Larry King’s 26 years-younger wife, Shawn Southwick King, 48, has entered rehab for an addicted to painkillers. An “unnamed friend” of the talk show host says his wife is being treated for a dependence on prescription medication that she was using to treat chronic migraines:

TALKMEISTER Larry King’s stunning TV-personality wife, Shawn Southwick King, 48, has gone into rehab for addiction to painkillers. King, 74, has been married to Southwick, his sixth wife, for 10 years and they have two children together. A friend of King’s confirmed to Page Six, “Shawn is in rehab for medication issues related to her chronic migraine problem.” CNN declined to comment.

[From Page Six]

This is Page Six, who knows if this is true or if they’re softballing the news and making it seem minor out of some loyalty to King. They’ve been known to pick on people for no reason, to make shit up, and to play favorites.

I had a friend who was addicted to Oxycontin after he took it for back pain and it can really take hold of you quickly. It’s relatively easy to get it online and on the street and it causes terrible withdrawal symptoms if you quit cold turkey.

First lady candidate Cindy McCain also went to rehab for painkiller abuse back in 1990s. She has successfully beaten her addiction been drug free ever since and in 1999 told the press the story of her desperate times and the uncontrollable urges that led her to steal drugs from a nonprofit agency she ran.

When stories come out about famous people suffering addiction and real human problems it becomes a little easier for others facing similar issues to seek help. Best wishes to Mrs. King for a successful recovery.

Larry King and Shawn Southwick are shown in the header at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party on 2/9/08 and below with their sons Chance, 11, and Cannon, 8, at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards on 12/21/07, thanks to PRPhotos.

It seems like rehab clinics are the new spas. Kirsten Dunst said she went to rehab for depression treatment while Steven Tyler is claiming that he went to rehab this month in order to have peace and quiet while he recovered from foot surgery:

“The doctors told me the pain in my feet could be corrected but it would require a few surgeries over time,” Tyler says in a statement released Thursday. “The ‘foot repair’ pain was intense, greater than I’d anticipated. The months of rehabilitative care and the painful strain of physical therapy were traumatic. I really needed a safe environment to recuperate where I could shut off my phone and get back on my feet. Make no mistake, Aerosmith has no plans to stop rocking. There’s a new album to record, then another tour.”

According to the statement, Tyler was treated at the center after a series of surgeries and post-operative physical therapy “to correct long-time foot injuries resulting from his trademark athletic performance onstage.”

[From People]

According to the website for the Las Encinas hospital where Tyler was treated, they treat addictions and chemical dependency, but it’s of course possible that he decided to go to rehab when he could have just as easily checked into a resort or spa.

It wasn’t his first stint in rehab this year, though. The National Enquirer reports that he sought outpatient treatment in another facility starting in February for an addiction to prescription painkillers, which he was taking to cope with the pain from hepatitis C.

These celebrities should just keep quiet about rehab and go about their business afterwards. They don’t have to give bogus excuses. Maybe they consider it insurance in case they fall off the wagon. Getting drunk at a club is no longer a bigdeal after rehab, since they already gave the excuse that they were there for the great food and seclusion.

In related news, Kirsten Dunst was said to have been “wobbly” after being out at a bar in NY last weekend.

Steven Tyler is shown at a MusiCares benefit on 5/9/08, thanks to WENN.

Kirsten Dunst told an E! News reporter that she made the decision to go to Cirque Lodge rehab in Utah because she was depressed, not because she had any problems with drug or alcohol abuse. She claims she needed to get away and her therapist recommended it to her:

“I didn’t go to Cirque Lodge for alcohol abuse or drug abuse,” Dunst tells me exclusively during a lunch break on All Good Things. “I went there for depression.”

The 26-year-old Hollywood veteran makes a point of explaining that while she consulted doctors along with family and friends about treatment, it was ultimately her decision to make.

“It was a good six months before I decided to go away,” Dunst says. “I was struggling, and I had the opportunity to go somewhere and take care of myself. I was fortunate to have the resources to do it. My friends and family thought it was a good idea, too. But I didn’t know where to go. My doctor recommended Cirque Lodge.”

[From E! Online]

The Cirque Lodge website is all about addiction treatment, and doesn’t mention depression treatment. Their “admission” page lists “Drug Addictions, Alcohol Addictions and other Substance Abuse issues” under what they treat and doesn’t include depression or other psychiatric issues other than addiction.

Dunst wouldn’t be the first celebrity to say she went to rehab for treatment for depression, though. Ashley Judd revealed two years ago that she received treatment for emotional issues at a facility where her sister, Winona, was being treated for a food addiction. Judd said “My behaviors were treated like addictions. And those behaviors were killing me spiritually, the same as someone who is sitting on a corner with a bottle in a brown paper bag.”

