Jennifer Gimenez’s Sober House commentary continues! Below, the house mother talks about Steven’s return, Amber’s relapse and how Any Dick showed her that all the effort she was putting into this show was worth it.
I had no idea that there was even a chance that Steven might return to the house after what happened.
I didn’t either! However, I was told that Steven wanted to see what he had done and apologize to me. In the 12-step community, we make amends whenever we can, and there are people I need to make amends to, and I have to be OK with them saying they don’t want to hear that or see me again. I thought, if I want someone to listen to me or give me that time, I have to be willing to give it. I was willing to meet with Steven. He came in the room and was so sincere and so humbled and so apologetic. My heart went out to him, just like it did when he relapsed. At that point, I think he realized that I did what I did not because I’m a bad person, but because I really wanted to help him. I believe in second chances, and I felt like I should give him one. There were serious boundaries put up when he returned to the house. He wasn’t allowed to even say, “F*** you” to me. Talking to Dr. Drew and seeing Steven allowed me to forgive him instantly and realize that the way he was before was just the sick Steven.
At the point when you were talking to Dr. Drew and crying at the prospect of Steven returning, I had to think, “What is Jenn getting out of this?”
I’m so glad you see that. I hope other people do, too. I felt like things were crazy between Mary and her boyfriend and Seth coming in late and Steven’s return. But I stuck it out and what eventually made me stay was Andy.
Really?
Yeah, Andy changed my life. When I found out Andy was coming, I was like, “Oh hell no. I’m done.” I believed the media on who Andy was and the hype of the loaded Andy Dick. I figured he was gonna get in there, rule the house and be like, “Let’s kill this girl!” But when I open the door and see him, I see this little man that gray and shaking and so scared. He was like, “Help.” From the minute I opened the door, I saw something in him that I had not seen in anyone else. It felt like he walked in waving a white flag. He made my heart melt. Rodney was also sweet, he was just very reserved. Andy was all out, just, “This is me, and let me tell you and I’m dying and I want to get better.” He just vomited what he was feeling and who he was. It reminded me a lot of myself when I wanted to get better. I thought, “Oh my god, I’m in love with this guy. This is why I’m doing that.” And it all made sense. Andy made it complete. He was my light. To this day, we talk three or four times a day. He is my angel. I love him so much. You will hear nothing but great things from me on Andy.
Almost immediately, you have a maternal relationship with him. Where did that come from?
My whole life, I’ve been that way. I’ve been the provider of my family since I was 14. My little brother is the world to me, and I take care of my mother. I was also very close to my father before he died. I don’t know if it’s a Latin thing or a woman thing, but Andy wanted it and I love to take care of people. I have the motherly instinct in me. Andy needed a guide and he was willing.
I experienced him as a viewer sort of as you did in person. I figured, oh, he’s going to come on and be annoying at best. But I found him endearing from the start.
I don’t ever want to know Andy Dick the drunk, but I love the Andy Dick that is a wonderful spirit, a beautiful soul, a great man. I’ve never seen even a hint of what he’s been portrayed to be. And I’m sure it’s in him. The moment that Andy walked in, I owned the house. I was no longer scared or worried or trying not to say the wrong thing. I was just me. He allowed me to bring the me out, and he loved me for it.
Did you expect to forge this kind of a bond in this situation?
No, and especially not at this point, when I was pulling my hair out, thinking, “This is going to end me or I’m going to end it.” When I saw him on that doorstep, it all just made sense. I can’t even put it more elaborately: it just made sense.
On a less optimistic point, Amber gets invited to this party, and you’re against her attending from the start.
Poor, little sweet Amber, she’s a great girl. She’s a beautiful woman, she just doesn’t see it. One of her biggest triggers is men. She expresses that, that’s why I say it. All of a sudden, she gets a text message from a guy saying, “Come to my party,” and she automatically assumes it’s a date. Her illusion of this is totally incorrect. Her perception is so distorted that it breaks my heart. It’s like, this girl is going to go to any length to please this guy: even a frat party. Worst thing ever! Just to see her change when she got that text and how excited she got about this “date,” when in reality, he didn’t even pick her up.
No, and he actually avoids her once she’s there. And so she relapses. What are your thoughts on that?
I had great concern when she was leaving, because I knew the chances of her relapsing were very, very high. It’s such a setback to everything she’d been working for at this point.
Drew would argue that relapsing is all part of the process, though.
