Mackenzie Phillips Sober Coach on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew

The Insider recently reported that actress Mackenzie Phillips will be making an appearance on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew as the third season’s “Sober Coach.”  Past Sober Coaches of Celebrity Rehab have included actors such as Gary Busey.

According to TMZ, Mackenzie Phillips entered rehab for the tenth time in September of 2008 after being busted for cocaine.  Further, most of the related cocaine charges have been dropped; upon completion of a drug diversion program, the remainder will be dropped as well.

TMZ also noted that those close to Mackenzie Phillips believe, “Mackenzie has done a complete 18,” adding that Phillips herself says, “the arrest saved her life.”  Fans of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew will have to keep an eye out as there is currently no set air date for the episodes that feature Mackenzie.

A&E Obsessed TV Series Premiere

On Memorial Day (May 25th, 2009), A & E will premiere the latest installment of their “Original Non-Fiction TV Series,” called “Obsessed.” Similar to their hit TV show “Intervention,” A&E Obsessed will also portray a very realistic (uncut), documentary-style TV Series that deals with treatment. The difference is that instead of dealing with addiction, “Obsessed” deals with the mental health condition, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

As part of an eleven episode TV Series, A & E Obsessed will air weekly at 10pm ET/PT. Each TV Show will be an hour long and focus on a different person living with anxiety disorders, including Panic Disorder, Hoarding and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

For those unfamiliar with OCD, the DSM says it is “characterized by obsessions (which cause marked anxiety or distress) and/or compulsions (which neutralize anxiety).” Often, a symptom of people living with OCD is uncontrollable rituals of repetition such as, hand washing, door locking, counting, and cleaning often. If the ritual is not performed, it only results in further anxiety.

Reverend Run’s Son, JoJo Simmons, Arrested for Marijuana Possession

As reported in BET and several other sources, JoJo Simmons, son of rapstar legend Joseph “Run” Simmons of RUN DMC, was arrested in New York for Marijuana Possession. JoJo Simmons, just 19-years-old, was actually apprehended in his vehicle while trying to use the marijuana. According to reports, once approached by NYPD, JoJo Simmons attempted to flee from police almost hitting one cop in the process.

According to BET, Reverend Run’s Son, JoJo Simmons, was officially charged with: “criminal use of drug paraphernalia, possession of Marijuana, resisting arrest and attempted reckless endangerment.” BET also published Reverend Run’s only response thus far about the incident, which was posted on his Twitter: “You can learn many things from your Children…(Patience for instance!).”

JoJo Simmons was one of Joseph “Run” Simmons (RUN DMC) children that often appeared on the Reality TV, “Run’s House show.” Run’s House dealt with everyday occurrences in Reverend Run’s house. At times, during the show, it often seemed like Reverend Run was quite strict with JoJo, frequently keeping a vigilant eye on him. That being said, the latest incident seems very out of place for the Simmons’ family.

Paula Abdul Finally Admits to Drug Addiction

After her animate denials of drug abuse, Paula Abdul has finally come clean with the media and fans alike about her drug addiciton.  In a recent interview featured in Ladies Home Journal magazine, Abdul confirmed what so many suspected when she admitted to an addiction to painkillers, which nearly took her life.  Abdul said that her addiction stemmed from mild use of prescribed drugs to treat pain left over from her dancing career.

In a recent article published in the TampaBay.com’s blog, reporter Eric Deggans writes how he always suspected that Abdul had an addiction.  He notes how he met with her several times during a Los Angeles press tour, of which he described Abdul’s behavior as, “During both interactions, she slurred words, seemed to lose her train of thought easily and generally acted as if her brain was wrapped in gauze.”

Although the rest of the article was a little harsh, we here at DanJ09 really hope that this is a first step for Paula Abdul in seeking an authentic recovery for her addiction.  Although many addicts have to hit rock bottom before being able to really begin the path to recovery, admitting that one has a habit is a huge first step.  Congrats Paula.  We wish you the best.