If it worked for her that’s great. You just assume there are better ways to treat depression. Maybe Dunst had more traditional depression treatment with the therapists there and was able to stay in a relaxing setting. This might explain why Cirque Lodge officials completely denied that she was there rather than issuing a standard “no comment” - she may have been sequestered from the other patients.

Dunst says she’s speaking out to end the speculation. “There’s been a lot of misrepresentation about what is going on in my life, and it’s been very painful for my friends and family. Everyone feels like they have to defend me. They hear the rumors, and it puts them in a defensive position. Now that I’m feeling stronger, I was prepared to say something.”

Last week we reported on a story from Star Magazine in which Kirsten was said to have fallen off the wagon after she was photographed out at a bar. A new commenter with an IP address from California, Sammy, said:

“You will never know her and never know her reason for ‘rehab’…but I can assure you it’s never been drugs or alcohol despite what you all want to make up and believe.”

Dunst also categorically denies dating her co-star in the film she’s working on, All Good Things, Ryan Gosling.

Kirsten Dunst is shown after a hair appointment on 9/27/07, thanks to WENN.

I think everyone was a bit surprised at Eva Mendes’ recent stint in rehab - she wasn’t a likely candidate for ’substance abuse’. I can’t recall ever seeing pictures of her stumbling from a club or looking like she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Now some sources are saying that Eva wasn’t actually in rehab for the purpose of recovery from addiction, but rather that she was in rehab to research for a role. Acting coach John Kirby, who has not worked with Eva, tells Star magazine that he thinks it is quite likely she entered rehab to prepare for the part.

He tells Star, “It’s not unusual at all for an actor or actress to go to the extreme of checking into rehab to prepare for a character.

“In fact, I would encourage that for my students, because you want to fully immerse yourself in the role.”

San Francisco Chronicle

Oh, that’s why celebrities go into rehab! We’ve all just been too harsh on Lindsay Lohan.

At the time fo Eva’s entry to rehab, her publicist was somewhat cagey about why she was entering the facility.

Her rep tells TMZ “Eva has been working hard for the past year and made a positive decision to take some much-needed time off to proactively attend to some personal issues that, while not critical, she felt deserved some outside professional support. Out of respect for Eva’s privacy, we do not wish to discuss further details.”

TMZ

The role in question is the character of Teresa Mendoza in ‘Queen of the South’, who is a drug runner in Spain. Variety reported that Eva had been added to the cast, on May 6th, and in their plot synopsis gives no indication that Teresa enters rehab in the film. Eva was in rehab in February, before the cast announcement was made, but she could have already accepted the role, or was trying to show her commitment to win the part.

I think we can safely assume that Eva entered rehab for a break, but whether that break was to recover from addiction, to get some personal space, or just to research for a role I guess we can’t be sure. I suspect that when this movie hits cinemas in 2009, we’ll get the whole story during her publicity rounds.

Eva Mendes is shown at the Linked Against Leukemia Gala in NY on 5/7/08, and at the Costume Institute Gala on 5/5/08, thanks to WENN.

Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith, has walked his way into rehab. Pun intended.

Steven Tyler, the charismatic 60-year-old frontman for longtime Boston rockers Aerosmith and father of actress Liv Tyler, has reportedly checked himself into Las Encinas Hospital’s drug rehabilitation clinic in Pasadena, California, according to TMZ.com. At press time, a spokesperson for the band could not be reached for comment.

The treatment center is where noted addiction medicine specialist and radio talk-show host Dr. Drew Pinsky practices. It also served as the stage for Pinsky’s “Celebrity Rehab” reality series.

While the report wasn’t specific, Tyler, who once said, “Four rehabilitation centers for drug abuse later, I’ve been able to take a long, hard look at my behavior,” is said to be receiving treatment for substance abuse.

MTV

Steven was notorious for his drug and alcohol abuse in the 70’s and 80’s, but has been clean since around 1986. He and the guitarist from Aerosmith were called the ‘Toxic Twins’ because of their substance abuse. Wikipedia has no exact date for Steven being clean, but it also says that Steven has checked into rehab this time with his girlfriend, Erin Brady. I can’t find any reference to this elsewhere, but it could be true. I’m not sure if someone is trying to imply that his girlfriend could have been the one who introduced him to the drugs after 20 yeas of being clean.

This is pretty rotten timing for going into a treatment program, as Steven’s daughter Liv Tyler is going through a divorce right now, and doesn’t really need her dad entering rehab to add to her troubles.

