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 AladdinSane

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

This Drew person is on a star ego trip...
There's something about this "professional" that doesn't flow, speaking for myself.
He reeks of insincerity.
I don't care for him.
If he was really true he would do his thing privately, without all the grandstanding and bs.
Later for him...
Peace!

By benji

Vote down Vote up Report this

I got news for him. Most of these american starlets are screwed up and need a lifetime to get well, if ever. There are not enough month in the year to cure this nation and it will turn into a century soon.

By DMMZ

Anyone who has worked hand in hand with Adam Corolla doesn't get much respect from me.

By Jeanneweanne

" Alas, if only there was a term for being addicted to work! If there was, perhaps the doc-of-all trades could treat it."

Ummm... how about 'work-aholic' ?

By coachingbaseball

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Dr. Drew many many things you do are very wrong for the victims on your show. You also put us 13 million plus in their group. Pain management is real and can be done correctly but you have no idea or clue. I am writting a book about my 12 years of chronic pain from multi spinal cord injuries plus the failed surgeries. You don't even address it nor have the knowledge and most fail in this area so you are not alone. P.A.I.N. Patient Awarness In Narcotics. Yes I made that up. Because I do know.

By Bob

Hey BJ, what are your qualifications.. why dont you do us all a favor and go find one of your boyfriends and get your BJ

By rod

How about a stint on the Dr. Phil show for him?

By Robyn Sun

This bastard oughtta be shot!

By Virginia

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

If a show like this could help one person face the problem of drugs and/or alcohol and get help to save their butt, good for him! Addiction is a killer disease. Yes, it kills DEAD. No return for the next sniff, joint or drink. Help is available to anyone who wants it. AND, Dr. Drew is correct on not bailing a kid out of joil for drinking or drugs. AND, Dr. Drew is correct in calling the police if they get behind the wheel of the car!
You rock Doc!

By Patrice022697

I don't know one person who hasn't tried pot at least one time. I feel very sorry for any child of this Dr. Drew, overreaction is the word I would use, hee acually would get a team together just because he may find pot in his kids room?? How lame is that, my parents were pretty strick when we were young, but when they found out I smoked pot they knew it was normal for kids to try it..My father tried to ground me, but I had a window I jumped out of..Hell it was New Years Eve.....
PHN

Thursday 09 December

By tim

Straight up exploitation...he hides behind a professional demeanor.

By Dean

Dr.Drew,just another phony.

By robhllnd2

The Drews, the Phils, the tele evangelists - put them all in a bag & drop them in the deep blue sea!

By Barbs

I WHOLEHEARTLY agree w/ the rules Dr. Drew gave his children! I, too, worked in the field of addiction and gave my children the same warning. I was a single parent of four. As a result of my strong warning I have NO addicts, NO illegetimate grandbabies. Parents need to be parents.

By Mark

I think that Dr. Drew is doing the best he can to help these people, who usually make it more difficult than fun for him. How people can insult him at all is ridiculous. Many of these troubled celebrities put their trust in him - and nobody else - for good reason. He gets sought after way more often than he recruits, and I have seen nothing during any interviews or shows that would indicate that he is doing this for the wrong reasons - or has any obsessions or addictions either. Some people would insult anyone just to feel better about themselves, and that's pretty sad.

By JOM

If the use of a narcotic makes u feel "normal." Then you are an addict, pure and simple. And to think that "methadone" saved your life is a total cop-out, and you know it PHN. Methadone keeps your opiate receptors happy and thats it. Your problem is facing life clean. Twelve step works but YOU have to put the effort in. That is "if" you want to be clean.

And don't knock Dr. Drew. FOr whatever reason, he is helping someone somewhere. That he gets paid more than you and me, well that's life.

By Stanley

Dr. Drew is a fraud and a leech who lives off the troubles of other people. The guy couldn't really help anyone except to empty their pockets with his moronic lies. I'd like to see Dr. Drew tackle Sarah Palin's insanity, as Palin doesn't know the truth of anything except how to lie, lie, lie.

By will

LEAVE HER ALONE.

By gw

Dr. Drew is great
I find it interesting that those of you with your poor grammar are so ready to speak ill of him
He does so much for the poor souls that don't have it together
I believe he is one we are fortunate to have, in our world

By Tom

As a person, Dr. Drew is entitled to his opinion. That is part of "practicing medicine".You people that don't care for his opinion are also entitled to your opinions. No one is right, no one is wrong. Sure, he probably does enjoy his successes in life but I think he also sincerely cares about people with substance abuse issues.

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