Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab… Minus the Celebrities

VH1 will roll out a new Dr. Drew-hosted show, but this time those receiving addiction treatment in front of the cameras will be regular people.

What is the VH1 show Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew without the celebrities? Rehab With Dr. Drew. After recent speculation about the future of Celebrity Rehab, which was noticeably absent from the spring and summer schedule, the network announced that Dr. Drew Pinsky will host a new show tentatively titled Rehab With Dr. Drew that focuses on regular people undergoing treatment for addiction.

Those real-life participants will be young adults – the network’s core demographic – but we’ll still get the same voyeuristic view of the detox and treatment process that we witnessed on Celebrity Rehab. The show will begin airing in summer 2012, introducing audiences to Dr. Drew’s first cast of non-celeb 20- and 30-somethings hoping to get clean and gain a fresh start.

In a statement issued by Pinsky, he said, “the stigma and shame associated with drug and alcohol addiction prevents many from getting the help that they need. It is my sincere hope that this show will encourage people who are struggling to seek the help. Treatment works and there is hope and recovery is possible.”

The original show came under fire from some critics for making the treatment process public, with experts weighing in on the effect that could have on those in the program and their future chance at sobriety. In addition, two Celebrity Rehab alums died in 2011 from addiction-related causes. Former Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr died in March of an overdose while actor Jeff Conaway died of an infection after years of health problems that led to and exacerbated his opiate abuse. Of course, the show has also had several celebrity success stories.

Addiction Rehab at The Canyon

If you or someone you love needs help with drug or alcohol addiction, call The Canyon at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about addiction treatment, financing or insurance.