DR DREW PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCED

Dr. Drew Pinsky Announces Formation of Dr. Drew Productions

LOS ANGELES, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Drew Pinsky announced today the formation of Dr. Drew Productions, which will be based in Los Angeles and focus on high-quality reality television projects featuring Dr. Drew as well as other talent. Pinsky will partner with long-time manager Howard Lapides on this project. Lapides will be the managing partner.

"All projects under the new banner will expand on the Dr. Drew brand of always making a difference," said Howard Lapides.

The first project from the company is a pilot  "Estranged with Dr. Drew" where couples decide if they want to reunite or separate.  The project is being produced in conjunction with Picture This Television based in New York.

On television, Dr. Drew is best know for the "Celebrity Rehab" franchise on VH1, which is now in production on its fourth season and includes the spin-offs "Sober House with Dr. Drew" and "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew."  He also hosts MTV's "Sex…With Mom and Dad." 

Dr. Drew is currently in development with Telepictures targeting a fall 2011 premiere. Howard Lapides has been named Co-executive producer on this show.

Dr. Drew is host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Loveline."  Dr. Drew is an internist who is board-certified in addiction medicine, still runs a private practice, and is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine.  He is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Mirror Effect:  How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America andCRACKED:  Putting Broken Lives Together Again.  Among his numerous awards, Dr. Drew was honored with the 2008 Larry Stewart Leadership and Inspiration Award at the 12th Annual PRISM Awards. He is a regular guest on CNN's Larry King Live, which he has hosted many times, and is a contributor to The Today Show and most other media outlets.  To combat teen abuse of prescription drugs, Dr. Drew developed the RXLocker, a simple locking case to safely store prescription drugs.  www.drdrew.com

Howard Lapides, co-CEO of the Core, and President of the TV and Motion Picture division of Lapides/Lear Entertainment, manages writers/producers, talk show hosts, authors, comedians, and actors.  Lapides is the executive producer of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" and "Sober House with Dr. Drew." Lapides served as an Executive Producer for Comedy Central's "The Man Show" and was also an Executive Producer of "Loveline" for MTV.  Lapides worked closely with MTV developing TRL for client Carson Daly and produced Tom Green's feature directorial debut, Freddy Got Fingered for New Regency Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox. He also executive produced Stealing Harvard with Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment. He has been nominated for two Cable Ace Awards numerous Gemini Awards in Canada.

Contact: Valerie Allen PR
310-264-1888
Valerie@ValerieAllenPR.com

SOURCE Dr. Drew Productions

DR. DREW: IF I WERE LINDSAY'S FATHER I WOULD GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO GET HER INTO TREATMENT

I have been working in the field of addiction for over twenty years and I continue to be mystified by many of the misconceptions surrounding this most common disorder.  Addiction is a deadly disease.  It is a brain disease that alters the brain’s fundamental motivational drives such that thoughts, judgment and volition become severely distorted and actually serve the abnormal motivational priority of getting and using more drugs.  Untreated severe addiction is more likely to kill a patient suffering with the condition than most cancers.  Treated Breast Cancers, Prostate Cancer, most Lymphomas, and the vast majority of skin cancers, have a better prognosis than a treated addict.  And yet addiction is the only disease I have to convince a patient that they have and more importantly convince the patient that without treatment his or her life is in danger.  Getting families to understand this is often even more difficult. For those of us that are parents, every instinct we have is often precisely anathema to the interventions we should be taking when our children become addicted. 

I was at dinner with my own children some months ago and we were discussing addiction and I explained to them that as a result of my experience treating addicts, I wanted them to know that I would go to any lengths to combat this disease should one of them ever fall victim.  I reminded them that I spend my days trying to resurrect lives that have been devastated by this disease, devastation that might have been avoided had someone been sufficiently clear to have gone to the mat for this patient when they were younger and earlier in their disease. Family members have to be willing to go to any lengths and unfortunately this often means bringing about circumstances that restrict that individual’s freedom. As the parent of an addict you must be prepared to bring consequences to bear.  I am talking about painful interventions that save lives.