Dennis Rodman Jumping Back Into Rehab

After being recently released from the Reality TV show, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” it seems that Dennis Rodman is heading back to drug rehab once again.  According to eonline.com, Rodman will be entering into a treatment center for recovery.  However, this isn’t a first for the former NBA star.  Rodman has fought addiction for years and been through various in-patient rehab facilities during the process.  This time, reportedly, Rodman will be seeing an addiction counselor regularly as part of an outpatient program.

Nonetheless, eonline.com is now reporting that midst rehab talk, Rodman has yet to commit.  According to the online publication, “last week family and friends of Rodman…unsuccessfully reached out to the star, who refused to admit himself to an inpatient facility.”  The E channel also reported, during their news program E! News, that Rodman’s rep told them friends and family, “tried an intervention, but unfortunately Dennis refused to go,” adding, “We all know how amazing he is when sober, and we hope he gets there soon.”  Rodman’s rep told eonline.com that Rodman has yet to enter the program because he is hoping to attend “The Celebrity Apprentice” reunion show.

Dennis Rodman played in the NBA from 1986–2000.  He was drafted in the second round (27) from Southeastern Oklahoma State by the Detroit Pistons.  Over the years, Rodman played for: the Detroit Pistons (1986–1993); the San Antonio Spurs (1993–1995); the Chicago Bulls (1995-1998); the Los Angeles Lakers (1999); and finished his career with the Dallas Mavericks in 2000.  Dennis Rodman’s career stats include a total of 6,683 Points, an astounding 11, 954 Rebounds and 1,600 Assists.  His career highlights include: five NBA Championship appearances (1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998); two NBA All-Star appearances (1990, 1992); two consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1990 and 1991; and six consecutive NBA Rebounding Champion awards (1992–1998).  We wish him the best and hope he gets help soon to make a successful recovery.

MTV Steve O Demise and Rise Review

Tonight (May 03), Steve O of MTV’s Jack Ass told his personal tale of addiction and recovery as part of the MTV premiere documentary, “Steve O Demise and Rise.” The hour-long special was comprised of Steve O’s personal testimony along with a series of interviews by Jack Ass crew members (Johnny Knoxville, Jeff Tremaine, etc).

Steve O begins with his youth saying he had come from a family of alcoholics and by 12 years old had vomited from drinking. By 16 he was smoking pot, and by 17 taking LSD.  His ideology was “Sex Drugs and Rock N Roll.” He goes on to say that school was not for him and wanted to be a stunt man. By twenty, he had injured himself jumping from balcony and later was arrested for a DUI. His mom forced him into a rehab, but his recovery failed because he wasn’t into it. Shortly thereafter, he went to school to become a clown and became addicted to cocaine. He was doing shows as a clown but caught his break with the “Goldfish trick” on MTV, which led to his invitation to Jackass in California.

It was the money he made from Jackass that allowed him to feed his cocaine habit. By the time of the second Jackass movie, the crew had joined to tell Steve O that he had to stop using  if he wanted to take part. He was able to do so for about a year, but after filming stopped, he went back to using cocaine again. The Jack Ass crew was like his family, and without them, he felt like he was completely alone. Shortly, thereafter he developed a serious addiction to nitrous oxide, all the while he was fading from the spotlight. Steve O admitted that he was afraid of the cameras going away. He’d do anything to stay in front of the camera: stupid tricks on tmz, etc. His friends were aware that he really had a problem and were worried.

From there, he became a rapper, which his friends described as some of his darker moments, as he’d try to get arrested to help his rap career. The drug addiction led him to believe he was possessed by demons and he would talk about how he wanted to die to reunite with his mom who had passed away. He was later thrown out of the jack ass reunion by cast members for being to rambunctious. He was then arrested for cocaine possession after vandalism and disturbance of his neighbor. It was really evident from the documentary that Steve o had a camera addiction and would do anything to be on it. Eventually, he was evicted by the apartment complex and began sending emails about death and the after life. The emails began to sound suicidal, as he sent one in particular to friends warning them that he was going to jump from the apartment window and basically kill himself. It was then that Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine scheduled an intervention and took him in for psych evaluation and later a hospitalization. In the documentary, Celebrity Rehab host, Dr. Drew Pinsky, said the move “saved his life.”

