Yes, I admit it. I’m addicted to reality shows. One of my favorite is Dr. Drew’s show, Celebrity Rehab. Dr. Drew Pinsky is a down to earth Virgo dude, who really seems to care about his patients.
This season, Dr. Drew has several new stars to contend with including: Steven Adler of Guns n Roses, Nikki McKibbin of American Idol, Jeff Conaway of Taxi, Amber Smith model, Sean Stewart son of Rod Stewart, Tawny Kitaen actress, Gary Busey actor, and Rodney King the victim which sparked the LA riots.
In the first episode, I think Steven Adler’s and Rodney King’s stories touched me the most. Rodney King an Aries, in 1991, was the victim of a vicious racial beating by cops in LA. The controversy later sparked the LA riots, after the police officers were acquitted of the horrific beating. In a civil lawsuit, Rodney King was awarded $3.8 million dollars in civil damages. The scars emotionally are still evident and he suffers from alcoholism.
Steven Adler, born on the cusp of Capricorn and Aquarius, is the former drummer of Guns n Roses. In 1990, Axl Rose fired Adler from the band for his alcohol and drug addiction. Since then, it has been a downward spiral for the talented musician. Watching him on TV, he seems to have a very soft soul, it’s painful to watch him destroy himself over his band’s betrayal of kicking him out of the band. He even tells Dr. Drew, “I wish I was dead everyday.” Poor guy.
But if viewers come for the rubbernecking, they will stay for the pathos. You can fake a lot of things on reality television, but it’s hard to fake detox. It is horrifying to watch, and if you want to impress your children about the dangers of drug abuse, the image of Smith writhing and puking on the floor should go far.
More than that, “Celebrity Rehab” mirrors largely the lies many of us tell ourselves about all sorts of things. No one is more nakedly honest about their self-delusions than a bunch of addicts, who will look you straight in the eye (or as straight as their palsied heads will allow) and tell you that they take these pills to only sleep, that they feel no resentment about their mothers abandoning them, that they aren’t in recovery because they are recovered, that they don’t need any help because they can quit on their own.
I think it’s an important show to watch. It shows both sides of addiction and being a celebrity. It airs on VH1, on Thursday nights.
Brian,
I have just sent you an email. We’re not affiliated with Dr.Drew but I would be happy to refer you to a local AA or NA chapter that can provide you help. Please know that you are not alone and there are people who care, also people who can help. If you can let us know what city and state you are in, we will help connect you with a local chapter. God Bless!
Dear Dr. Drew,
I am a huge fan of your show and I desperately need help. I am a 14 year Opiate addict and I feel I dont’ have much time left. I have been trying to admit myself into a treatment center for the last 8 weeks but since I am one of the 47 million people without insurance, they will not except me. I don’t know what else to do and I have been reading your book on painkiller addiction and I know I can’t quit on my own. I need help right away or I feel it in my soul that I will not be here by Christmas.
PLEASE HELP ME.