Inside The Elite Rehab Facilities For The Stars
This article contains triggers for risky substance use and addiction.
Where do celebrities go when they need to get sober? It's not just Los Angeles — there are rehab facilities in the mountain areas, the desert, and even across the ocean so stars can go get their lives back on track. But sometimes, these super-elite programs cater a little too much to the stars — and that can often lead to a relapse.
"The Harder They Fall: Celebrities Tell Their Real Life Stories of Addiction and Recovery" author Gary Stromberg agrees that high-end facilities that bow down to well-heeled stars aren't always successful, despite the nice amenities. "These people are pampered and babied, and then they seek out this kind of treatment where they are pampered and babied, and the end result is that they relapse often," he told the Hollywood Reporter.
While trying to get sober, celebs can find themselves in the lap of luxury with acupuncturists, yogis, swimming pools, and beachside views. It's definitely not tough love when the detox centers consider you a client and not a patient, so it's sometimes a slippery slope in making sure stars understand they are there to prioritize their health. "You can't force them to recover," One80Center CEO Alex Shohet said to the entertainment publication. "You have to conspire." Find out where some of the top stars retreat when they need help with their addiction — you won't believe how swanky some of these places are.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Passages in Malibu, California focus on 'holistic addiction treatment'
Just one look at the Passages Malibu website and you know this is no ordinary rehab center. Any celeb who is looking for a classic 12-step program will have to go find themselves another place to sober up because their philosophy is all about "the holistic addiction treatment philosophy" where they "focus on healing the underlying conditions" that are causing the addiction.
Just by touring the grounds from the website, you can see the lush gardens, the fully equipped gym, and those cliffside views overlooking the Pacific Ocean — it makes you wonder if the stars are on vacation or here to kick a bad habit. Celebs like Mel Gibson and designer Marc Jacobs have given Passages a try, per The New York Times, and there was even a U.K. reality series called "Rehab" about the center. The show had Sean Kanan from "Karate Kid III," Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown and Peter Sellers' daughter, Victoria Sellers, enter the Passages Malibu program, which has a very Californian approach to treatment.
That doesn't mean everyone in the neighborhood loves having a luxury treatment center around. "The rehabs are overwhelming our neighborhoods," Malibu City Councilman Lou La Monte told The New York Times. "We have safety issues, noise issues, traffic issues. We're going to take our city back." Even after the city council tried to limit rehab centers in Malibu, the celebs are still checking into these swanky digs.
The hefty admission cost at Silver Hill Hospital means only the elite can go
Behind the classic New England architecture of the Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut lies a private psychiatric and addictive disorder clinic that treats the rich and famous. This is the opposite approach to Passages Malibu, which is more of a wellness program. At Silver Hill Hospital, the stars have to get down to work and utilize the "behavioral, medical and skill-building therapies" provided by the facility, per their website.
"Mad Men" star Jon Hamm entered the program in February 2015 and raved about it after his release. "[Rehab] has all these connotations, but it's just an extended period of talking about yourself," Hamm told Mr. Porter. "People go for all sorts of reasons, not all of which are chemically related. But there's something to be said for pulling yourself out of the grind for a period of time and concentrating on recalibrating the system. And it works. It's great."
Hamm isn't the only celebrity to walk through those rustic grounds, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Nick Nolte and Mariah Carey all have been patients of the strict, but cozy rehab, per Daily News. The prices for this facility are also out of this world with a base price starting at $72,800 for a 28-day stay. Wowzers!
Crossroads in Antigua was founded by musician Eric Clapton
Talk about a vacation paradise! Crossroads Antigua, founded by musician Eric Clapton, has an effective quote from the singer on the homepage of the rehab's website: "I could never have made it without the kind of treatment that we offer here." It's a 12-step program designed to take the celeb away from all of their issues, whether it is cocaine, alcohol, opioids, or cannabis — of course, it will cost you (but not as much as you think). A six-week residential program will run about $34,875, but don't forget about the airfare to get to the Caribbean.
The amenities are quite nice, though, from an oceanside swimming pool to outdoor dining amid a tropical breeze and gourmet chefs to feed you delicious island food — it's a top-notch facility. And many people will remember this particular place after Britney Spears checked herself in — and out — after one day at Crossroads Antigua back in 2007. While this program didn't work for her, she eventually headed to Promises Malibu, the now-shuttered former rehab center to the stars that wasn't named Passages (those Malibu treatment centers are confusing!).
Clapton continues to fundraise for the facility after having bankrolled the initial investment himself after auctioning some of his art and guitar collection. "Eric didn't build the center and expect to turn over a profit," Rehab spokesperson Janet Spiegel told Rolling Stone magazine. "He built it as a lifetime commitment, to help others the way he was helped."
A former First Lady's rehab center became renowned for major results
After some of the swanky rehab centers haven't worked, celebrities often turn to the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, California for serious treatment. Keith Urban, Jerry Lee Lewis, Drew Barrymore, Johnny Cash, David Hasselhoff, Ozzy Osbourne, Chevy Chase, Bobby Brown, Liza Minnelli, Stevie Nicks, and Elizabeth Taylor are just some of the long list of names who have received treatment here. Ford was inspired by her journey battling alcoholism and prescription drug abuse at the Long Beach Naval Hospital in California.
"This program is well known throughout the country," she said in a 1978 statement via The Washington Post, "and I am pleased to have the opportunity to attend it. I expect this treatment and fellowship to be a solution for my problems. I embrace it, not only for me, but all the many others who are here to participate." The excellent treatment she received led her to found the Betty Ford Clinic in 1982 and destigmatize addiction around the world.