It’s not in the books. It’s not everyone’s story. You don’t have to relapse. Some people do have to relapse to finally get it, but you don’t have to relapse. If it happens, it’s a setback. Obviously, you haven’t surrendered or admitted that you’re powerless over this stuff yet. I see what Drew says, but I don’t think we should put any emphasis on it. It can be part of the process, and it’s not to put anyone down, but I also think that we don’t need to put it in people’s heads, because addicts will just go with it.
Check out what Dr. Drew had to say about this week’s episode here.
Related content
Sober House show page
Sober House videos and extras
OMG – talk about baaaaddd botox!!! Jennifer’s lips made my pupils dialate!
Hey Jen, you continue to do a good job. On Saturday I will celebrate my 1st sober bday and I am so excited. I have been doing a lot of reflecting this week and I remember describing exactly the way you did, when I surrendereed I curled up like a baby and raised the white flag because that was it I JUST COULDN’T DO IT ANYMORE!!!
Some important things I haven’t heard being talked about is the importants of the 12 steps. Are these people actually working them. Are they going to 90 meetings in 90 days. Have they gotten sponsors. Are they reading the BB?? I haven’t heard we have to lose our playgrounds, playmates and playthings. Is thise stuff being edited out?
Ok so every week I ask about your friend Teresa. Her story inspires me so much everyday. I would really like to meet her.
Don’t listen to the haters they aren’t working a good program or have no idea about recovery.
Hi Jennifer! Just wanted to say hi and that I think you are great! You do a wonderful job.
I think this show is great. I really hope Seth and Steven really do better. and realize there is so much out there besides the drugs. Seth and his son. Stop and think Seth how much better a dad you can be to him. Steven has a wife who loves him and needs to think about her before she’s had enough and leaves. All the group has so much in life to offer others they just need to think about it alot.
sherry b
Dr. Drew really wants to help these people, I truly believe that. But there are people that really struggle with sobriety every day of there lives that do not have the money, accessibility and the chance to have the treatment that is being handed to these celebrities over and over again. Sober house I believe is making a mockery of getting through life sober. Believe me it is not a joke when you are an “everyday” wife, mother, sister, etc., that is trying to help and cope with an addict or alcoholic, struggling everyday. It’s a shame, if these celebrities get paid for this, let them donate it back so a person who really needs it can get the treatment they need.
Relapse is all part of the process? What? I have had my original dry date for almost 18 years now…one day at a time, no treatment or half-way house, meetings, 12 Steps, the Big Book, sponsorship, prayer and TOTAL surrender. Jen, you have SO much drama in that house and I think you walk through it with a lot of grace and dignity…which is what I was given along with the gift of sobriety…when I walked through the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous. The house residents will remain in my prayers as they trudge the road, but the staff really get an extra prayer for their participation in the lives of these clients. I hope all take advantage of good sponsorship, meetings and “doing the do things” on a daily basis. Peace from TX!
Hey Jen, I SPOKE TO TERESA!!!! She is the same one from the CD I have and she is awesome. Keep up the good work!!
Jenn, I think you are wonderful and strong for doing what you do…I myself am not an addict but my husband is a “functioning” alcoholic…I have watched all episodes of celebrity rehab and sober house I guess in hopes that someday my husband will realize that he needs help…How do you NOT tell the house mates what to do or what is best for them but rather “suggest”??
to everyone in the house you can do it.and jenn great job.And to steven i’ve been watching the show,and i just want to tell you that i just love you.and i know that you can do it.just have faith in your self.Steven you have a piece of my heart.i’ll be praying for you hun.god bless you all.
Hi Jen; I am a recovering alcoholic with almost 2 yrs. of sobriety. I think you are an amazing woman to be doing what you are doing! What an inspiration to the rest of us in recovery! Keep up the good work, way to stay sober!
