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Inside Michael Barrymore's rehab hell: Star reviews the places he's been treated - including a 'one star' facility and the place he 'just hung about with damaged celebrities' - as he's praised by fans for his honesty Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected] By Kirsten Murray and Rebecca Lawrence For Mailonline Published: 01:32 GMT, 1 November 2024 | Updated: 01:32 GMT, 1 November 2024 e-mail View comments Michael Barrymore has opened up about the true extent of his rehab journey for the first time after a very public battle with substance abuse. The comedian, 72, first entered rehab back in 1994 due to his troubling alcohol and drug addiction and in a recent TikTok the star detailed all the facilities he has trialled.
After celebrating 13 years of sobriety back in August, Michael took to TikTok to share an extensive review featuring eight different rehab centres. Only one scored 10/10 with all the others scoring five or below. Captioning the post: 'It takes soooo long to get better,' Michael rated The Cabin in Thailand top marks explaining the people there 'gave lots of attention and expressed deep gratitude'.
Michael Barrymore has opened up about the true extent of his rehab journey for the first time after a very public battle with substance abuse (pictured in 2020) Michael's worst experience occurred at the Sierra centre in Tuscon in Arizona. He didn't reveal the particulars of what went on but instead left a chilling comment Michael rated The Cabin in Thailand top marks explaining the people there 'gave lots of attention and expressed deep gratitude' Implying this was the final rehab centre he visited, he added: 'It is 13 years to the day I left here and I'm doing just great.' The Cabin describes itself as a 'luxury rehab centre in Chiang Mai' with over 5000 successful recoveries it is reportedly recognised as the top rehab in the country.
A spokesperson for the clinic told MailOnline: 'The team at The Cabin Chiang Mai are always happy to hear that ex clients have achieved a long and sustainable recovery as this is what they strive to deliver in their treatment model and client experience.' While he had success in Thailand, Michael claimed his experiences of rehab in London were dissatisfying. In his scathing review of a Priory in London he penned: 'I literally carried on drinking when I was her and they didn't seem bothered but I suppose I was left alone.
' The facility charges around £600 to £800 a night, which can rack up to £4000 to £6000 a week as he then added: 'This one also cost way more than any of the others'. Read More How Michael Barrymore became Gen Z's unlikely hero by reinventing himself as a TikTok star Meanwhile, the Priory Marchwood in Southampton was rated four out of 10, as he wrote: 'My first rehab. The building needed brightening up.
Not a very happy place to try and get better and all the patients are mixed together, some with far more serious conditions than others. 'The doctors were nice though. I relapsed the moment I left.
' The star revealed he returned to the Marchwood following a stint in the States as he confessed: 'They slung me back in here again when I got back from America.' He claimed he was followed by press, noting: 'I relapsed the second I got out again).' A spokesperson for The Priory group told MailOnline: 'We are unable to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality, however our policies do not allow alcohol at our sites and our rehabilitation programmes are abstinence-based.
'If a patient is found to be drinking alcohol while in treatment, there would be a clinical review and they would be asked to leave, with appropriate support in place to return once they feel ready.' He revealed the Priory Marchwood in Southampton was rated four out of 10, as he wrote: 'My first rehab. The building needed brightening up' The star revealed he returned to the Marchwood following a stint in the States as he confessed: 'They slung me back in here again when I got back from America' In his scathing review of a Priory in London he penned: 'I literally carried on drinking when I was her and they didn't seem bothered but I suppose I was left alone' Michael also reviewed the Nightingale in London as he confessed: 'I actually can't remember being her much, the London rehabs are very cold' Michael also reviewed the Nightingale in London as he confessed: 'I actually can't remember being her much, the London rehabs are very cold and you are surrounded by people with broadly different issues that are being treated in the same way'.
A spokesperson for Nightingale told MailOnline: 'Nightingale Hospital provides evidence-based addiction treatment which integrates group therapy, one-to-one therapy, family therapy and fellowship groups. 'Each person's treatment plan is decided upon and tailored to them in consultation with their psychiatrist.' As well as Thailand and the UK, Michael has checked into rehab centres in the US.
