The Daily Gamecock

Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Viewpoints

Meredith Fourth-year broadcast

Throughout this past summer, there seemed to be a running theme: rehab. Celebrities went to rehab. The South Carolina state treasurer went to rehab. Every time you turned on the TV, someone else was going to rehab.

Yet, did it really seem like they changed?

It seems like rehab just has become the end-all be-all apology.

"Oh, I'm sorry I was driving drunk and could have killed someone, I'll go to rehab." "I'm sorry I am a state appointed official who controlled state money, I'll go to rehab and avoid a court date."

I'm sorry, but rehab isn't always enough.

Rehab from alcoholism or drug abuse has helped millions. I'm not denying this. It can be a great program for those people who really want to turn their lives around. But it shouldn't be considered a Band-Aid.

Just because you went to rehab and "turned your life around" doesn't mean that you shouldn't still pay for the consequences of your actions. For some reason, I just don't think that spending some time in a posh Arizona or California rehab center really atones for your actions.

People shouldn't be excused from jail time or monetary fines just because they went to rehab, especially when you see these celebrities in and out of rehab facilities every other week.

Rehabilitation from an addiction is difficult. But it's hard to believe that these people truly want to change when they're going out to clubs the day after they are released.

One of the first rules in rehab is breaking the habits that support the addiction. An alcoholic shouldn't be in a bar if they're trying to stop drinking. It just doesn't make sense.

Now I will never discourage someone from getting help. If you've got an addiction, get help. But the rehabilitation process is being made a mockery of by the celebrities and politicians who use it as a way to avoid jail.

Man up. You made a mistake. You broke the law. Now pay the price. They shouldn't be allowed to hide away in rehab and act like they should now be excused from the consequences. They shouldn't be allowed to make up some "medical excuse" to get out of jail.

Us "normal human beings" without the political ties and celebrity status would be put in jail so fast our heads would spin. Let the spots in rehab be taken up by people who really need it.

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