First of all u are wounderful steven and seth are in deep but my heart goes out to Amber i have been addicted to pills for 20 years i dont know how to live i am just learning tell amber i shot my leg off im now 43 and have to deal with this everyday i hope she can pull this off she has to luv herself see how much she has going for her i look back now what i thought was bad was nothing like what i deal with now i turn to GODand family ive tryed rehab and 12 steps nothing ever worked now i wish icould go back but if i hadnot lost my leg i would have never changed i hope Amber can see how great life is just by putting 2 feet on the floor every day im so glad stven is back i know u understand how addicts are u are such a blesssing luv u guy and the program it gives me a reality check luv u all
Jennifer, I know this is beside the point, but I think you are so gorgeous!
i was so mad to see amber relaspe she shouldn’t never went to that party.She going to hate herself in morning that guy dosent care anything about her sobity he just want to get a quick laid and i hope she recover from this i’m praying for her
Jennifer-You are such a great person! This must be a very difficult job. I almost cried when you told Steven that he was forgiven…very cool of you. I think that you have found your calling…
Jen- you are doing such a great job! I know it must be hard at times to see negative comments made about you but stay strong. It angers me on how ignorant people are and that they think they could do a better job. I may not know alot about addicts behavior but I can emphathize that it must be a very difficult job to deal with. I don’t think it matters that you’ve been sober only 2 years and your the house mom. You have to be a special person to do this job and all the drama that it entails, plus staying sober yourself. You are that special person!
You are patient,calm, understanding, nurturing and yet you are tough when you need to be. The lesson you had with not being judgemental or criticizing must be challenging living in the world of a celebrity. The media fuels the world with judgement and criticism.
Just remember when your having a bad day that you have so many people praying for you. There are many of us that support what your doing and appreciate the challenges you encounter.
I believe this type of job may be your calling because you do it so well. Keep up the great work!
good luck everyone
Amber – you are such a beautiful lady on the inside. I wish I knew you so we could be friends and you could meet people who would treat you the way you treat others. I can see where you would get frustrated and bored watching people smoke and talking about hair and other trivial things. Be confident – you have all the right to be. Good luck – I am sure several things have happened since the rerun of the episode I saw tonight when you went to the party. I hope you are realizing you can do much better than a guy who is an immature jerk! Take care of yourself – good things are in your future!
My heart goes out to Steven….prayers and hugs…you can do this…God Bless you Jen…When I watched this scene I cried. The world needs more people like you all…the love that you are showing for each other is remarkable and you are blessed to have each other to help you thru the lessons that you are learning and the journey that your are traveling.
JENNIFER,
I HAVE THE EXACT SAME JOB AS YOU IN CLEVELAND,OH. AS A MATTER OF FACT SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN THROUGH HERE BEFORE. I AM ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTANDS YOUR POSITION–ESPECIALLY BEING THERE 24-7. YOU KEEP STRONG AND KEEP THE FAITH AS YOU ARE DOING GOD’S WORK. I AM ALSO ABOUT TO VENTURE INTO A VERY BIG DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HOW THE PLACE I WORK AT CAME TO BE AND THE ADDICTS RECOVERY JOURNEY—DIFFERENT FROM YOUR SHOW OF COURSE. I RESPECT WHAT YOU DO AND I CAN RELATE. IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS—GIVE ME A CALL GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR JOURNEY
BRUCE
jen you rock!you are beautiful and amazingly strong!you incourage me everyday to beat my 18 year opiate addiction. and yes watching steven scares me! i keep him in my prayers! thank you guys for what you do! god bless all of you! i get stronger every day because of this show! keep up the good work!!!!
Will someone please tell the “Housemother” she is always hanging out of her clothes???? I really enjoy the characters on the show, but she is so disgustingly under dressed, that the show is unbearable for me to watch.
Then don’t watch it Chantel. C’mon really don’t be a baby about it. So her dress is a little short ; big deal.
Jennifer, I so proud of you. You are a loving, beautiful, and forgiving woman. I’m so pround of the way that you handeled Steven. You are very professional.
