Mel Gibson Seeks Rehab: Actor Enters Unnamed Treatment Center

ABC News ^ | 7/31/06 | Buck Wolf

[gopwinsin04]

July 31, 2006 — Mel Gibson has reportedly sought rehab treatment, three days after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

"He is in a program of recovery at this time," Gibson's spokesman, Alan Neirob, told Star magazine.

The 50-year-old Oscar-winning director and actor was arrested Friday in Los Angeles. Law enforcement officers said they clocked him doing 87 mph in a 45 mph zone. A breath test indicated Gibson's blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. In California a driver is legally intoxicated at 0.08 percent.

While it's not known where Gibson will be treated, Chris Printiss, the co-founder of celebrity treatment center Passages in Malibu, said he's aware of Gibson's plans.

"I understand he has gone to a treatment center," he told the magazine. "The center that I've heard he's checked himself into follows the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. And I don't believe that will help him."

"He needs individual intense therapy by a team of people who know what they are looking for in causes in alcoholism."

Earlier on Monday, Malibu officials were defending the handling of Gibson's arrest amid allegations the department covered up anti-Semitic remarks Gibson reportedly made while he was in police custody.

The allegations of anti-Semitism stem from a leaked arrest report posted on the Web site TMZ.com quoting Gibson as saying, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asking a deputy, "Are you a Jew?"

"This case is going to go to the district attorney," Whitmore told reporters. "In that case file will be his statement, will be our report, will be everything pertinent to his blood-alcohol level. We have done our job. We hope we've done it with not only professionalism and intelligence, but held to the highest standard. of legal and moral imperative."

Whitmore said county prosecutors will decide the next step after a review of the case, but that the Sheriff's Department was "convinced because of our investigation and because of his own self-illuminating statement that he will be convicted of driving under the influence."

[evad]

This is not going to set well with the "Passion" crowd.

[4yearlurker]

This seems to be a trend with the rich and powerful.

[Perdogg]

I think his kooky persona is more of threat to himself than his drinking.

I think he might be manic-depressive.

[Paloma_55]

While (Not in Jail) Do
- Drink
- Drive
- Rehab
End Do

[GSWarrior]

Some of the nicest, gentlest people turn into complete ogres when they indulge too much.

[Dog Gone]

While it's not known where Gibson will be treated, Chris Printiss, the co-founder of celebrity treatment center Passages in Malibu, said he's aware of Gibson's plans.

"I understand he has gone to a treatment center," he told the magazine. "The center that I've heard he's checked himself into follows the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. And I don't believe that will help him."

WAAAA! He didn't come to MY clinic.

[babaloo]

Like he is in a position to judge what Mel's problems are.

[A CA Guy]

What part won't sit well?

That someone thinks 12 steps won't help Mel in that person's opinion?
Considering Mel's view of religion it may or may not work, who can say?

[i_dont_chat]

I'm betting on the Betty Ford Center. Where Elizabeth Taylor went.

[AppyPappy]

Why? Is he supposed to be perfect?

[theFIRMbss]

>Mel Gibson Seeks Rehab: Actor Enters Unnamed Treatment Center

"Mel, meet Mary-Kate. Mary-Kate, Mel. You two get the too-pretty wing . . ."

[andy58-in-nh]

I'm guessing it's not Mt. Sinai.

[misterrob]

No kidding.

AA is the most effective treatment of the spiritual disorder of alcoholism. Given that it requires turning one's life over to the will of a higher power I don't see how it cannot help Mad Mel.

[Azzurri]

Sounds like this Printiss guy is upset that he lost out on a big payday. I'm sure his "intense" therapy by a "team of experts" could've cleared Gibson of his wallet, though I'm not sure about clearing his problem.

While it's not known where Gibson will be treated, Chris Printiss, the co-founder of celebrity treatment center Passages in Malibu, said he's aware of Gibson's plans. "I understand he has gone to a treatment center," he told the magazine. "The center that I've heard he's checked himself into follows the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. And I don't believe that will help him." "He needs individual intense therapy by a team of people who know what they are looking for in causes in alcoholism."

[EagleUSA]

This seems to be a trend with the rich and powerful.
-----
It is really interesting when you look at how some of the better people in Hollywood can handle the wealth and fame, and others go crazy with it....tragic really when it gets that bad.

[SkyPilot]

I agree. It sounds like Mel might have problems beyond alcohol. A person who drinks 6 drinks or so (for a BAC of 0.12) does not go completely out of their mind like that unless there is something else wrong.

[Dog Gone]

BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA

[AmericanMade1776]

I for one , am pulling for Mel Gibson ....and hope he gets well soon.

[familyop]

Here's a link to a copy of the original police report (as it was before parts were alledgedly edited out by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department--apparently from a photocopy of handwritten document).

http://cdn.digitalcity.com/tmz_documents/gibson_wm_docs_072806.pdf
(PDF--adobe acrobat file)

Here's the story it was linked from.

http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/gibsons-anti-semitic-tirade-alleged-cover-up/

TMZ.com is owned by CNN parent company Time Warner.