Help Lindsay Lohan? Dr. Drew Says He'd Need a Year

By Nicki Gostin Posted Dec 7th 2010 10:01PM

As if Dr. Drew Pinsky isn't busy enough, next year the addiction specialist will add a HLN talk show to his busy schedule, which already includes 'Celebrity Rehab, 'Sober House' and, of course, his day job as a medical doctor in sunny Southern California. Alas, if only there was a term for being addicted to work! If there was, perhaps the doc-of-all trades could treat it. Pinsky dialed in with PopEater for a quick chat and discussed his plan for the new show, why he's "confused" when critics say he's exploiting star addicts and why he has little desire to treat "very difficult" Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen. Also, note to his teenage kids: Your dad will call the cops if you drink and drive. So, you know, don't.

Tell me about the talk show.
We're still in the stages of developing what the show is. I know what I want to do. My favorite thing to do is sit in Larry King or Joy Behar's seat and run those shows. It's a real challenge and it's fun and I'm interested in people and news of the day, and I'd like to have an opportunity to use my sensibilities and my knowledge base to sort of investigate these things. I can't tell you how often I watch TV and think: "Oh my God, they're going down a path that is just false." I know that because I'm a clinician. We're going to have interesting guests from all walks and hopefully some multi-media platforming. It'll start in March or April and I'm very, very happy about it.

What about the new season of 'Celebrity Rehab'?
Although they are ambivalent and resistant when they come in, they all end up really embracing the process and bonding almost too tightly with each other. About a week into it, they declare they're best friends. We were like, "Careful guys we know you're having intense experiences." Good news is most of them are still in treatment and doing very well.

What do you say to criticism that you take advantage of them?
I'm a little confused by that. On the one hand, these are people that are not particularly motivated to seek treatment, yet they desperately need it. They come to us because they're motivated to be on TV and make money and because of that skewed motivation we're able to keep them in treatment. The extraordinary thing we've discovered is that they don't leave treatment. They want to be on TV and make money and I can work very intensely with them. They don't leave. In usual treatment, when you get going intensely, they leave and say, "Screw this, I'm going to do drugs." These guys stay and they end up eventually getting with the program. I think you'll find almost every person who's done it feels it was a life-changing experience and wanting to be an inspiration to other people.

So if it's a mercenary or exploitative experience, you would think we would be taking something from them for ourselves. They're getting paid, often considerably more than I am, they're getting great treatment and a great outcome and they feel good about it. So how is that exploitative? Are we playing on their fame-seeking? Sure, but in terms of getting on the other side you'll see less of them on TMZ.

Who would be your dream celebs to have on the show?
I don't have one. It's just people who need treatment as far as I'm concerned.

Wouldn't you love to have Lindsay Lohan?
No, I wouldn't love it.

But she needs help.
Yeah, but she's a very difficult patient. The only way I would take her is if she would agree to stay in treatment for one year.

Why do you say she's a difficult patient?
Really? [Laughs]

What about Charlie Sheen?
Again, he needs a year. I do think my team could really help them in a special way, TV or not TV, but they need longer term.

You have three teenagers. Do you have a zero-tolerance policy?
I absolutely do. If I found pot in one of their rooms, I would get help immediately. I would get a professional team assembled because if it's bad enough that I'm finding it then it's bad.

Surely they've gotten drunk once.
Surely, but if I find out about it ... Listen, here is what I presented to them. You're going to do what you're going to do. You know what I do for a living. I've taken them to treatment programs, they've seen the consequences of use and all day long I tell parents what to do and they don't and horrible things happen as a result. So as a result of my experience -- mea culpa, maybe I'm hardcore -- I'm sorry for you guys that I'm your dad, but my experience has taught me that this is how it's going to go. If you drink and do drugs, I'm going to make sure the consequences are brought down upon you. If you go drinking and driving I'm going to make sure the cops are going to get you and I'm not going to bail you out of jail. I'm sorry, it's going to kill me but that's how it's going to go.

