George Carlin enters rehab

[gldstwmn]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/book...lin/index.html

CNN) -- Entertainer George Carlin said Monday he is going into rehab because he has an alcohol and drug problem.

In a statement, Carlin, 67, said, "I'm going into rehab because I use too much wine and Vicodin. No one told me I needed this; I recognized the problem and took the step myself.

"My levels of use are nowhere near the worst you hear about these days; I could easily have continued functioning at a good level ... for awhile. But my use would have progressed, I would have been in deeper trouble, and I didn't want to tolerate that. I've never been in rehab before and I know it isn't easy, but I'm highly motivated, and will do what ever's needed.

"When I get out, I will take a little time for myself before resuming my schedule," the comedian added.

Carlin's current book, "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?", is currently on best-seller lists.

Vicodin is a pain killer that is potentially habit forming.

Carlin's statement did not say where he go into rehab or when. According to Reuters, Carlin's spokesman, Jeff Abraham, said the comedian went into treatment Monday.

Three weeks ago, he ended a four-year run at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a "dark set," in the words of the New York Post's "Page Six" column, and told his audience, "People who go to Las Vegas, you've got to question their [bleeping] intellect," according to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

He is scheduled to appear in a show at Las Vegas' Stardust Hotel in February.

[gldstwmn]

I've got to hand it to Carlin, cleaning up at 67 takes some guts. I wish him well.

[ryan8472]

I can only imagine the stories he will tell after he gets out

I wish him well too.

[SuzeQuze]

I did an internship at a rehab and one of the counselors LOVED Carlin and I often wondered what his story was since this guy seemed so similar. He was in recovery which is often the case with counselors for substance abuse. It is a hard job and a really tough crowd. Though I'm sure Carlin's rehab will look a bit different than the one I worked at. I also wish him the best, this really does take a lot of courage, it would be so much easier to just continue dulling the pain since it works, for a while anyway.

[amber]

Wow! Carlin? amazing. he's been so "not rehab" his whole career. I do have to say, though, i share his love of wine and vicoden...

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by amber

Wow! Carlin? amazing. he's been so "not rehab" his whole career. I do have to say, though, i share his love of wine and vicoden...

No crap, I love wine. Painkillers I try to avoid but when I had to take them for my back they sure did take care of "the worries". But I know you need more and more to get the same effect if you keep taking them so I really try not to do it unless I have to.

[amber]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

No crap, I love wine. Painkillers I try to avoid but when I had to take them for my back they sure did take care of "the worries". But I know you need more and more to get the same effect if you keep taking them so I really try not to do it unless I have to.

right, they're best taken at intervals. I hadn't had any in months, but right now, I'm on some super hydrocodone! But yes, they're addictive, too, so it's best not to go overboard!

[sara1998]

Jason and I saw Carlin 3rd row a few years back... he is funnier then anything! I just love him! Good luck to you George.