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

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.

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

Photo: Demi Lovato announces nominees for the 2010 American Music Awards at a news conference in Los Angeles on Oct. 12, 2010. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Related dispatch from the Ministry of Gossip:

Demi Lovato enters treatment for 'issues,' quits Jonas Brothers tour

 

 

 

Comments

[jasmine]

couldn't have said it any better! let them know. Every teenager goes through this at some point we can't help it. Shoot sometimes i would like to deck people in the face too when they push my buttons. and if my ex strung his girl around me 24/7 well i'd be torn about it too! i pray for you demi to do what ever you need to do to make urself feel better about you! you are a wonderful, beautiful, charismatic, smart funny person inside and out. get well <3 You are still my rolemodel i am still a 100% demi fan you are still amazing in my eyes. i can just see that you are not perfect just like everyone else in the world <3

[Patricia]

Disingenuous much? It was the celebrity gossip press that turned "rehab" into a scandalous, sensational, juicy, high profile four letter word.

You have only your sensation-seeking/scolding selves to blame for her fear of that word now.

[Molly]

Yes this is exactly whats been needed to be said! Demi is the best inspiration to all young girls, and old, and every teen out there that goes through bs that pretty much EVERYONE experiences, but in the spotlight 24/7. At least she's not turning to drugs or alcohol for her problems like most of the world. Demi you'll always be my girl. You have my 100% support and were going to change the world.

[Nikki]

"Disingenuous much? It was the celebrity gossip press that turned "rehab" into a scandalous, sensational, juicy, high profile four letter word.

You have only your sensation-seeking/scolding selves to blame for her fear of that word now."

@Patricia that posted earlier: Damn right girl. The writer here makes it sound like the word started out as a bad thing! I know plenty of people who think well of rehab, or at least they did, until sensational stories of these "stars" we love so much kept getting pumped out by the press. Rehab isn't the problem here, how the media treats it is.

[BobBob]

Sooooo she has a lot of money,
that others would really like to have.
Because they're struggling to buy food,
while she refuses to eat food when she can.