilling ) both my parents are in bad shape and will go soon as well. I’m going to share with you what keeps me going and it should you as well, I dont use the word DIE OR DEAD, I use the word REBORN INTO THE KINGDOM OF OUR LORD! When the days come around of thier…. your word….so called death…….I remember it as being reborn. Yes they are absent in this world for us, but only becuz the Lord needed them, so he called them home, so think of how happy your mother is now in heaven. When you hold onto her as you have, it makes her sad, so for her sake please let her go to fully be with the Lord, so she can rest in PEACE! All my Love to you, please do as I ask you will feel alot better, God Bless, Sincerely: Nikki:) P.S. Yes we have the same name, makes ya wonder huh! Proud of your soberity, stay there girl, life is what you make it, and you deserve the GOOD! Think of drinking like as if it were a snake, when it bites you it KILLS.
AS an opiate addict for 13 yrs roughly, I enjoyed watching both series of Celeb Rehab. I must say that watching Sober House was a little uncomfotable. Firstly Steven shouldn’t have been allowed ‘one’ stuff up’ without a procedure of punishment. Letting him off the first day led to him getting in trouble the second time. Steven should never have been arrested – kicked out – YES, not arrested. It should have been nipped in the bud earlier. I’m not fully recovered and have detox/rehab lined up and watching Sober House is a little concerning, because you’re obviously going to have people in treatment who are at different levels with where they’re at. If there wasn’t a TV show to be made I doubt it would’ve got to that stage. Letting Steven off, the first day, allows the boundaries to be skewed so you then have Shifty rockin’ up late afew day later and from that moment the chances of the patients doing well was always going to be in jeopardy. Having said that, I love the fact the show even exists, hopefully de-stigmatizing addiction and finding some answers and results. I’m nervous but feel I’m 90% there myself, but feel that last 10% is going to be very difficult. Anyway top show. Good luck to everyone involved.
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