I would say they are experiencing the well documented aftereffects of trauma, and in the case of those traumatized in childhood, of being stuck in various developmental stages.

Dr. Drew’s problem, besides his exploiting people for his own purposes on Celebrity Rehab, is that he puts forward 12 step ideas as though they are the only way. The truth is that many people can benefit from evidence based treatments, various therapies, and to lump everyone together and assume that everyone needs the same thing is a mistake.

Although he does seem to care about people, and, aside from enjoying money and fame from what he does, may genuinely want to help, nonetheless you cannot ethically treat people if you have an alternative motive. Such as requiring drama in your TV show. It is deliberately set up for conflict and emotional outbursts etc.

I doubt this is the situation in good rehabs, I hope it isn’t at least.

He makes diagnosis and pronouncements about people he has never interviewed nor treated, which is unethical. And the lack of confidentiality in itself interferes with what is best for the clients.

I think Dr. Drew is a mixed bag, like anyone else. But some of the things he says and does do harm people. Some help no doubt, but many do continue to perpetrate myths and all-or-nothing thinking regarding available treatment for those with addictions.

Most people who have quit drugs have quit WITHOUT the use of a spiritual program. Dr. Drew only cares about $$$.

I believe that for Lange, as with many drug addicts, heroin usage was a symptom of mental health issues – not the cause of them. Lange first attempted suicide in 1995. He first used heroin in 2005.