From there Steve O had a 72 hour hold in psych ward, 30 days in rehab clinic, then 4 months in sober living. However, he continued with his egocentric and grandiosity way of being, thinking he could be a poster boy for recovery sobriety. People began to doubt his recovery, but Steve O was eventually able to humble himself and put down the camera. Steve O had finally had the epiphany: “getting sober for myself, then things began to improve.” He went through the 12 steps program (AA & NA fellowships), and began getting into skateboarding again. For his first sober birthday, Steve O had a skateboard party for kids. In the documentary, Jackass producer Jeff Tremaine said “People can change.” Steve O went on to do “Dancing with the stars.” The documentary closed with Steve O confirming his humbleness saying, “This isn’t something you get better from. I’m not cured.” It is exactly this and his real dedication to his recovery that has lead to his success thus far and everybody believing in Steve O once again.

2009 Prism Award Winners

Last night marked the 13th Annual Prism Awards, which were held at Beverly Hill Hotel in Beverly Hills, California and presented by The Entertainment Industry Council.  For those unfamiliar with the Prism Awards, they are the equivalency of the Oscars and the Grammys but for outstanding achievement in the “accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction, as well as mental health issues, in film, television, interactive, comic book, music, and DVD entertainment,” according to the awards website.

After it was all said and done, some winners included: Anne Hathaway in the category of  Performance in a Feature Film for Rachel Getting Married; Benjamin Bratt in the category of Performance in a Drama Multi-episode Storyline for his part in The Cleaner; A & E’s Intervention won in the category of Unscripted Non-Fiction Program for Season 4; Lastly, In the category of Music Recording, Richie Supa won for his single In the Rooms, which was written especially for the new social networking website dedicated to connecting recovering addicts around the globe, also called “In the Rooms.”

For those interested in catching Richie Supa’s performance of In the Rooms and all other performances and presentations that were part of the 2009 Prism Awards, it will be aired later this year (September 26) on FX channel.

In the Rooms featured on NBC 6 Video Miami, Fl.

The new social networking website, In the Rooms, was recently featured on NBC 6 in Miami, Fl.  The piece was featured on the morning newscast as part of anchor Joe Carter’s segment called, Carter’s Clicks.  In the introduction, Joe Carter poses the question, “what if there was a social networking site out there that was was 100% clean, one that was positive all the time and that even had the potential to save lives.”

The segment goes on to interview two recovering addicts, who credit part of the recent success of their rehabilitation to In the Rooms.  It then goes on to interview, founders Kenny Pomerance and Ron Tannenbuam, who say “We started this site because both of us had been in long-term recovery for over twenty-five years, and we thought it was time that the world saw how successful people are in recovery.”

The full In the Rooms segment, as viewed on NBC 6 in Miami, Fl. can be viewed by clicking on the video clip box below.

HBO: Addiction TV Series

In 2007, HBO launched its first season of Addiction, one of the most accurate and profound documentary-style, TV series to date. HBO Addiction has received much acclaim since it originally aired, including an award from the American College Of Neuropsychopharmacology, a Governors Award, and an Emmy. It’s wonder that HBO Addiction has done so well, its producers worked in close relation with several nationally renowned, addiction organizations like the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

Below, you can find a trailer to give you a taste of what the show is like. The episodes have addressed the complete spectrum of addiction issues that exist from a mother’s point of view of addiction, the latest breakthroughs in scientific discoveries, adolescent addiction, treatment centers and the personal testimonials of recovering addicts.

Celebrity Sex Addicts to Rehab on Reality TV Show

 

According to TMZ, VH1 has already begun production on a sex themed spin-off of its reality TV show, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Instead of cases of celebrity addiction to illegal substances, VH1’s new reality TV show would feature celebrity sex addicts trying to recover, of course, with the aid of famed councilor, Dr. Drew. So far, other sources have reported that the star-studded, sex addiction cast will include former playmates Amber Smith, Nicole Narain and Kari Ann Peniche. Additionally, expect to see gay film director/producer Duncan Roy and porn actress/director Penny Flame. The show just began shooting this week, so more information on the first season should be available soon.