When I received this email from a recovering addict that I do recovery coaching with, I was in such gratitude.  I was so happy to here that the show not only has helped her in recovery, but it has helped her family, as well.  After all, addiction is a “family disease.”  She shared with me that she would love for me to post it because she wanted to share the value of the show to her and her loved ones.  She says it has served as an educational piece for those who don’t understand the “cunning and baffling: dynamics of the disease of addiction. She is so grateful that because of the show they not only take her disease seriously, but they have been able to acknowledge that it truly is a disease.

I received the second
and third season of Celebrity Rehab in the mail today, a gift from my mom, I am
so excited. I now have every season, plus have the new season on dvr. I totally
love this show, not because it’s a circus of reality television with some
celebrities that I have never heard of. I love this show because it brought the
raw reality of detox and addiction into the homes of millions across the United
States. How else would people get this information? Would people really watch a
rehab show if it was just about Joe Bob and Susie Q, I suppose Intervention
counts as a success, but Intervention doesn’t show the reality of detox and the
beginning of recovery. Celebrity Rehab has a great message to share, and I hope
it does affect people in a positive manner and change their lives.

I decided to start with Season 1 again, because it’s been
awhile since I watched it. I love watching Brigitte Nielson. I find her honest
and open and ready to surrender. She admits that she solved everything in her
life with a bottle. I can relate to this. I spent years finding the bottom of
the bottle every single day, from the time that I woke up until I passed out.
What an existence! I certainly wasn’t living. I couldn’t enjoy the things in
life that I love today, almost 2 years clean. Watching Celebrity Rehab reminds
me of where I was, and where I could have ended up. The rawness of detox is
horrifically real. Seeing individuals in that state, regardless if they have
“celebrity” status comes through loud and clear on the television.

Visuals are a powerful resource and when used correctly can
make a long lasting impression. My sister, mother and I use Celebrity Rehab as
a great conversation starter, I can examine different elements of my using and
discuss them with my sister and mom, while they are seeing a visual of what I
went through. They knew I was a drunk and a junkie, but they didn’t know the
pain that I was in or that I had a disease that could be put in check, if I had
the right tools. It is my hope that there are addicts and enablers and loved
ones of addicts out there that get a chance to see this show. It may appear to
be a drama filled circus, but it does portray the chaotic hell that is
addiction.

Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a Life and Recovery Coach and Psychotherapist.  She wrote the book, “The Law of Sobriety” and is the Psychotherapist and Life Coach on Celebrity Rehab.  Contact Sherry at sherry@sgabatherapy.com for life coaching, psychotherapy, teleseminars, workshops, conferences, and up-coming speaking engagements.  Her office is in Agoura, serving the surrounding areas, Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, and Calabasas.  She also does life and recovery coaching all over the world.