everyone needs to get off jenns back. i know for a fact that when you stop during drugs you’re going to gain weight. leave her alone. i would rather her look healthy (she’s not fat) than skinny because of drugs. BACK OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Jennifer I think you’re very attractive and that short dress you wore for stevens appology, made my heart raise, please don’t take this the wrong way, it seems to me that your the only one in this program who has any sense, as a recovering addic myself (10years clean)I understand the difficult possition you’re in, but I can see that this show is not for real as nobody that relapses the way Steven did has any bussiness coming back into a sober house a day later are you kidding, he should go back to detox and stay in an inpatient program a minimium of 6 months, it seems to me the man is simply not ready and is being used for audience pourposes, what a shame and then the model lady gets a night pass to go on a date with out even a chaperon, please this totally sends the wrong message to any addicts out there seeking recovery, any ways I’m sure you need to make a living, I’m not criticizing you am criticizing the show, by the way do you have a brother who’s also an actor, I saw in that movie with Mickey Rourke, I forgot the name…
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT JENNIFER IS A BEAUTIFUL, STRONG WOMAN THAT HAS TO DEAL WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALL GOING THROUGH THE HARDEST TIMES OF THEIR LIVES. AND TO ALL OF YOU THAT SAY OFFENSIVE THINGS ABOUT HER WEIGHT, YOU ARE ALL JUST JEALOUS OF THE FACT THAT SHE IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOU ARE. I THINK HER BODY IS AMAZING AND SHE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO SHOW IT OFF. JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE IS ON TV THAT IS NOT A SIZE ZERO, SHE IS CONSIDERED “FAT”. SHE IS NOT OVERWEIGHT IN MY EYES. SHE IS A HEALTHY WOMAN. SHE IS DOING SOMETHING WONDERFUL WITH HER LIFE UNLIKE MOST PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD AND SHE SHOULD BE PRAISED FOR THAT INSTEAD OF PUT DOWN OVER SOMETHING AS INSIGNIFICANT AS HER WEIGHT. I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF HER AND LOOK UP TO HER. SHE HAS A HARD JOB BUT A MEANINGFUL ONE. SHE IS TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE SAVE THEIR LIVES! HAVE YOU HELPED SAVE A LIFE TODAY? I DOUBT IT. SHE IS AN AMAZING WOMAN AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO ADMIRE HER AND WHAT SHE IS DOING RATHER THAN TRY AND PUT HER DOWN TO MAKE YOURSELVES FEEL BETTER. JENNIFER, YOU ARE AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL. I AM SO PROUD OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO HELP ALL OF THESE PEOPLE!!!
jennifer on sober house should be in jail!!! i was a herion addict for around 5 years in the pittsburgh area. i’ve been clean almost 4. this woman just scared thousands of people from going to a sober house. when your in a 12 step inpatient program for 3 or 4 weeks the first thing you wanna do is get out and live life, weather clean or not. your mind is already made up. sober house is for people on the fence of being sober or screwing up the rest of there lives. jennifer just reminded the addicts ” on the fence ” that they can get arrested that much easier in sober living. my advice is to make up your mind weather you wanna be a junkie or have a little fun in life, and it aint in drugs. rehabs never helped me, just made it worse. i finally made up my on mind! stay away from jennifers sober house unless you wanna wind up in jail dope sick!
I love this show. I love Dr. Drew. I am impressed with the whole process and respect the situation that Jen is in and the tough situations she is faced with. Personally, I have never been an addict and have never done any hard drugs but so many people I know and love have and have become serious addicts. They lie, they steal, they’ve become unrecognizable from their former selves. It’s so hard to know what to do and what to say to help these people. But in watching this and Rehab helps to know how to help and how to encourage, not only that, I think it helps other people to realize that addiction is a disease. It’s one that doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is, where you’ve lived and grown up or how much money you’ve made. It only takes that one time. That one situation. That one bad choice. I’ve seen it. You saw Steven Adler, he didn’t care who he was hurting by his actions, he was high and wanted more and more and more. Nothing else mattered. That’s not him though, that’s not the sweet guy that was hugging every one and happy while at rehab. It’s sad in a way that can’t even be expressed in words. But this is what it is. It’s an ugly truth. This show I believe will help people understand addiction. Addicts are not losers to be discarded and berated. They are human beings who desperately need help. This could be you. Your child, your parent, your sibling, your freind.
Every time I watch I go through it with them, I route for them to succeed and can’t wait to see the progress that they’ve made. I wish them the best and I commend them for being so brave to take on their demons in front of the world. Jen’s job is a tough one. She has to be strong and sometimes unpopular. If she hadn’t made the decision she made to send Steven away, where would he be now and what would that have said to the others in the house. They are there to get better. She is protecting them and they need to respect her and take her seriously. If she had let that go, what next? She did the right thing. And I’m sure it was a very difficult decision. If I was her I would’ve done the same. As far as I’m concerned she saved his life.
Hey all or anyone and everyone who are recovering addicts or still need help. God Bless ‘us all’.
It’s a tough game out there as an addict. Trying to commit, not trying to lie, living until the next high or not.
My junk is alcohol, I love it, it seems to love me until the next day. As many of my sober living people know, and have told me “it is a better life outside of this $hi!”. Good luck to all of us…including me.
