When Is Rehab Not Rehab?
Rehabilitation, or rehab as it's more commonly known, can provide a unique opportunity for people with serious problems, usually addictions, to turn their lives around. It's a time for reflection, rebuilding and preparation for what lies ahead in a life without substance abuse. Substance abuse is no joke; it's not funny. It's serious business because it's a misguided attempt to get relief from pain. We know that many substance abusers, whether street drug users or alcoholics, suffer from depression or anxiety or both.
Lately, rehab is being used and abused, to my mind and I don't think I'm alone.
Patti Davis, Ronald Reagan's daughter, and I agree on this and she let her thoughts be known in a recent Newsweek piece she wrote. In the article, entitled "When Celebs Abuse Rehab," Davis took a close look at the actions of Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Isaiah Washington, to name just a few, that came to her mind, and opined that "what we've forgotten is that rehab is supposed to result in rehabilitation." Too true, Patti, and I also agree that it's the rehabilitation that has been lost in all this "rehabbing" we are constantly seeing.
If rehab works, and it does, how come these folks are popping in and out of it so frequently? For Ms. Davis, this means she's good and angry because she sees they're using it merely as "a brief retreat from the paparazzi." The lessons to be learned behind the sheltering walls of these facilities are lessons for a lifetime, if you listen, agree and decide that you do want a life free from substances. If you use it as a stopping off spot much like a trip to a weekend spa, what are you doing? I am tempted to say it's foolish, but that's not strong enough. It's really tantamount to driving drunk in a car and people sitting by the side of the road with bandages and cameras, waiting for the money shot.
It demeans those who use rehab as this tony resort/spa and it makes it seem like some sort of immature game you play. Only in this game, you make the rules and even the professionals can't make you abide by their tried-and-true methods to save your life.
As Robert Frost once wrote, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: rehab, Patty Davis, Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Isaiah Washington, addiction, substance abuse, drugs, alcohol, health and wellness
Lately, rehab is being used and abused, to my mind and I don't think I'm alone.
Patti Davis, Ronald Reagan's daughter, and I agree on this and she let her thoughts be known in a recent Newsweek piece she wrote. In the article, entitled "When Celebs Abuse Rehab," Davis took a close look at the actions of Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Isaiah Washington, to name just a few, that came to her mind, and opined that "what we've forgotten is that rehab is supposed to result in rehabilitation." Too true, Patti, and I also agree that it's the rehabilitation that has been lost in all this "rehabbing" we are constantly seeing.
If rehab works, and it does, how come these folks are popping in and out of it so frequently? For Ms. Davis, this means she's good and angry because she sees they're using it merely as "a brief retreat from the paparazzi." The lessons to be learned behind the sheltering walls of these facilities are lessons for a lifetime, if you listen, agree and decide that you do want a life free from substances. If you use it as a stopping off spot much like a trip to a weekend spa, what are you doing? I am tempted to say it's foolish, but that's not strong enough. It's really tantamount to driving drunk in a car and people sitting by the side of the road with bandages and cameras, waiting for the money shot.
It demeans those who use rehab as this tony resort/spa and it makes it seem like some sort of immature game you play. Only in this game, you make the rules and even the professionals can't make you abide by their tried-and-true methods to save your life.
As Robert Frost once wrote, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: rehab, Patty Davis, Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Isaiah Washington, addiction, substance abuse, drugs, alcohol, health and wellness
8 Comments:
When I was in treatment, it really meanth life or death...not a place to hide until the heat is off. I learned help is only help when it perceived as such. The news only reports on those with celebrity. What about all of the people that rehab has truly helped?
I think that for a lot of people, especially Celebs, rehab is a way to stay out of jail. I then think that for kids and very young adults, it's a way to stay on their parents good side so that Mommy and Daddy keep helping them. And then there are those people who are serious about rehab. But it's not enough of the total people who go into rehab. IMHO
More proof that money rules!
my neighbor has been in and out of rehab and she's still a blazing alcoholic.
Substance abuse is a difficult problem to overcome, and it can be complicated. For many people, it takes more than one try to stop using drugs or alcohol. As for celebrities using rehab as a "time-out", maybe that's as much media hype as it is reality. Also, if the particular facilities in question are not fully accredited the media should be pointing that out, rather than violating the privacy of the patients (famous or not).
Bottom line, alcoholism is a disease, just like diabetes or heart disease or osteoporosis. It (and other substance abuse issues) should be treated as a medical condition, not a circus attraction!
I am a product of rehab who has been sober for 23 years. Rehab can and does work when one applies all that was taught about the disease and treatments for it. Some celebs use it to hide out for a while but there are anonymous celebs who have gone to rehab without advertising it.
What makes me mad is when celebrities check into rehab and then check out a few days or weeks later. Obviously they haven't gotten anything out of it in that short time! They should be forced to stay until truly "rehabilitated" - no matter how long that takes.
It took me 4 times in rehab to finally get clean for good.
But it really makes me angry the way celebrities misuse it these days.
Every time they get caught on camera doing something illegal, dangerous, or just plain unflattering, it's "Woops I messed up......off to rehab"
Like that excuses them from taking responsibility for their actions.
I also know from experience that one week in rehab is not going to change anyone's behavior long- term!
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