Tags: celebrity rehab, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Lindsay Lohan

Comments

(76)

Wednesday 08 December

By lk

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what do you know about substance abusers and their treatment?

By Greg Jones

I read this interview skeptically, but I got to admit, sounds like this guy knows what he's talking about. Amazing! and on aol too!

By gloriastrtrkkr

But he's so cute!

By ilovegossip

Too bad Lindsay's parents didn't have his attitude. Maybe then she wouldn't be in the position she is in now. Instead, Dina stuck her head in the sand and denied Lindsay had any problem...like the first DUI wasn't any indication she has a problem???

By amy

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He has no desire to treat lindsay? really? Is that why they offered her a million dollars to appear on celebrity rehab and why he can't shut up talking about her. He's been milking her name for over a year and half.

and your proof of this is from where?

By PHN

He is just pissed off that she won't appear on his show, so that is why he talks crap about her...A year in rehab?? What a racket he has going on

PHN

By bigo22250

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How about NOT feeling sorry for her. Post something real worth reading

By Alex Garrison

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IK

20 years experience dealing with people who were not successful with treatment, 12 step or much anything else... with a private program. Look at the return rates for second, third, fourth and more...no profit in cure. If it were really a disease the odds would be far greater. May I suggest a great book. "Addiction is A Choice" by Jeffrey Schaler, Phd. People recover from poor choices...because THEY want to.

By chris

Alex it is a disease and yes I am in AA. Four year now and it works. It is not a choice.

By Sally

I am addicted to Celebrity Rehab!

By bj the dj

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Why does everyone pick on sweet Lindsey? She is just a typical good girl with problem parents.

By robert

And when he calls the cops on his son for drinking and driving, Who is going to pay for the DUI? You are Dr drew. Telling teenagers no drinking or smoking pot! Good luck with that Stalin

By Hmmm

RERUN - SAME ARTICLE DIF. HEADLINE

By Kekeli

Re: The washed up, has been celebrity in the video who claims he was kidnapped, forced to share/take drugs at part-time gunpoint, and threw in that they were Black for good measure (and credibility).... DUDE, WHAT GRADE ARE YOU IN!!!!!!

By KPuitz

Who is Lindsay Lohan?

By Mother

My son died from drugs last year. I wish my son could have had a hard line Doc like Dr Drew. It could have made all the difference.

Mother, I am so sorry for your loss..I have to disagree with you however because an addict who wants to use is going to use..I don't care how many times an addict has been in rehab, it only works if you want it too..What I want to say is, if an addict has been in a 12 step rehab 9 times, maybe its time to try another kind of program..There are many out there today..I tried 12 steps, I managed to not do dope for years, but that whole time I was depressed, suicidal, self destructive..When I was prescribed a narcotic for surgery, that first pill made me feel NORMAL..After that no matter how many times I tried, I couldn't stay clean..Methadone while not for everyone saved my life..I feel normal for the first time in 35 years..I don't put down any program, but I also don't like the way some 12 steppers think their way is the only way..That is cult like thinking

PHN

By Honest John

I believe Hollywood is a CRAP producing entity. Nothing but professionals acting like Bozo's, Nuckleheads, Booze,Sex and Drug Addicts's, Casting Couch Producers, Defense Attorneys, who do nothing but run around making money off these media addicts are incapble of being truthful. These poor lost soles include O.J. Simpson, All Hollywood Actors, The entire Lohan family, The entire Sheen family, most Govenors, all elected politicians and every President from 1965 on. I'm sorry my belief offends some - but a hard days work & a cold beer would kill these useless SOBs. No wonder they have to read scripts 0 they are so screwed up in the head they need drugs. But guess what? JIMMY CRACKS CORN and I don't care!

By Jim Beam

Haters, all of you. If you've ever seen Drew on TV or heard him on the radio, you would know how much this man knows and how much he cares. It's his job to understand the addict better than he understands himself, and if he knows that a TV camera keeps someone in rehab, then clearly that's what's best for someone who would otherwise leave treatment. There are a lot of people who prey on these messed up celebrities, but Dr. Drew isn't one of them.

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