I am not naïve about the treatment of addiction and I know well that some times any and all interventions are in vain.  There are those professional who would argue that abstinence based interventions are unrealistic for severe addicts and physicians should pursue replacement or so called harm reduction therapies.  But when I was asked as a father, if I were in Michael Lohan’s position, what would I do to help my daughter, I am clear that I would go to any lengths to get her to and retain her in treatment.  Bringing legal consequences to bear is often the only alternative. It would kill me but I would do it. Perhaps I surrendered my equanimity to a flight of journalistic excess by even suggesting that he plant drugs.  But if I was in his position and I knew she was addicted (which I personally do not) and all else had failed, I suspect I would contemplate even this as a last resort. 

Let me be clear I am not suggesting this as a routine intervention but we frequently enlist law enforcement when we have exhausted other measures. To those of you who reacted in outrage when I made this suggestion, I will remind you that millions of you watched the first season of Sober House when as difficult as it was for her, the house manager, Jennifer Gimenez, summoned police to contain Steven Adler.  We then advocated for long-term treatment as an alternative to imprisonment; an enlightened judge granted this, and today as a result Steven is sober and thriving.  Were it not for this intervention, as miserable as it was for Steven, I believe he would have or soon succumbed to his addiction. 

I have participated in similar interventions many many times and it saves lives. Judges will grant treatment and this can be a very effective means to keep patients engaged in extended care.  In my experience the outcomes can be quite good.   I do not know Lindsay Lohan but I sincerely wish her the best.  She has had excellent treatment in the past at outstanding treatment programs.  I hope one day she returns to her recovery as I believe she will one day thrive, provided that this disease does not first bring some horrible consequences down upon her.  As a father my heart goes out to Michael Lohan who deeply appreciates the dangers of this condition and (if she is in fact active in her disease) lives every day in the shadow of his daughter’s potential demise. 

Drew Pinsky, M.D.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-drew-pinsky/if-i-were-lindsay-lohans_b_541648.html

JENNIFER GIMENEZ RETURNS TO VH1's SOBER HOUSE with DR. DREW

Jennifer Gimenez Returns to VH1's "Sober House with Dr. Drew"

Former Super Model Reprises Her Role as House Manager

(Los Angeles) Rehab was just the beginning - "Sober House with Dr. Drew" shines a spotlight on the painstaking task of staying sober. Jennifer Gimenez returns in season two as the House Manager. Jennifer is a genuine inspiration to the cast of celebrity housemates on the show. Once a highly successful supermodel/actress, she is now on the road back to stardom after battling her own demons. Since season one aired last year Jennifer has transformed her body and her life. She lost 100 pounds through diet and exercise and wishes to utilize her journey to help others. "Sober House with Dr. Drew" season two premieres on VH1 Thursday, March 11 at 10 PM (check local listing.)

Addicts enter rehab as an emergency measure geared at saving their lives. But what happens after the twenty-one days of intensive, in-patient treatment are complete? "Sober House with Dr. Drew" chronicles the all-important transitional period beyond the safety of rehab when the real work begins and patients initiate their move back into society. World-renowned addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky, Jennifer Gimenez, and the team facilitates the continued path to healing for several challenging patients in eight new episodes of "Sober House with Dr. Drew." They will strive to give the patients the tools they need to maintain sobriety when they leave the house and return to the public eye of their celebrity lives.

The cast of season two of “Sober House” combines patients from both “Celebrity Rehab 3“ as well as “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew“ and in addition to Jennifer Gimenez includes: Tom Sizemore, Heidi Fleiss, Dennis Rodman, Jennifer Ketcham, Seth “Shifty” Binzer, Kendra Jade Rossi, Mike Starr and Kari Ann Peniche.

Jennifer Gimenez has proven her merit not only as a supermodel, but also as an actress and a reality star of the highest caliber. Jennifer recently graced the cover of Pasadena magazine and was a judge on SiTV's "Model Latina". Jennifer Gimenez was the youngest model ever to appear on the cover of American Elle. Among her 100's of other covers are international editions of Elle, Vogue, Bazaar, and Marie Claire. She has appeared in runway shows around the world and walked the runway for every major designer. Gimenez has shot numerous campaigns for companies including Calvin Klein and Guess and has appeared in countless fashion editorials. Jennifer is proud to be credited as one of the first models to break the barriers for Latinas.