The beautiful desert campus in Rancho Mirage boasts snow-capped mountain views, animal therapy, a pond, and of course, a pool on site. The program has been so successful in treating celebrities that they've expanded to over 15 locations across the U.S.
For this whopping sum, celebrities head to The Hills
The canyon backdrop is the perfect location for the boho celebrity who needs to get sober, so they head to The Hills Treatment Center, formerly known as Wonderland Center. This woodsy retreat, snuggled into the Laurel Canyon area, boasts that its "unique setting allows our patients to unplug and focus on their recovery while staying close to the city lights and ultimately reintegrating back into society" — meaning you get the best of both worlds.
The four acres give you majestic views of Los Angeles, and you get your own private bedroom and bathroom — no roommates allowed. And because you're in the canyons, there are plenty of hiking trails to enjoy, a pool to take a dip in on hot days, or a cozy lounge to congregate in. A 30-day stay will run a celebrity about $40,000, per The Fix, which sounds like a bargain compared to some of the other pricey rehab locations.
Back when this facility was named Wonderland, the center saw the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Mike Tyson, Christian Slater, Pat O'Brien, and Michael Jackson pass through their doors, according to The New Yorker. Lohan wasn't their best patient because she was arrested for driving under the influence three months after being released. She eventually headed to Malibu's now-closed Promises Treatment Center to attempt to sober up again.
If the beach doesn't work, head to a famous ski resort
Cirque Lodge seems to attract a younger crowd and that's why we've seen Mary-Kate Olsen, Eva Mendes, Lindsay Lohan (again!), and Kristen Dunst all head here for rehab, per E!. It's also quite a scene during the ski season because it's a fun place to work on yourself while hitting the fresh Utah air.
The amenities here are top-notch, too. From a challenging indoor ropes course to stay in shape at their Orem location or the meditation room at the top of a spiral staircase in Sundance, this is luxury at its finest. If a star wants every creature comfort during their stay, they can expect to pay upwards of $77,000 for a 30-day stay, per The Fix. Okay!
Not everyone has loved their stay here, though. Dunst entered Cirque Lodge in February 2008 for depression and found that it wasn't the right place for her. "I know what it's like to lose yourself, to no longer know the difference between right or wrong," she told Black Book. "My friends and family were put in a position where they had to defend me, and it was an awful time." And if there's one thing Cirque Lodge is known for is treating issues beyond addiction — mental health and eating disorders are a top priority for them, as well.
Even U.K. celebs have a fancy rehab center they love to go to
Lily Allen, Kate Moss, Sinead O'Connor, and Amy Winehouse have all been to The Priory, Roehampton, London's oldest private psychiatric hospital. The crisp white building with spires and eaves makes this place look like a fairytale castle, and even though only 30% of their patients are famous or rich, it still has made a name for itself.
According to The Sun, the rehab center costs a little over £5,000 per week (almost $7,000) with the facility, promising, via its website, elite amenities like "landscaped gardens," "peaceful and welcoming living areas, high-quality housekeeping [and] very easy access from the M25, London's major airports and Central London." It may not sound as swanky as some of the Malibu or Utah locations, but there are plenty of the rich and famous who have found the hospital a good place to work on their sobriety.
Former Darkness lead singer Justin Hawkins attested to the work they do thereafter going on a month-long program to battle his addictions. "It was exhausting," he revealed to The Guardian. "People have this unfair view of places like the Priory as a holiday camp for celebrities. But the work they do there is so important. There were people from all walks of life – housewives and builders. We had nothing in common other than drink and drugs but I made friends for life."
The disgraced celebrity heads to the desert in Arizona
The Meadows in Wickenburg, Arizona has been around for over 40 years and is a little more hardcore than some of the other facilities that draw star clients. The rehab center promises to help patients "overcome addiction, heal unresolved emotional trauma, and develop the tools they need to transform their lives," per its website. It has been the temporary home of Tiger Woods, Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey over the years, according to Mic — so definitely a few tabloid headlines have stopped by here.
The Meadows promises unique experiences for the 45-day, $44,000 stay, per The Fix, by offering Tai Chi, neurotherapy in their brain center, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help alleviate the trauma associated with distressing memories — it's a more outside-the-box approach to addiction and depression. The 14-acre campus in the desert setting has a volleyball court, pool, lounge area, and even a gift shop when friends and family members come to visit.
The star wattage has also made the tiny town a tourist destination. "Medical tourism has become a very good, viable, year-round economy for Wickenburg," Julia Brooks, executive director of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce told Mic. "Yes, they're involved in a program for a period of time, but in the morning they get up and they're purchasing their lodging and gas and their groceries, and on weekends they try to explore Arizona." Well, that's an unexpected bonus!
Some celebrities just want spiritual awareness in the middle of wine country
The Hoffman Institute promises a "permanent, lasting change for yourself" in its promotional marketing video. Consider this place a short-term rehab to better yourself in the heart of the Napa Valley. The 45-acres campus is called White Sulfur Springs, where they boast about the "great food," a sound night's sleep, and the opportunity to take care of your mental health.
If a star is looking for this type of rehab, as of this writing, they are out of luck for 2021 because their weeklong seminars are sold out. Celebs will need to head over to the 2022 calendar to lock in their dates and drop their deposit fee for the $4,895 tuition.
Scooter Braun was here right before he split from his wife, Yael Cohen, to help him discover who he really is. Some may call it a mid-life crisis, but it is crucial for stars (or anyone for that matter) to take care of their mental health. He explained on the "Jay Shetty Podcast" why he took the time out for self-care at the Hoffman Institute. "It was just feeling like I wasn't present in my life," he said on the podcast. "And feeling like the people around me who loved me, I felt their hurt."