Dina Lohan: I Knew About Lindsay's Drug Problems Early On

By John Mitchell Posted Feb 18th 2011 01:21PM

Dina Lohan sat down with '20/20' reporter Chris Cuomo for an in-depth interview about her daughter Lindsay Lohan's struggles with addiction and the felony theft charges the actress is facing in California. Dina reveals to Cuomo that she has been aware of her daughter's troubles for some time. "I knew early on, I just didn't tell anyone about it," Dina says. "It was a personal situation."

"I saw it visually, what was happening. You know, I'm around my children. I was around Lindsay a lot, and I saw what was happening," she tells Cuomo, noting that Lindsay's troubles began almost immediately after the then-18-year-old movie star's move from her native Long Island, New York, to Los Angeles in 2004.

"She's a young girl struggling. You know, she's not perfect. She's learning as she goes, but she's learning under a microscope, so I can't even imagine how that is," Dina says. "I believe [that Lindsay doesn't drink anymore], and I think it's gonna be a lifelong struggle with addiction. But I think she's gonna be OK."

Dina says she believes Lindsay's most recent stint in rehab, her fifth in less than four years, was successful. "I really think she was at a maturation level that she now understands what she needs to get from it. She grasps that," she says.

In a separate interview this morning on 'Good Morning America,' Dina praised Lindsay's experience at the Betty Ford Center. After violating her probation in a 2007 DUI case, a judge ordered the actress to jail followed by a lengthy stay at Betty Ford. Lindsay was released from the center in January but soon after found herself in trouble again, this time for allegedly stealing a necklace from a Los Angeles jeweler.

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"Betty Ford was life changing for all of us. I mean, I've put her in a couple of rehabs over the years, and, you know, it's not about the rehab, it's about where she is personally in her sobriety and her growth. She's matured considerably," Dina told George Stephanopoulos.

She also addressed Charlie Sheen's advice for her daughter: "I don't know why they compare the two [Sheen and Lindsay Lohan] ... Lindsay took his advice, and she gave him advice as well." When Stephanopoulos asked what Lindsay's advice for Sheen was, Dina stumbled over her words before responding, "Just get help, you know."

According to Dina, the family is taking the felony theft charges against Lindsay "very seriously." "I'm not convinced about anything because the system is the system. I'm a firm believer in the system, but anything can happen, especially in that town [Hollywood]."

Whether or not Lindsay knew her mother was going on 'Good Morning America' to talk about her is another matter. This morning, Samantha Ronson, Lindsay's ex-girlfriend, tweeted, "Watching Grey's Anatomy -- my fav show -- @lindsaylohan sleeping next 2 me -- should I wake her up to let her know her mom is going on GMA? #why?"

If the 24-year-old actress was unaware of her mother's appearance on 'GMA,' it certainly wouldn't be the first time one of her parents ran to the media to discuss her without her knowledge or consent. The relationship between Lindsay and her father, Michael Lohan, has long been tumultuous because of his penchant for discussing his relationship with her in the press.

Following her stay at Betty Ford, it appeared the pair were attempting to reconcile; however, just this week, Michael admitted to booking Lindsay on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' -- reportedly without the 'Mean Girls' star's blessing.

According to a 'Late Show' statement, "Someone purporting to be a friend of Lindsay's reached out to the show yesterday, allegedly on her behalf, and booked her to appear. Clearly, this person was not authorized to make commitments on her behalf. We wish Lindsay well, and look forward to having her on the show in the future."

We now know that someone was Michael Lohan.

Tags: dina lohan, lindsay lohan, michael lohan

Comments

(145)

Friday 18 February

By irish

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This woman and her useless husband are the poorest excuses for parents I've heard of. Don't understand why DFS hasn't gotten involved considering they still have 2 minor kids. Heaven help them if they follow big sis's lead.

By Lu

Totally agree. We've got to quit giving them air time!!!

By stu

the DEALER always knows.

By saultydog42

They wont post what i called this beotch, She is worse than her child ever was or is, I wish to hell these stars they call themselves would just go away, lets get some good news going for a change.

By Jim

The media outlets(including 20/20 and GMA) who are giving this blood sucker air time need to be boycotted.

By Inkling

Since Lindsay is no longer their "Cash Cow" they have to think of other ways to make money. I guess trying to "sell off" her other three children is not working out too well for Dina or Michael. Dina too her daughter into nightclubs where adults haung out when the girl was only 15. Is it any wonder that she truned out like she did???

By BTDT

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Self-absorbed skank. No wonder Lindsay's a mess.

By Mother Superior

She is an idiot! If she KNEW early on, she should have stepped up and nailed her then, helped her daughter but instead, she knew if she sidelined her daugter to get her healthy, she would lose MONEY! THat is all this harpy shrew cares about. She disgusts me and should not be called a Mother, she is a pimp and her children are what she sells.

By pamliska

I agree with you whole-heartedly!

By KAREN

I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!! WHAT A POOR EXCUSE FOR A MOTHER.

You have got to be kidding me ! It looks as if the mom needs to grow up as well ! No wonder Lindsey stays in so much trouble look how she was taught, I'm young and it's OK to screw up! Give me a freaking break !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By lisa green

well said, her mom needs to be In jail for child neglect. she allowed lindsay to continue her drug fueled behavior & Is setting up the next daughter for the same road her older sisters going down

By Hi Mary

I totally agree. Who could look at that tortured young face and make her keep working. If you look at her brightness in the remake of The Parent Trap when she was a young teen, she had such talent. The mom dresses like a spoiled child and should be prevented from being in any supervisory capacity for any child, for life. She is quie sick and the Dad is not much better.

By anna

why do people feel the need to TWEET everything they do....I mean who gives a crap...shut up your not important!!! Also stop airing your dirty laundry there too!!! Sick of all of you stars!!!

By Sallly G

It seems like the ex is just trying to (a) make trouble for Lindsay, (b) in some weird way get back into Lindsay’s life, or (c) keep hanging onto whatever celebrity status.
In any case, my heart goes out to Lindsay, as it seems she has absolutely nobody to put her needs ahead of his or her own. Really, really sad. Hard to imagine how one could begin to take responsibility for herself with people like these as the theoretical nearest and dearest. Glad I was never in her shoes.

By Dan

YES!!!! WELL SAID

By gbrt548

LiLo giving Charlie Sheen re rehab! Speak of the pot calling the kettle black!!!!

By Janet

Ask again does Lohan get paid for this?

By gettygas2

WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By remjack

She didn't tell anyone...Mother of the year. Let's face it, Lindsey really has no career other than being a tabloid star for going to rehab (numerous times) & being accused of stealing. This will end with Lindsey's death, or her killing someone else while drunk or high...Sad that she had (or has) no parental supervision,once again, Mother of the year! Oh, & dad's no prize either!

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