He seemed to have a ball, and though the reports seem to be consistent that he wasn’t drinking (picking up girls, is another matter), Gerard Butler’s appearance at the three-day music festival Coachella, did raise some eyebrows… and some concerns surrounding how long his sobriety can last given the tempations around him.
Recently, we did an article about what treatment facilities are really like, and we consulted Richard Taite, President and CEO of Cliffside Malibu, who has some good advice for the recently- rehabbed actor… Oh, and we also asked about Lindsay Lohan while we were at it.
Here’s our interview with Richard…
Celebzter: As soon as Gerard Butler left rehab he was back on the red carpet for the Vanity Fair Oscar’s party…it was literally just days out of getting out….is this a good move for him to be making? Is it too quick?
Richard: You can do anything you want to, as long as you have a good support system and a strong foundation. If he had a sober companion with him, whom he respected, and who could hold him accountable, then he could go to these things as long as his recovery is strong. But, if it’s not strong, then he shouldn’t be going to these slippery places.
Celebzter: This weekend he also was at Coachella, and even though he is said to be clean, isn’t he opening himself up to too many temptations?
Richard: Again, having a support system like a sober coach that you respect, it is very possible for him to attend events like this and be successful in his recovery. However, he must also continue to do work on himself, and continue to see a therapist to create long-lasting change.
Celebzter: Is he making all the wrong moves for a recovering addict?
Richard: Gerard should be going to therapy 3 times a week for 3 or 4 months, then he can pare it down to 2 times a week, so that he can continue to do the good work he learned in the treatment center. If he’s not doing that then chances are he won’t be successful. That’s not my rule, that’s just the rule.
Celebzter: What is the biggest danger he faces?
Richard: Strong recovery is rooted in the type of intensive therapy someone has done. So, if you worked through the Stages of Change then your recovery is going to be effortless and you will only need a sober companion for a relatively short period of time. However, if you didn’t do the necessary intensive therapeutic work in order to create long-lasting change, then of course you are going to have problems. So the dangers he faces is if he didn’t build a strong foundation during treatment, and if he doesn’t continue to get the help and have the support that he needs.
Celebzter: Is he perhaps in denial about his problems?
Richard: If he completed a strong, effective treatment program, put in the time and work to progress through the Stages of Change, and if he got to the core of his issues, then denial should not be something he’s facing right now.
Celebzter: What advice would you give to him?
Richard: The recovery process doesn’t stop the minute you leave rehab. You must continue to get therapy frequently and work on yourself so that the time you spent in rehab will continue to be that strong foundation that you can build upon.
Celebzter: And while we are on the subject of recovering addicts, Lindsay Lohan was also at Coachella, is this a dangerous move for her also?
Richard: It’s hard to comment on Lindsay because it’s not clear as to whether or not she is sober. However, the same rule still applies to Lindsey. If she is sober, if she is continuing to get therapy, if she is continuing to work on herself, and if she has a strong support system and sober companion she trusts and respects, then an event like this is possible for her to attend. If she doesn’t have these things then she should not be attending.
What do are your thoughts on the matter
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