Advertisement

Dear Demi Lovato: ‘Rehab’ is not a four-letter word

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Demi Lovato has some skittish folks around her -- people who may think ‘rehab’ is a four-letter word.

Whoopi Goldberg recklessly used the R-word on ‘The View’ on Tuesday during a discussion about Lovato’s decision to seek treatment for ‘emotional and physical issues.’ The clarification came swiftly and specifically -- in the form of a call from the 18-year-old’s publicist mid-segment -- that the young singer is not in rehab, but rather in an inpatient ‘treatment center.’

Now, we do understand how loaded the word ‘rehab’ can be if you’re, say, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears or Charlie Sheen. But we’d also like to point out that not all rehabilitation includes a 12-step program -- especially when the starlet in question is a Disney darling not known for substance abuse.

Examples: Senior citizen rehabilitation can include things like Wii gaming, fall prevention and continence improvement. Athletes recover from sports injuries through rehab, and some providers of that rehabilitation are actually out and proud about what they offer. We can rehab a finger, a piece of furniture, a relationship -- heck, even rental cars can benefit from a little rehab.

Advertisement

Those who take their nutrition seriously can even experience diet rehab using a 12-grain program, we learned.

Meanwhile, Lovato has in recent years and months premiered a TV movie, gone on an international tour, been estranged from her dad, earned a People’s Choice Award nomination, taken a high-profile role in the hot-button fight against bullying, broken up with teen dream and co-worker Joe Jonas, and been publicly praised by Bill O’Reilly.

Include rumors of an altercation with a tour backup dancer as the cherry on that stress sundae, and it’s not surprising if a little ‘rehabilitation’ is in order. Boy, wonder if it’s at all emotionally and physically stressful having every facet of your image micromanaged in real time. Whatever your issues, Demi, try to rehabilitate yourself in peace -- and hey, what do they call those things you have done at a spa?

Ah yes: treatments.

-- Christie D’Zurilla

Related dispatch from the Ministry of Gossip:

Demi Lovato enters treatment for ‘issues,’ quits Jonas Brothers tour

Advertisement