Scrutiny and criticism of Celebrity Rehab has brought up the question of having cameras present during detox and the first weeks in recovery. Should cameras be present during this fragile time? Are the actors just putting on another performance?
When becoming sober the addict is at their most vulnerable and although it may seem like having cameras all over the place is invasive, I cannot think of a better way to document what detox and the beginning of rehab entails. When experiencing detox, not all addicts are going to remember things that they said, things that they are feeling and how exactly they looked. These are all important elements that are needed in order to progress. Addicts need to look at what condition they were in when they entered rehab. This is the only way they can be reminded of where they were in order to form a goal of where they want to be. Having cameras and an audience is the world that these celebrities understand. This is an optimal environment to create accountability.
Accountability is a cornerstone of recovery. When left to their own devices, addicts are not able to be accountable to their own person. Thanks to a Power higher then ourselves, many outlets exist for accountability. These outlets include: a sponsor, a therapist, or a recovery coach (the more the merrier) and for those celebrities on Celebrity Rehab, the audience of people watching the show. It would be difficult to say on camera that you are going to do whatever it takes to be sober and then go out and relapse with a quickness and not have peers feel like you let them down. However, don’t think that a guilt trip is going to keep someone sober. Being accountable isn’t about eliciting a guilt trip from your support system. Guilt won’t keep you sober, but accountability is a tool that will keep you going in a sober direction. This accountability can only be found when it is in the environment that the addict is accustomed to.
Simply put, having the cameras rolling for the celebrities during the fight for their life is the world with which they are familiar. Recovery found within this context is providing forward motion for the addict, thus producing possible and positive long-term results.
Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Life and Recovery Coach on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew Pinsky on VH1 and in private practice. She does recovery coaching for people all over the world. She is also the author of "The Law of Sobriety" which is available in all bookstores, Amazon or on Sherry's web site. www.thelawofsobriety.com. She has also produced a seven lesson instant down loadable audio on How to Attract Positive Energy for a Purposeful Recovery and tool on How to Eliminate Your Addictions.
Get Sherry's audio here. http://thelawofsobriety.com/how-to-attract-positive-energy/
Sherry Gaba, LCSW Life Coach and Published Author
(818) 756-3338
www.sgabatherapy.com
sherry@sgabatherapy.com
The Law of Sobriety by Sherry Gaba, LCSW
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