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Home › Entertainment

Flash! From Liz Smith | 06/29/2009 5:20 pm

LIZ SMITH FLASH! Michael Jackson Resisted Rehab

By Liz Smith RSS
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Liz Smith
Out of London comes the news that Michael Jackson’s family was so concerned about his painkiller addiction that they wanted to "forcibly" admit him to a rehab clinic in the weeks before his death. The plan was abandoned only because of Michael’s resistance – he was consumed with the pressure to fulfill his concert commitments. Instead, he had agreed to have Dr. Howard Samuels of the Wonderland rehab facility accompany him to London, to act as a "sober coach." Wonderland has treated stars such as Lindsay Lohan and Mike Tyson. Samuels is popular and controversial; his methods are considered "unconventional." Sadly, it seems as if Michael was attempting to beat back some of his demons. Perhaps his body was just too worn out.
  
British sources also say that Jackson – stressed to the max – collapsed from a morphine overdose a few years ago, during the height of the 2005 child sex charges against him. 

Read more about: Family, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, News, Relationships

41 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

James the Game
It’s ironic that, arguably, the two most popular individual entertainers of all time - Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson - both may’ve died from complications involving prescription drugs.
By James the Game on 06/29/2009 5:33 pm
Andrea Brandon

Big correction, James. More than likely both died of ABUSED prescription medications. And that’s not to say that the doctors who did the prescribing are off the hook.

I fail to have any sympathy for anyone who abuses his body, ESPECIALLY when he’s a parent.

By Andrea Brandon on 06/29/2009 5:50 pm
James the Game
Right. I figured the "abused" part was a given.
By James the Game on 06/29/2009 6:13 pm
DeBúrca obj
He also had Lupus, right? Was stressed, overworking himself, anorexic… a lot going on along with prescription drug use for years.
By DeBúrca obj on 06/29/2009 6:03 pm
James the Game
Right, DeB’. I’m no guru, but from what I’ve read (and I don’t believe everything I read), Lupus weakens the immune system, which may’ve compounded his vitiligo/skin issue. I know there’s such a thing as personal responsibilty, but it just seems like there are too many money-grabbing vultures around these superstars, willing to pump them with all kinds of pills, producing hypochondriacal drug addicts. It seems that Brittney Spears’ father may’ve snatched her away from the vultures a split-second before she bit the dust. Who’s next?!
By James the Game on 06/29/2009 6:18 pm
Patty E
I had the same question, James…who is next?  Anyone amazed at the number of passings this month? of the ‘celebrity’ population?  Although Michael Jackson was only 50….his career spanned the same length of time that a mainstream adult would have had….his body was that of an old man, perhaps….just speculating here…..but I ask, what celestial happening is it, that is ‘coincidently’ holding results such as all these passings of the ‘old days’? 
By Patty E on 06/29/2009 6:43 pm
James the Game
There have been 6 celebrity deaths that I know of in June, but my count may be off. Hard to believe Wednesday will be July first, already. It started with David Carradine, right? Then, Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett, then Michael Jackson, then Billy Mays, then impressionist Fred Travalena. I’d never heard of Mays before.
By James the Game on 06/29/2009 9:44 pm
Amanda C
you mean you’ve never heard of the POWER of OXICLEAN?? ;)
By Amanda C on 06/30/2009 11:08 am
James the Game
Amanda, I have a spray bottle of it that I use. But I never heard or saw any commercials for it. I watch TV with a newspaper in my lap, almost always. When the ads come on, I read.
By James the Game on 06/30/2009 5:31 pm
DeBúrca obj
I think Lupus is an auto immune disorder that attacks the vital organs. Yes, I’m with you, the guy was surrounded by first, a family that didn’t always seem to have his best interests in mind, especially the father, and then the hangers on who attached themselves to him. It’s a sad story altogether. I don’t think the negatives in his life were worth the fame, money or even the talent he had.
By DeBúrca obj on 06/29/2009 7:50 pm
Kelly In Texas
Ok…this is still news? He resisted rehab…ah gee….ya think?
By Kelly In Texas on 07/01/2009 10:09 am
James the Game

I haven’t posted anything on it in a couple of days.

By James the Game on 07/01/2009 10:19 am
Kelly In Texas
That was for Liz…not you handsome ;]
By Kelly In Texas on 07/01/2009 10:48 am
Maggie W
What a mixed bag.  While millions all over the world celebrate him, there will also be other stories ,and there is probably some truth in some of them.  His children’s nanny also says she pumped his stomach on a couple of occasions.  No doubt , as life took its toll, Michael fought his demons more often and more vigorously in the only ways he knew.  At some point, one of his children will have a "tell all" book.   I doubt we will ever know the true measure of the man.
By Maggie W on 06/29/2009 5:34 pm
Laura Ward

The lesson would be to take care of the current celebrities who are in the same situation. Or actually, anybody in a person’s family/office showing the same signs.

By Laura Ward on 06/29/2009 6:00 pm
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