MovieChat Forums > Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (2008) Discussion > This show is a joke

This show is a joke

posted 12 years ago by JoMiDe35
15 replies | jump to latest

I really wish VH1 would pull the plug on this show. It makes a mockery of real treatment centers. Let me just list the ways this show differs from actual rehab:

-Men and women are under no circumstances allowed to hang out. The only time they're allowed to be in the same room is visiting day, and when theres a guest speaker.
-No visitors allowed during detox. The only exception would be your sponsor.
-Patients aren't allowed to step outside for a smoke whenever they please. They have designated smoking times.
-A face-to-face confrontation between two patients would cause both of them to be expelled.
-If you run away from the facility, you can't just walk back in as if nothing ever happened.
-Hats aren't allowed, inside or outside.
-Sunglasses aren't allowed to be worn inside. The reason for this is pretty obvious.
-NO CELL PHONE USAGE!

The reason treatment centers apply these rules is to show the addict that life doesn't revolve around them like it use to. No wonder this show has such a low success rate.

[–] Caffeine-Free 12 years ago

Some of these people seem legitimately messed up on drugs/alcohol too and how does being a part of this dramatic, staged show really help a person?

And on the same note, however, if these people are genuine addicts the treatment cannot be completely bogus.

So much of it is definitely staged and the fights/outbursts wouldn't be allowed elsewhere, but I feel like when cameras aren't rolling, there have to be strict rules and probably more personnel that we don't see controlling things. When they are outside smoking or doing whatever, that probably is a designated time and that whole area is probably like a giant set with cameras everywhere that they don't get to lurk around whenever they want.

And maybe they separate the men and women when they aren't filming for the show. When the girls are all done-up with makeup and the guys have their glasses, hats, etc. that is probably during a certain time, too.

I mean, maybe and maybe not. But I would assume anyway.

[–] SeattleGirl09 12 years ago

I've never seen them using their cell phones, but maybe I missed it. I've only seen them using the old fashioned granny phone in the living area.

Out of curiosity - have you been to rehab? I wonder how you know all of these details about how a facility us run. Couldn't different centers have different rules? Maybe VH-1 and Dr. Drew allow the things you listed becuase it makes for a more interesting show. Although editing alone could take care of that...who knows.

[–] hansplans 11 years ago

Who cares, it's just a tv show. Are the people on the show your family? And how are you 100% sure that all rehab centers do it the same way?

[–] JoMiDe35 11 years ago

It's a tv show, but it's real addicts they're messing with. I guess that explains why the show is still on, because morons like you watch it for entertainment. But addiction is far from 'entertainment'.

[–] hansplans 11 years ago

I will repeat myself, it's just a tv show, if it was all about just getting those addicts some help, then they wouldn't need to televise it. Secondly, the addicts are real, but they were not force to sign up to this show. This show is nothing more than entertainment and exploitation. So for you to take it so seriously when the addicts themselves are putting themselves up to be exploited is really a joke. Ciao.

[–] cabal24 11 years ago

You guys are harsh. Ill say the same thing I said when it was celbrities. SO what if its a TV show. TV does not always = exploitation. If treatment is free because its on TVand thats what the patients agree to what the problem?

[–] hansplans 11 years ago

It's not harsh, it's the truth. I think it's harsh that they would want to use these people to fill their bank accounts. These people may be getting real treatment but at the same time they ARE being exploited. It's just another reality tv show, and these addicts are being used.

[–] cabal24 11 years ago

Is your problem with the fact that they are on TV and shouldnt be or because they arent being paid enough to do it? Serious question here because i dont have nearly the same hostility towards this that you do. In fact, I think its something that may be as helpful as anything else.

[–] JoMiDe35 11 years ago

I don't see how a person can get better when they have a director telling them what to say, where to stand, etc. Like another poster said, this show is strictly to fill bank accounts, with very little focus on making people well.

[–] cabal24 11 years ago

If thats what is happening Ill agree they cannot get better. Perhaps I am naive and I wont discount that but I never saw where directors told the patients what to do. Maybe it happens. I did however see them dramatically edit things. Have past patients on teh show complained that there are directors telling them what to do?

Ill agree completely if that is what is happening. But I see a big difference between selective editing and scripting lines for patients.

[–] hodie1 8 years ago

I don't know about you all, but I want a pool and catered food at my rehab!

[–] El_Guapo_Caballo 11 years ago

Why no hats?

[–] iocal 11 years ago

Once 5 people are dead, it is way beyond a bad joke if you ask me.

[–] calsnowskier 11 years ago

So what you are saying is a "normal" addiction therapist never loses a patient? The deaths are horrible, no doubt, but these people were all HIGH risk going in, if not essentially on their death beds already (Jeff Conaway, Mike Starr).

Why not look at people who have been on the show who were in similar states who are still around? Steven Adler? Seth Binzer? Tom Sizemore? Not exactly all success stories, but at least they are all still kicking, which is saying something.

[–] cabal24 11 years ago

I agree with you calsnowskier. People just dont get how destructive this demon is. And if they had intense 1 on 1 sessions its still a super high risk category.