| DUIs, incriminating paparazzi photos, erratic public | | | | rehabilitation-the physical pain of withdrawal or the |
| behavior-Hollywood handlers have found a convenient | | | | emotional agony of facing up to the bad things you've |
| way to excuse the bad habits of their rich and famous | | | | done." |
| clients: Send them to rehab. | | | | After leaving rehab, Mr. Della Valle was faced with |
| Drug and alcohol rehab centers are the new celebrity | | | | rebuilding his entire life. To avoid relapsing once they're |
| "hot spots," not for serious help with overcoming | | | | out on their own, people who complete rehab |
| addictions but to repair a tarnished public image. | | | | programs are often advised to: |
| Stephen Della Valle, author of the new book Rising | | | | · Stay away from high-risk situations |
| Above the Influence and president of the board at | | | | · Avoid people and places that might influence |
| Turning Point rehabilitation center, is disturbed by the | | | | them negatively |
| trend. "Too many celebrities use rehab as a PR tactic," | | | | · Reduce stress |
| he says. "They minimize the consequences of | | | | · Pursue healthy activities such as exercising or |
| substance abuse and make rehab look like a quick and | | | | a hobby |
| easy process." | | | | · Attend a twelve-step recovery meeting |
| Mr. Della Valle is no stranger to overcoming addictions. | | | | every day |
| He spent over twenty years in the grips of drugs and | | | | Because of the many high-profile people who have |
| alcohol, losing his family, his job and his freedom along | | | | entered rehabilitation for drugs or alcohol, it's become |
| the way. He only turned his life around when he fully | | | | more socially acceptable to admit that you have a |
| committed to the recovery process. | | | | problem and seek help for it. Della Valle, however, |
| "Overcoming addiction is not glamorous," he notes. | | | | worries that it's gone too far. "There is nothing cool or |
| "When you see a paparazzi shot of Lindsay Lohan at | | | | admirable about being an addict, no matter how much |
| the Cirque Lodge, she looks like she's spending a day | | | | the media tries to make it look that way," he says. |
| at the spa. You don't see the ugly side of | | | | |