Sherry Gaba LCSW, Psychotherapist, Life & Recovery Coach is featured Celebrity Rehab on VH1. Sherry is the Author of “The Law of Sobriety” which uses the law of attraction to recover from any addiction. Please download your copy of “Eliminate Limiting Beliefs”, from Sherry’s Enrich Your Life Series. Contact Sherry at sherry@sgabatherapy.com for webinars, teleseminars, coaching packages and speaking engagements. www.sgabatherapy.com www.thelawofsobriety.com

Peer Pressure

Jason Davis almost walked out of rehab on a past episode of Celebrity Rehab (technically, he did, which is why he had to be searched and tested when he came back inside). It was really just a twist of fate that his friend waiting outside decided to leave before Jason appeared. If his friend had still been there, I have no doubt Jason would have undone all the work he’s accomplished so far in his journey to sobriety.

All rehab facilities have strict rules about when you may and may not leave, who can visit and when. But most rehab facilities are not locked. The residents can leave at any time. We saw Rachel Uchitel leave for a night, and Leif Garrett almost did. So what keeps people there?

Sometimes it’s the sincere desire to get sober. But when the going gets tough, that desire can fail people. What takes over then is peer pressure. We saw it on Celebrity Rehab when Rachel talked Leif into staying, and when phone calls from Jeremy London and Jason convinced Rachel to return. That’s one reason why it’s so important for clients in rehab to form a group—and why group meetings, such as 12-step meetings, are so useful for maintaining sobriety.

When our strength fails us, we can call on the strength of others. There are always people who are ready to help