Do Addicted Celebrities Get Better Treatment?

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Hardly a week goes by without hearing about a new high-profile actor, musician, or politician that has checked into a recovery or rehab center to treat their drug or alcohol addiction. And when these celebrities decide to take on their substance abuse issues, you hear about them checking into exclusive facilities, often in Malibu with gorgeous views of the ocean and unparalleled spa amenities. So do celebrities get overall better treatment than "regular" people? It's hard to say, because each person's story is different. No matter the person or treatment facility, the real success comes when that person truly decides to make a lifelong effort to remain sober. At Mark Houston Recovery, we are dedicated to helping those men who are ready and willing to begin a life of sobriety.

Treatment of Addicted Celebrities

There has been controversy over the fact that stars like Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, and Paris Hilton seemed to get off easy for their drunk driving arrests. Lohan received a one-day sentence after pleading guilty to drinking while driving (her second offense), Richie served only 82 minutes for her DUI (her second offense as well), and while Hilton served time for her drunk driving-related arrest, she initially was released after only four days. Some may say this is because these girls are celebrities, but the problem more has to do with the leniency of drunk driving laws across the country, a whole other topic that definitely deserves the time and attention of lawmakers. But once in rehab, do celebrities receive any special treatment? The general consensus is no, celebrities are treated the same at addiction recovery centers - they have to attend group therapy sessions, do chores, and participate in recovery activities just like everyone else. No matter what the person's job is, the underlying problem of addiction is still the same.

Factors Leading to Celebrity Addiction

There are many factors that may explain why celebrities seem to struggle with addictions to drugs and alcohol. Celebrities are often in an environment that encourages excess, wrapped up in the Hollywood scene of parties with free-flowing drinks and drugs. And they're commonly expected to be the life of the party, leading the way toward the open bar. Celebrities also are usually cut off from the stabilizing influences of family and close friends, and may be around people who enable their addiction. Agents and other hired help who are close with the star on a daily basis may not report any problem with addiction if one exists, since admitting a problem could mean they lose their job if the person goes to rehab. And once in rehab, the celebrity may have a tough time in a way that's different from regular people. It's very hard for a public figure to get better when they are always under scrutiny, and they're often afraid that whatever they say will leak to the press or their fans. For that reason, many celebrities choose exclusive, expensive drug rehab facilities where they may be more secluded from mainstream America. Either way, not even the fanciest program can guarantee successful treatment. Success requires a lifelong effort by the patient to stay clean. At Mark Houston Recovery, we are committed to helping our male patients, celebrities or not, become sober and live the life they've always wanted. Contact us today if you or a loved one needs help with substance abuse addiction.