Demi Lovato was in rehab for a very long time, but it looks like Billie Joe Armstrong, of Green Day is going to shatter her record. After an outburst last month at the concert in Vegas, Billie checked himself into rehab. This is not going to be your typical 30 day rehab. Billie is looking at getting out of rehab at the earliest sometime in January. When you go to rehab that long you have some serious substance abuse issues you need to work through. Apparently Billie was at the point where if he did not get help, he was going to end up dead.
I'll pray for your sobriety billy
ReplyDeleteBillie
DeleteYeah, you can say that he has some serious substance abuse problems, or you can say that he knows he needs more than 28 days away from his life. Long stays in rehab can work wonders. Look at how he's been living as a rock star for years - you can't change your behavior in a month, you can't expect to succeed unless you change absolutely everything around you. As a touring musician, if he wants to keep his job, I'd think that'd be impossible.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, man.
Good for him and I hope he is able to do this for himself. 28 days is just not enough but typically that is as long as insurance will pay for it. Fortunately for him, I don't think money will be an issue and he can stay for as long as he needs.
ReplyDeleteI was in rehab for 6 months (opiates/blow/anything at all, really). I feel 90 day treatment is the bare minimum to detox, clear out the mental fog, and learn some new coping mechanisms before heading on out into the real world where old friends and triggers are easy to come by.
ReplyDeleteEveryone's program is a little different.
I wish him the best.
Agree with everyone else - in addition to detox, there's cognitive behavioral therapy needed. As part of my ex's sentencing (ugh), he had to take cognitive behavioral classes and basically learn how to make good decisions. Success in recovery takes a lot of WORK. You can't just sit in rehab and wait. Best wishes to him and his family.
ReplyDeleteI hope his family & friends/band mates are on board with living a totally supportive lifestyle. Recovery only works if your family wants the best for you & leads by example. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGlad that it sounds like he's taking it seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnd have no fear, everyone - I have a killer cold this week, so I can fill in for him on vocals.
Good for you Billie and I wish you all the best. Doesn't he have children? Become sober for yourself and your family.
ReplyDelete@artemis: +1
ReplyDeleteOnly bummer is that they were on tour or about to start a big tour, but he needs to do what he needs to do. I love me some Billy!
ReplyDeleteI'll wait for that tour, Billie. You just do what you've got to do to be able to keep doing what we love you doing.
ReplyDeleteI don't follow their music too closely anymore but to be honest, I really didn't think his condition was that bad. The outburst was a total shock to me. I thought they were all doing okay. Good luck to him.
ReplyDeleteI hate the insinuation that his problems are worse than anyone else's because he has chosen a long-term program. Through my job I have seen countless addicts go to thirty day programs (which unless you have great insurance are more like 21 day programs) and get nothing out of it. People who go to long-term programs seem to really get their lives back in order and have a better prognosis. He should be applauded for committing to a real program and not one that will do nothing to help him.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a year for the brain even to begin to function normally after lengthy drug abuse. We need to come up with some kind of treatment that is outpatient and affordable and yet doesn't just throw people back into their trigger-laden environments. Most people can't afford rock star rehab like this.
ReplyDeleteInsurance will not pay for even 28 days, I know this first hand. The only people who get treated in a facility are either paying out of pocket for the whole stay or get cut off after a few days/weeks (depending on what the problem is). I have seen people cut within three days. Luckily I got what I needed, but many many people will not due to the financial aspects. I'm so passionate about this, i could go on and on. And I'm one of the lucky ones...
ReplyDelete@artemis, I've never been a substance addict but I've always thought that a person addicted to really bad stuff would need to stay in rehab for at least 3-4 months. I mean, it's crazy to think someone could get off heroin or crack in 30 days.
ReplyDeletelove that little dude! get help and get better
ReplyDelete@g.strathmore - FWIW, there's a theory that addiction is addiction is addiction, regardless of what a person is addicted to. Addiction in general is really hard to overcome, because it's not just physical - it's a behavior as well. Some physical withdrawals may be harder for certain things, but a person has to get over the mental hurdles as well.
ReplyDeleteI believe Kate Moss spent around 3 months in rehab at the end of 1998 into 99'. It saved her life so good for Billie.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to him and all the struggling addicts.
ReplyDeleteMuch good luck to him, and anyone else struggling with their addictions.
ReplyDeleteI would love for addicts to be put in treatment facilities for as long as they need. I want people to turn their life around, to be able to be productive, functioning human beings, good parents and not rob/murder people for money for their next high. We need to prioritise our health care. Treating addiction would have such a positive ripple effect throughout the community.
ReplyDeletepharms....probably
ReplyDeleteIt's just a damn shame that money is an issue. This is one of the many reasons I feel so passionate about certain issues, like healthcare.
ReplyDeleteI know of wealthy addicts who were able to afford long term treatment. A couple of people I know had parents who paid for their rehab. And then I knew a couple of addicts who couldn't afford a good facility or even the barest addiction treatments, and sadly, they are no longer with us.
Get well, Billie! It takes courage to admit you have a problem, never mind be willing to work hard and do something about it. I wish he'd take Lilo with him.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Kate Moss is the best example of sobriety...apparently three months isn't always long enough either!
ReplyDelete@artemis +100
ReplyDeleteI went to a 28day treatment. My insurance only covered the first week of detox and the rest was out of pocket. Opiates are a bitch to kick. It's been nine months and I still get paws. My doctors told me it could be up to two years before I felt " normal ". There's bad days and good.. The good outweigh the bad now. If I could have afforded six months , financially and life wise in general, I would've been all over it. I loved treatment. I got to get away from my life as an addict and focus on my life in recovery. I would suggest 90 minimum to anyone that could afford it and is serious about getting better.
@Alicia, agreed, 1@0%
ReplyDeleteGood for him for realizing that there is no quick fix for addiction. And good for him for being honest with himself.
ReplyDeleteAnd to all of you fighting addiction (whether because you're still addicted or recovering...because it is ALWAYS a fight), good luck in your fight.
I think he should be applauded for knowing he needs time to heal. I hope he can conquer those demons.
ReplyDeleteI always thought that the 28-30 day rehab was not enough time. Of course you can stay sober for 28 days in a protected little bubble. But what do you do when you get spit out into the real world? I am rooting for you Billie Joe!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Billie. Wishing him all the best.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Billie Joe--he's always seemed like basically a decent enough guy (hey, he's been married to the same woman for nearly 20 years now, which is pretty impressive in his line of work), and it sounds as if he's really serious about getting his head screwed back on straight. Here's wishing him, and all the posters here who struggle w/sobriety, all the best!
ReplyDeleteor he is just trying to avoid holidays with the in-laws...
ReplyDelete