I would like to send Jenn a private email. It is for a college project. Can you forward something to her?
i think jenn interjects herself into the program way too much..
the show helps alot for average people..alder haha is to far gone though.
I have to agree with Jen on this, You dont need to put it in the head of a addict that re-lapes is all part of the process.
Does Jen read this blog at all?
Im wondering if Jen reads this blog?
You know it scared the hell out of me when I seen the preview on Seth and his cardiac arrest. Oh my God he is so much like my son, but he is somebody’s son and he’s so lost. I just want to save him from all the pain he’s putting himself through, but then he wont learn his lesson. And that is life is a wonderful gift, yes it hurts to live sometimes because we feel everything that’s what makes us so special. Seth my prayers are with you and everyone going through the addiction process, everyone is addicted to something learn to live with it not die from it. xxxxxooooo to all.
I totally agree with you, Jen, on Andy. He is melting my heart as I watch. He is just so genuine and wants his peers to succeed, also. A completely different, refreshing side of him that is so touching to watch. It’s nice to see his true heart and true person!
SETH is a DRAMA QUEEN lol…
Jennifer,
You are a stand up chic. I love how you handle the crew at the house and you keep your ground. Stay strong sister.
I love your earrings to girlfriend. Where did you get
them?
N
i just want to say that David needs to go i f-n hate that dude,he,s the bigest rat p.o.s ever.butI think this show is awsome.As an addict my self i love this show and i know that it is a real disease,to be addicted to drugs.And a full time job with lots an lots of over time.I was a heroin addict for 10 yrs and have now been on methadone for 2 yrs.It is the hardest thing in the world getting of drugs and getting your life back.I never went to rehab or a sober house and i wish i would have,i guess i still can anyway i love the show,and i am praying for them all i hope they can all get ther lives back on track.good luck
i think jen did the right thing in calling the cops. i t hink as addicts wre affrid of athority.expecially cops.jen doesnt have a lot of sobrety so it makes things hard for her.at least she is keep her head strait.luv u jen keep up the good work .
Hey Dr Drew
I have been wanting to blog this show and let you know what a great job you are doing with those guys! I am so happy that Steve has returned I know in my heart that he is really trying because he is so much more humbler now.My heart goes out to Seth I think he is a great person just has a serious demon he is dealing with. I pray for him daily that he will recover with the help of everyone he has surrounded himself with.I really hope that the house mom will hang in there because she is really need for those guys.For Andy (Mr.True Blue) he is a great person and I hope for his recovery also. I think that the conclusion that Rodney came to was great I had to personally do that myself to get over the bad things that has present themselves in my life.So Power To You Rodney!!!! Last but not lest the girls Mary,Amber, and REDD I think if they would just listen to Jen they are going to be fine.Mary I think you are a great person and just give up that toxic boyfriend and you will be that Ballaist of all times.So take care my tv friends and keep up the good work and I am PRAYING for you guys!!! Much Love Dr DREW and your staff
Dear Dr. Drew,
Please stay close to Steven, his soul is worth saving. He is such a talented man and has made his mark in history through Guns n Roses. I want to hear more music from him and I know he has so much more to give the world. He just needs to focus on his sobriety. My heart goes out to him and I want him to know he is a special, talented human being. I pray for him, I know he can do it. Tell him to stay strong. And nothing good comes from doing drugs.
linda
My heart is with Steven. What an amazing person he is sober. It just makes you wonder how many second chances a person can have. Please watch over him Dr.Drew and may God Bless them all.
I have been wanting to write to all of you for so long,I also watched the first show,and loved that as well dr drew I love you,for what you do for this crazy bunch of people you are a saint! Crazy bunch I love you all to I watch weekly w/the world to see how far you will come keep it up seth enough!that’s it enough! Amber you are beautiful! So beautiful! Jen you just rock it! Steven you are a good guy,not a bad boy anymore,time to rock it,show slash everyone else see you in the movies
I feel for all of you, and I can’t imagine the daily struggles that you ALL must have to face, but please DON’T give up. In my book, you all still have something special left to give the world, and most importanly, give to YOURSELF!!!
I have lost some very good people to drugs and alcohol, and I would do anything if I could have saved them, but I have learned (the hard way) that I can’t save anyone, but myself.
So, please….keep up the good work, and if you stumble, just get up brush yourself off, and keep up the fight….YOU are all worth it.
You’re all in my thoughts…Sincerely, Nancy M