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Celebrity Rehab Updates

Eva Mendes: The actress checked into Cirque Lodge, a rehab facility in Utah back in February to tackle some substance abuse problems and has been relatively quiet about the time. She told a reporter: "It's a part of my life that I don't feel like I need to explain.It's as basic as this, as long as my mom still looks at me with that little sparkle, I'm fine."
Jesse Metcalfe: The "Desperate Housewives" heartthrob spent time in rehab last year for "alcohol issues" and just this month fell from a second story balcony in Monaco and broke his leg. Metcalfe's rep says he only had a glass of champagne and alcohol wasn't a factor.
Mary Kate Olsen: The miniature twin has fluctuated between itty and itty bitty in the public hour and finally checked herself into an eating disorder center after months of speculation and denials about anorexia. "Eating disorders are a special challenge since you can easily live without drugs and alcohol but you can't go without food," says Daniel Gatlin, Executive Director of Renaissance Malibu. "It requires great commitment and support. Many times eating disorder are more of a 'secret' addiction and others may not know about it until they start to notice physical changes."
Kirsten Dunst: The actress did a stint in Utah's Cirque Lodge, like Lindsay Lohan and Eva Mendes, in February 2008. She's been seen kicking back with a drink or two since.
Amy Winehouse: The troubled English singer hasn't actively tried to rehabilitate and appears to prefer disconnecting. She's rumored to have emphysema and just checked into the hospital with a chest infection. "To change is so painful, that the choice can be to continue anesthetizing," says Daniel Gatlin, Executive Director of Renaissance Malibu. "If there is so much pain but they aren't going to do it by suicide, they will do it slowly by not having to feel."
The cast of Celebrity Rehab: Pop culture icons Tawny Kitaen, Jeff Conway, Steven Adler, Rodney King, Nikki McKibbin, Amber Smith, Sean Stewart and Gary Busey are all struggling with various addictions publically on the VH1 show. "In general, media therapy is about ratings and creating a visually and emotionally compelling story for people to watch," says Daniel Gatlin, Executive Director of Renaissance Malibu. "An important part of therapy is the individual defining what their strengths are and connecting with them. Even though they all agreed to it, it's packaging of human experiences that are very private for public consumption. It doesn't benefit the individuals involved. Human pain and suffering becomes entertainment. It's like beheading and burning witches of the 15th century."
David Duchovny: The "Californication" star went public with his sex addiction this year and later separated from wife Tea Leoni. "Alcohol and drugs you can stay away from; body and sexual responses you can't," says Daniel Gatlin, Executive Director of Renaissance Malibu. "Sex addiction takes time and a lot of work to recover from because it's a part of your identity. Addiction isn't just a substance, it can be a behavior when engaged in repeatedly that you feel unable to stop and destroys your life."
Lindsay Lohan: The starlet did her time at Utah�s Cirque Lodge and appears to be on the narrow, if not the straight, as she's dating DJ Samantha Ronson. "We move toward pleasure and try to avoid pain. If you find someone you feel safe with regardless of sexuality, you will move toward feeling safe and pleasure," Daniel Gatlin, Executive Director of Renaissance Malibu. "She is trying to figure out what makes the most sense in her life in her recovery. No one needs to label her."
Robert Downey Jr: The actor has been in and out of rehab for years and even did some serious jail time before cleaning up. This year is his most successful ever, following the success of Iron Man and Tropic Thunder. Next up is The Soloist with Jamie Foxx and Sherlock Holmes with Guy Ritchie. Clean and sober can work wonders!
Nicole Richie: The bad-girl reality star turned low-key mother and girlfriend to rocker Joel Madden has mellowed with motherhood. "People try to make their lives makes sense in recovery," says Daniel Gatlin, Executive Director of Renaissance Malibu. "Sometimes it will be positive and helpful and sometime it will be destructive. Sometimes we bounce back and are more in tune with who we are."