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Billy Joel Enters Rehab (Again)

Posted: March 16, 2005 4:22 pm
by Jahfin
http://www.nypost.com

NEW YORK (AP) -- Singer Billy Joel has checked into an undisclosed rehabilitation center "for treatment of alcohol abuse," his spokeswoman said.

Joel, 55, entered the clinic after suffering "a recent bout of severe gastrointestinal distress," spokeswoman Claire Mercuri told The New York Post for Wednesday editions.

Less than two years ago, in June 2002, the singer spent about two weeks at Silver Hill Hospital, a substance abuse and psychiatric center in New Canaan, Conn. He later said he entered the hospital because he had been abusing alcohol.

Joel has been involved in several car accidents in the past three years, though none has been linked to alcohol or drug use.

In 2002, shortly before entering Silver Hill, he escaped serious injury in a crash in East Hampton, N.Y.

Two other car accidents followed, including one in 2003 in which he smashed his car into a tree along a highway on far eastern Long Island. Last year, Joel escaped unhurt when he crashed into a house on Long Island.

Joel married 23-year-old Kate Lee on Oct. 2 at his Centre Island, N.Y., mansion. Joel, who was previously married twice, including to supermodel Christie Brinkley, has had more than two dozen Top 10 hits, including his signature song "Piano Man," which was released in 1973 and became a hit the next year.

In September, Joel's star was placed on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Pantages Theatre, where the Tony Award-winning musical based on his songs, "Movin' Out," ended its run on Oct. 31. He is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Posted: March 16, 2005 5:56 pm
by IsleReef
A sad situation, especially for those who admire the man and who probably has the best medical availability................. I say sad because it does not help those who may be fighting an alcohol addiction who do not have the $$$ to get the best treatment available like Billy Joel has........ Times are tough, and simply going to AA and not having health insurance does not make things easier.............. Plus, this is not the first time going into rehab.................. I would of hoped he got things under control after his rescent rehab experience................... It scares me for those (& I) who are trying to lay off the booze and can not afford the treatment he has and screws up................. :-?

Posted: March 16, 2005 11:56 pm
by ejr
IsleReef wrote:A sad situation, especially for those who admire the man and who probably has the best medical availability................. I say sad because it does not help those who may be fighting an alcohol addiction who do not have the $$$ to get the best treatment available like Billy Joel has........ Times are tough, and simply going to AA and not having health insurance does not make things easier.............. Plus, this is not the first time going into rehab.................. I would of hoped he got things under control after his rescent rehab experience................... It scares me for those (& I) who are trying to lay off the booze and can not afford the treatment he has and screws up................. :-?
Sure hope he gets his act together!

By the way, I have a good friend who is 20+ years in recovery, and she stunned me when she told me that only 5% are successful the first time. Seems the Robert Downeys and Billy Joels who are in and out of recovery are far more the norm than we would like to think.

Posted: March 17, 2005 12:43 am
by Lightning Bolt
ejr wrote:
IsleReef wrote:A sad situation, especially for those who admire the man and who probably has the best medical availability................. I say sad because it does not help those who may be fighting an alcohol addiction who do not have the $$$ to get the best treatment available like Billy Joel has........ Times are tough, and simply going to AA and not having health insurance does not make things easier.............. Plus, this is not the first time going into rehab.................. I would of hoped he got things under control after his rescent rehab experience................... It scares me for those (& I) who are trying to lay off the booze and can not afford the treatment he has and screws up................. :-?
Sure hope he gets his act together!
LET'S DRINK TO THAT!! :o :lol: :lol: :lol:

Posted: April 13, 2005 4:21 pm
by Jahfin
Billy Joel Checks Out of Rehab Center

NEW YORK (AP) -- Billy Joel has checked out of a California rehabilitation center a month after entering the facility for treatment of alcohol abuse.

The 55-year-old singer left the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., early Sunday morning, his publicist, Claire Mercuri, said in an email to The Associated Press Tuesday.

Joel entered the clinic in March after suffering what Mercuri then said was "a recent bout of severe gastrointestinal distress." He was to receive "treatment of alcohol abuse," she said.

He is now back at his Long Island home with his wife, Kate Lee.

In June 2002, Joel spent about two weeks at Silver Hill Hospital, a substance abuse and psychiatric center in New Canaan, Conn. He later said he entered the hospital because he had been abusing alcohol.

The Grammy-winning artist, whose hits include "Piano Man," married the 23-year-old Lee last year. It was his third marriage.

Posted: April 13, 2005 4:26 pm
by ph4ever
Dosn't look like he was too serious about cleaning up his act. :-?

Posted: April 13, 2005 4:44 pm
by a1aara
No lie here. That hot young girl who married Billy Joel. She is one of my best friends, 1st cousin. I knew her when she was a kid. I haven't seen her for at least 7 years. Talk to my Buddy all the time. He went to the wedding. Was amazed with Billy Joels home. He met quite a few celebrities that day. Small world.

Posted: April 13, 2005 6:27 pm
by diamonddan
Checks out

Goes Bar-Hopping

Goes back.

Happens all the time.

Posted: April 13, 2005 6:34 pm
by LIPH
Not to sound too harsh, but I can't work up any sympathy for the guy. He has the world by the short hairs and can get the best care and treatment available in the US and he still can't get his s*** together. Self-indulgent a-hole

Posted: April 13, 2005 7:34 pm
by a1aara
LIPH wrote:Not to sound too harsh, but I can't work up any sympathy for the guy. He has the world by the short hairs and can get the best care and treatment available in the US and he still can't get his s*** together. Self-indulgent a-hole
I kind of feel the same way.

Posted: April 13, 2005 7:42 pm
by OceanCityGirl
What p*** me off is the driving. He's had several accidents, one I think with his kids in the car.And it seems they never run a test to see if he'd been drinking.
I have kids who are driving. Every day I drive to work and see a memorial for one of our students who was killed by a dd. Sometimes I see his mother and sister there. Hit by An older wealthy woman driving a new mercedes. Daughter just went to visit a friend in rehab with alot of problems, accident with drunk driver. It's one of the worst offenses that I can think of and I think if you are caught one time you should receive a very painful punishment.