Steven publicly revealed two years ago that he had hepatitis C, but says he cleared it from his system.

Picture note by Celebitchy: Steven Tyler is shown at MusiCares on 5/9/08. He’s not looking sober here.

Eva Mendes seems to be getting back on track after her unexpected trip to rehab earlier this year. The actress has even rekindled her romance of six years with hunky filmmaker George Gargurevich. The pair took a break shortly before Eva quietly slipped off to rehab, but now things are back on.

Eva Mendes is getting her relationship with her longtime boyfriend back on track. Eva and filmmaker George Gargurevich, who have been dating for six years, went through a rocky phase when Eva entered rehab at Cirque Lodge in Utah this winter, says an insider.

“The distance was hard on them,” the source tells Star.

But now that she’s out of rehab and living a clean lifestyle, she and George are tighter than ever. They even adopted a Belgian Malinois pup named Hugo.

“George is a rock for Eva. She truly loves him.”

[From Star magazine print version, May 5, 2008]

While I don’t really get why people make such a big deal out of Eva, I am glad to see that she straightened herself out and seems to be reconnecting with people who are positive influences in her life and encourage her sobriety- unlike other certain starlet rehab vets we could name. Eva and George seem like a low key, loving couple. Hopefully they can work it out.

Note by Celebitchy: Just Jared has photos from two years ago of Eva out with her longterm boyfriend George, but I checked Just Jared and PopSugar and couldn’t find any recent photos of the two together. Star has a photo of them that accompanies this story, but it’s unclear if it’s new.

Eva Mendes is shown on 4/21/08 at the Metropolitan Opera, thanks to PRPhotos.

CNN and CNN International reporter Richard Quest has predictably gone into rehab as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. You may remember that Quest was arrested with methamphetamine in his pocket in Central Park last Friday. Equally surprising was that Quest had a rope tied around his genitalia and some sort of sex toy in his boot at the time. Quest was in the park around 3:45 in the morning, well after it’s closed. I’m guessing it was the rope that made police really pay attention – otherwise they probably would have just yelled at him to get out of the park.

As part of his plea deal, the charges against Quest will be dropped, pending successful completion of his treatment.

CNN’s UK-born presenter Richard Quest has embarked on a course of drug rehabilitation following his arrest last Friday in New York. The US news broadcaster today issued a statement confirming that Quest, a familiar face on the network, had entered a “drug rehabilitation facility” on the orders of a judge following his arrest.

“At this time, CNN’s primary concern is for his health and wellbeing. We look forward to Richard returning to CNN International,” the broadcaster said in a statement. A CNN spokesman declined to “speculate” on when Quest would return to the network he joined in 2001. He began his career as a BBC news trainee in 1985 and spent 16 years at the corporation.

During a court arraignment early on Saturday, he agreed to undergo drug counseling and therapy for the next six months in order to avoid a prison sentence. At CNN Quest has made his name as a business reporter and presenter. He also hosts the monthly specials CNN World Business Traveler and fronted the Quest series of shows on diverse subjects.

[From the Guardian]

It will be interesting to see what kind of career awaits Richard Quest at CNN. The network is notoriously intolerant of their employees getting any kind of press for anything outside the direct scope of their jobs. They fired producer Chez Pazienza for running his popular blog Deus Ex Malcontent. What in the world do you think a dildo in the shoe will get Richard Quest?

Singer Sheryl Crow is known for memorable pop songs and and for occasionally talking smack. She was widely quoted as recommending that we all do our part to save the environment by limiting our toilet paper usage to a single square, a quote she says was taken out of context from a campus comedy routine on global warming and wasn’t meant to be taken seriously.

Now she’s joking around about going to rehab and saying that it might revive her career. She supposedly said this during a performance, and while it’s also taken out of context and seems to be meant as a joke, it’s something that she maybe should have kept to herself:

The singer/songwriter, who has battled depression for years, joked about recording a duet with troubled British singer Amy Winehouse during a show at London’s Scala venue on 19 February (08) - before poking fun at stars in rehab.

Crow told fans, “I want to collaborate with Amy because she’s really hot and cool right now. I know one song, Rehab, was very popular, particularly because a lot of young people are in rehab. “In fact, I’m thinking about going. It looks like loads of fun and I know my career will benefit from it.”

[WENN via Hollywood.tv]

Maybe I’m being overly sensitive, but if she said it that way, that’s rude! At least Sheryl is one of those celebrities who says what she feels and doesn’t tiptoe around things she is passionate about, but calling rehab “fun” and talking about how it will help your career is asinine.

