Welcome to Club Rehab

They tried to make me go rehab...I said...No...No...No

Amy Winehouse joins a long list of entertainers and even politicians to take some time off recently and enjoy a vacation in her local rehabilitation facility. Addiction is no laughing matter. Still I have to wonder are these individuals truly serious about staying clean and seeking help for any mental health issues they may have, or do they view rehab as an alternative to jail time? I look at Britney Spears, and her life has spiraled out of control in the last five years. A woman who once stood at the top of the pop charts, classified as the second coming of Madonna, and a multi - millionaire before she could even drink is now on her second stint in the psych ward at UCLA Medical Center. Her children have been subjected to her insane antics and the media delivers a play by play of all her activities. Every gossip site dedicates the majority of their daily posts to Britney happenings. Now, sandwiched in between those stories are more tales of celebrities joining the rehab elite daily. Eva Mendes is now treating her substance abuse issues. It now seems like the in thing to go to rehab. VH1 has even created a reality tv show dedicated to D List celebrities in rehab. Each week we get a glimpse of their recovery period. VH1 even managed to find the long lost little sister from Family Matters. Dr. Drew talks to each celebrity individually and in a group setting. Trying to determine which past events in their lives are now contributing to their addictive behaviors in the present. Many of them can point out specific instances, physical or sexual abuse, party days of youth that got out of hand, and the usual list of excuses that stem from parental issues. None of these individuals accepted responsibility for their own actions. I know the sins of our parents and the issues of our past have a life long effect on us. Yet, it's our decision what we do with our lives. 99% of people in this world have had terrible experiences that they could use as a crutch to separate addictive and negative behavior. So why can celebrities blame all their issues on someone else and not have to accept responsibility for what they create in their lives. Its not Britney's fault that she's on drugs or suffering psychotic and manic episodes. It's her parents. It's her genes. Their working against her. Amy Winehouse didn't pick up that crack pipe. Her past hurt and pain made her do it. That's the only she could survive. It's time to grow up and be accountable. If the normal people of this world have to move past the hurt and pain of the past, so does everyone else.