He rated Ashley in Maryland as one of his best experiences at seven out of 10 he admitted it was 'one of the most beautiful settings'. However that seemed to be the only positive Michael had as he explained he was in a section of the centre called 'animal house' and it was deeply religious and used AA principles which he found 'deeply worrying'. He also explained he was put on a strict diet there and wasn't allowed any sugar.
However it seems Michael achieved some level of focus as he was able to write a book. Cliffside Malibu received four out of 10, with Michael claiming he was given too much 'freedom'. He penned: 'The most free I felt in a rehab.
Probably too free. It didn't actually do anything to "fix" me, I just hung about with damaged celebrities all day.' Michael's worst experience occurred at the Sierra centre in Tuscon in Arizona.
Rating it only a one out of 10, the star didn't reveal the particulars of what went on and instead left the chilling comment: 'There is probably gonna be a Netflix documentary made about this place.' He rated Ashley in Maryland as one of his best experiences at seven out of 10 he admitted it was 'one of the most beautiful settings' Cliffside Malibu received four out of 10, with Michael claiming he was given too much 'freedom' which meant nothing was done to 'fix' him After sharing his view on the rehab facilities, Michael was keen to interact with his followers in the comments After sharing his view on the rehab facilities, Michael was keen to interact with his followers in the comments. As one penned: 'Your transparency amazes me, I love how you’re using your past issues to help others and normalise how life is a struggle sometimes, love and light to you xxx', he responded: 'It only takes time and I’ve always had plenty of that x'.
Another wrote: 'I love that you reply to your followers on here, too many celebrities think they are above the general public these days...
.ur one of the best, always have been, always will be', to which he replied: 'I think the comments and messages are just as much a part of what TikTok’s all about Kerry. They are kind, funny, heartwarming, heartfelt.
We can talk on this channel x'. One follower confessed: 'I cannot afford rehab and I am desperate to go', which Michael sharing: 'In the end it’s up to us Dia. Rehab or not.
Just try your best. That’s all we really have to do x'. Another revealed they had lost their dad to alcoholism, with Michael replying: 'My dad as well Beccky; it ain’t fair is it.
But we can talk about it and remember it was never actually their fault eh X x one for dad x'. A fan shared: 'Almost 7 and a half years clean and sober for me. Meditation and cold water therapy keeps me focused and humble.
I’d battled it all for most of my life. I’m now happy and at peace. Looks like you are too ❤️', Michael confirmed: 'Sounds perfect Stephen and yes I am x'.
A final comment wrote: 'I’m also in recovery 3 years but I’m doing it my way as I’ve tried theirs and nothing helped so I’m reducing and I’m nearly there big up Michael on your recovery ❤️', with Michael musing: 'Whatever works Karry. No where in the world can guarantee you will stop drinking. Have a wonderful everything xx' DID NOT RESPOND TO COMMENT Michael saw his career collapse in 2001 when Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead in the swimming pool of his Essex mansion after Michael hosted a late-night party.
He has always denied any knowledge of what happened. Michael enjoyed an illustrious career but in recent months he has found a new audience in Gen Z with his TikTok posts (pictured on his show Strike it Lucky in 1986) Michael saw his career collapse in 2001 when Stuart Lubbock (pictured) was found dead in the swimming pool of his Essex mansion aged 31 after Michael hosted a late-night party Online he's not afraid to come out of his shell and has posted several humorous clips after building up quite the following among the younger generation Michael lost his job at ITV shortly afterwards in 2003, and he was rarely seen again until he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in January 2006 - managing to finish in second place. Yet he was plagued by another scandal five years later admitted possessing cocaine that was found in his pocket after police approached his car.
A charge of being drunk and disorderly was withdrawn at the hearing. Now, however, it appears Michael is enjoying a newfound fame with a different audience - becoming an unlikely icon for Gen Z after building up an impressive TikTok following. Michael posts multiple videos per day and has amassed 3 million followers, many of whom leave him messages of love and support.
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