It sounds like someone is pissed because they’re sober with a little kid at home and aren’t as successful or famous as another musician who was taped smoking crack. She has a point in that we keep giving chances to drugged-out singers and celebrities, but it’s not like rehab is fun or people enter into the decision to go lightly.

Sheryl Crow’s album, Detours, has been well received critically, but is not a huge commercial success. The CD sold about 92,000 copies in its first week of release. According to Billboard, it is her “lowest sales debut since her 1996 self-titled sophomore album bowed with 80,000.”

Everyone was wondering how Amy Winehouse so suddenly got curvaceous in rehab. An amazingly good bra? Was she actually at a rehab/cosmetic surgery clinic? Was she using the old 12-year-old trick and stuffing tissue paper down her bra? It turns out the answer has more to do with chicken than anything else. Or rather, chicken cutlets. You know those ridiculous breast enhancers that look like raw chicken cutlets? Well goofy as they look, it appears they can do wonders, as they’re responsible for Amy’s newly curvaceous physique. Unfortunately, the reason everyone now knows this is that Amy absentmindedly left her chicken cutlets in the ladies washroom. But really, who amongst us hasn’t?

Amy Winehouse is trying hard to stay sober, but she’s still forgetful. The Grammy-winning songbird showed up at Andrew Buckler’s new London boutique the other night with pal Kelly Osbourne and her new sober companion, Blake Wood, and left a few things in the bathroom. “She left a pair of boob enhancers — like chicken cutlet things to push up your boobs — and some hair extensions in the toilet,” our spy said. Later, Winehouse and Wood went to his apartment with a group of people who “were all getting drunk — except for them.”

[From Page Six]

Unfortunately later the same day Page Six revised their story, reporting that Amy had been spotted out drinking – and they even have a photo of her with a Becks beer. They mentioned again that she’d been camping out at a London hotel with friends until last Friday, when the group went out to a pub in Shoreditch until 2:30 in the morning. However they said, “The 24-year-old clung to a beer, even in the car home” and there is a photo of her holding a Becks. The innocent, naive, wishful part of me is hoping that… um… she’s just holding it for a friend? Once in a while a friend does need you to hold their beer, right? No? This makes me sad. I know that some alcohol rehabilitation programs do teach that you don’t have to completely abstain, but I’m pretty sure most of them agree you have to completely abstain at this point in the process. I cannot believe that her “sober companion” would let her go to a bar. I have no idea how the companion system works, but holy cow. Clearly it didn’t work well in Amy’s case.

Here’s Amy returning to her Camden home flanked by security. Images thanks to Splash.

When Amy Winehouse thanked “My Blake, incarcerated” in her Grammy acceptance speech we thought that she was just tenderly making a reference to the fact that she was separated from her husband during his ongoing stint in jail. It turns out she may have specified that Blake was in jail because there’s another guy named Blake in her life and she wanted to let everyone know which one she was referring to.

Amy was seen out with an American artist named Blake Wood last night. The British rags say that Amy’s friend Kelly Osbourne introduced her to the “new” Blake, and that the guy doesn’t do drugs or even drink alcohol. Amy and the new Blake went to two different parties last night, and they are said to have spent quality time together at the Park Plaza hotel in London where The Daily Mail reports that she’s been staying.

This isn’t the first guy Amy has been linked to during her husband’s time in jail. She went on a Caribbean vacation with an ex boyfriend in early January. Her husband Blake was said to have cut his arm in frustration after he heard that Amy jetted off with her ex.

Blake Fielder Civil handed Amy a pleading note when she visited him in jail after her multiple Grammy win begging her not to leave him. Some stories also have him confessing that he had lied about a previous suicide attempt in jail. In the note Blake says he has disowned his family for speaking publicly against his bride and that he hopes they can make their marriage work. Amy’s father Mitch said that media outlets could publish the note, and that his daughter approved that the contents be made public in order to show that she is committed to staying with her husband and staying off drugs.

It seems like things change quickly for Amy, or maybe she’s just friends with this other guy named Blake. When I first heard this story I thought it was great that she was moving on from her husband, but then I realized that she’s only been in rehab for a little over two weeks and that she’s already going out at night, presumably staying at a hotel and dating someone new. It all seems too much too soon for her, although I hope it sticks and she is able to get out of that codependent relationship with her husband.

Amy has “Blake’s” tattooed over her left breast in a retro design that’s reminiscent of a waitresses name tag over a half-pocket with cherries. At least there isn’t a last name on there.

Amy and Blake Wood are shown out last night, thanks to WENN.