The hit VH1 reality show Celebrity Rehab kicks off its second season on October 23^rd and brings with it a new batch of famous people from the world of entertainment who have set their careers aside to work with host Dr. Drew Pinsky in an effort to achieve recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

The cast includes the return of former Taxi star Jeff Conway, who has faced a series of setbacks since his last appearance on the show including several back surgeries that have caused him to relapse into his habitual use of pain medications.  Joining him in the rehab program are a wide variety of celebs including:

• Sean Stewart (Sons of Hollywood)
• Amber Smith (model/actress)
• Rodney King
• Nikki McKibbin (American Idol)
• Steven Adler (Guns n Roses)
• Tawny Kitaen (Actress).

Perhaps the most notable appearance of the season will come from actor Gary Busey.  The actor is over a decade removed from his cocaine addiction, but will take the other residents on what is being billed as a “spiritual journey” and share experiences from his own recovery.

Questions about the quality of the show remain, but certainly anything that raises awareness about the availability and effectiveness of quality alcohol and drug rehab programs can’t be all bad.

Celebrity Rehab will run for 8 episodes every Thursday beginning on October 23^rd.

British film actress Helen Mirren is highly-regarded for her ability to portray almost any character with wisdom and grace.  Too bad neither of those characteristics was present when Mirren recently shared her views and personal experiences regarding cocaine.

During a lengthy interview with the British edition of GQ Magazine, Mirren said that “she used to love taking cocaine” and would do so regularly at parties during the 1970’s and1980’s.  A scare with a date rape incident while intoxicated seemingly scared Mirren straight, but she still offers up little rebuttal against the dangers of drug use.

Celebrities, and certainly those in their seventies such as Helen Mirren, do not necessarily need to be role models for young people everywhere, but they should certainly know better than to be so blasé about the things they say during public interview sessions.

Granted, Mirren lost a good deal of her credibility when the interview detoured into talk of Nazi criminals on the lam and how to best prosecute date rape offenders, but by then the damage had already been done.

Cocaine addiction was a serious problem THEN, and it is an even more serious one NOW.  In order to get help, individuals must find an effective drug rehab program to help them get clean and sober.

Mackenzie Phillips, former TV star and daughter of John Phillips of the seminal sixties band The Mama’s and the Papa’s was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on August 28th when drugs were found in her bags during the security screening process.

This is hardly the first time Mackenzie Phillips has been in trouble with drugs or the law.  The one-time star of One Day at a Time has battled drug addiction for many years.    In 1980, she was fired from the CBS hit after a near fatal overdose.  After going through two full years of rehab, producers hired her back in 1982, only to fire her again, once and for all, after a relapse in 1983.

Obviously, she has never quite been able to overcome her problems with heroin and cocaine (despite repeated visits to top California drug rehab centers) as these were the substances found in her luggage by LAX security.

Possession of heroin and cocaine is a felony, and Phillips was later booked and transported to the jail in Van Nuys located in the San Fernando Valley.

Celebrities and non-celebrities alike need to come to terms with their drug addiction, and seek help from the best drug rehab programs at their disposal.  Addiction treatment at these drug rehab facilities helps individuals overcome the psychological and physical components of addiction - all the while giving them the decision-making skills they need to live a drug free life.

Comedian Andy Dick has joined a growing list of celebrities who have recently entered into a televised drug rehab program.  Dick, known for his outlandish antics and frequent reality show appearances, and was recently the focal point of several embarrassing incidents around Los Angeles, will join the cast of Sober Living, a new show that is a quasi-spinoff of the VH1 hit program Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.

Andy Dick has come under fire in recent years for his rumored involvement in the death of Bryn Hartman and her husband, legendary comedian Phil Hartman.  Many people throughout Hollywood believe that is was Dick who gave Ms. Hartman the drugs which set her off a rampage which ended with the shooting death of her husband.  Recently, comedian Jon Levitz even punched out Dick at a comedy club because he was gloating about the incident.

While celebrities prefer the spotlight, everyone with a drug or alcohol addiction is urged to find a quality rehab program in their area.

When a young person who is seemingly at the height of their life dies as a result of drug use it is a true tragedy.  But when that individual is in the public eye, there is hope that some good can come from an otherwise sad situation.

Heath Ledger’s accidental overdose in January from a mixture of sleeping pills, painkillers and other medications might just be the event that takes prescription drug addiction into the mainstream American consciousness once and for all.  On the verge of his biggest star turn, the actor died in New York just before the release of The Dark Knight, where he played the Joker and was being discussed for a potential Oscar nomination.

Several reports have said that accidental overdoses from prescription medication are on the rise in the United States, and can be attributed to several factors:

• More individuals turning to anti-depressants as a coping mechanism for depression
• More young people obtaining prescription medications from their parents’ or friends’ medicine cabinets.
• Increased access to dangerous prescription drugs online, via web-based pharmacies where more often than not, a doctor’s prescription is not even required for purchase.

Unfortunately, many people (especially teenagers and men and women in the 20’s) equate prescription drugs with safety, mistakenly feeling that what they are putting into their bodies are less harmful that heroin, cocaine or other illicit substances.

Hopefully, the combination of better information being delivered through a variety of public service campaigns and the presence of drug rehab programs to help those with the problem get help will lead to fewer and fewer cases like that of Heath Ledger.

Natalie Cole, daughter of singing great Nat King Cole, and a music legend in her own right has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C - a disease that commonly strikes those who have engaged in considerable drug use over long periods of time.

And as Ms. Cole herself admitted in her autobiography, she was addicted to heroin and crack cocaine for many years and saw her health and career suffer as a result.

natalie cole

She is currently receiving care in Los Angeles, but the situation has been complicated by adverse reactions to the anti-viral medicine given to her to treat the Hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C is a serious infectious disease that damages the liver and can cause complete liver failure if not properly treated.   Chronic Hepatitis C (the most deadly form of the virus) is commonly associated with individuals who engage in intravenous drug use or inhaled drug use.

There are no serious symptoms of Hepatitis C in the early stages of the disease.  And in later stages, the individual is likely to experience only flu-like symptoms, nausea and vomiting and extreme fatigue.

To help an individual with a drug addiction prevent Hepatitis C, make sure they get enrolled at an outstanding drug rehab program as soon as possible.

A band with a relatively clean image for the music world has taken a serious hit this week as Barenaked Ladies lead singer Steven Page was arrested for possession of cocaine in Syracuse, New York.

The singer was released on $10,000 bail and is currently awaiting his day in court, however this matter brings up several concerns for the band, as well as the parents of their youngest fans.

While there are many instances where a musician’s fall from grace due to drug addiction does little to affect his or her popularity (and it many cases will seemingly enhance it) this situation is complicated by the way the band has marketed themselves.

Appearing on the soundtracks of many animated films, and touring with Disney recording artists have created a youth-appeal to the band with will be threatened by talk of cocaine and other drugs.

Even more of a concern of course, is the health of Stephen Page.  The rigors of performing and touring lead many into the cycle of drug addiction, and one can only hope that this moment serves as a wake-up call for Mr. Page, and that is able to check into a drug treatment center that will offer him the cocaine rehab needed to get well.

Amy Winehouse health problems likely related to drug use

Anyone who understands the devastating health problems associated with drug use will quickly recognize that the recent reports of singer Amy Winehouse’s irregular heartbeat likely stem from a continual use of cocaine and other drugs.

Winehouse has recently exhibited other key symptoms of drug addiction as well:

She is continuing to use, even in the face of life-threatening health problems and advice from doctors and friends that she seek treatment immediately.  This is one of the chief symptoms of addiction, and is the first sign that an individual has gone from substance abuse to full-on drug dependence.

She is also engaging in the kind of dangerous, destructive behavior exhibited by those lost in a sea of addiction, as she was seen punching a fan at a recent concert.

Amy Winehouse is a genuine talent, and while it is often difficult to feel much sympathy for the woman, it is hard to watch such a wonderful gift get flushed right down the toilet.

Her massive hit “Rehab” might go down in history as one of the most ironic songs in music history.

For anyone who has a drug problem, or knows someone who needs help breaking the cycle of addiction, there is Michael’s House.  Located in Palm Springs, California, Michael’s House offers individuals caring, effective residential drug treatment programs.