Gimenez’ extraordinary sex appeal led her to being named one of Maxim’s “Hot 100” and Esquire’s “Women We Love.” She went on to appear in music videos for such renowned recording artists as Mick Jagger, Prince, 2Pac Shakur, and Babyface. After recurring television appearances on "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and The Beautiful", among others, Jennifer landed her first major film role in Ted Demme’s Blow, starring alongside Johnny Depp. She followed up with roles in movies as diverse as Vanilla Sky, Corky Romano, Charlie’s Angels 2, White Man’s Burden and The Sweetest Thing. Her most recent film role was in 2008’s Checkmate.

Viewers can catch a sneak peek of the season’s first episode on VH1.com on Friday, March 5 – six days before the on-air premiere. Subsequent episodes will be available on VH1.com the morning after they air. Additional video content from “Sober House with Dr. Drew” including exclusive commentary by Dr. Drew and extras from each episode will be available on VH1.com and on VH1 Mobile throughout the season.

Dr. Drew's "Sober House" Premieres March 11 at 10 pm

Rehab Was Just the Beginning - 'Sober House with Dr. Drew' Shines a Spotlight on the Painstaking Task of Staying Sober

Tom Sizemore, Heidi Fleiss, Dennis Rodman, Jennifer Ketcham, Seth "Shifty" Binzer, Kendra Jade Rossi, Mike Starr and Kari Ann Peniche Check Into Season 2 of "Sober House with Dr. Drew"

Season Two Premieres on Thursday, March 11 at 10PM*

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Addicts enter rehab as an emergency measure geared at saving their lives. But what happens after the twenty-one days of intensive, in-patient treatment are complete? "Sober House with Dr. Drew" chronicles the all-important transitional period beyond the safety of rehab when the real work begins and patients initiate their move back into society. World-renowned addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky facilitates the continued path to healing for several of his most challenging patients in eight new episodes of "Sober House with Dr. Drew." The new season is set to premiere on Thursday, March 11 at 10pm*.

The cast of season 2 of "Sober House" combines patients from both "Celebrity Rehab 3" as well as "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew" and includes: Tom Sizemore, Heidi Fleiss, Dennis Rodman, Jennifer Ketcham, Seth "Shifty" Binzer, Kendra Jade Rossi, Mike Starr and Kari Ann Peniche.

A sober living house is an interim step on the path to sobriety where addicts can live in a supervised and sober environment with structure and rules, i.e. mandatory curfews, chores and therapeutic meetings. In this show, celebrity addicts, most of whom have spent the better part of their lives in the throws of addiction, will learn how to essentially start their lives over from the ground up. In many cases, successfully maintaining sobriety requires patients to alter everything about their previous lives when they were actively addicted to alcohol and other drugs. This could include changing jobs, eliminating friends and even abandoning loved ones who are deemed toxic to their sobriety.

Dr. Drew and his staff will keep a watchful eye over all that goes on at the Sober House. Throughout the course of the experience, patients will have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Drew in both one-on-one and group counseling sessions in an effort to understand and solidify their sobriety.

In the end, we will witness the real life struggles of these celebrity patients whose sobriety hangs by a thread as they experience the pressures of daily life outside of rehab. Dr. Drew and his team will strive to give the patients the tools they need to maintain sobriety when they leave the house and return to the public eye of their celebrity lives.

"Sober House with Dr. Drew" is executive produced by John Irwin and Damian Sullivan for Irwin Entertainment. Dr. Drew Pinsky and Howard Lapides are also executive producing. Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes, and Noah Pollack are executive producers for VH1.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

SOURCE VH1

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Dr. Drew and Rx Locker Select Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Hillsides Home for Children as Recipients of Charitable Donations

23.02.2010 | Author: PR Newswire | Posted in Healthcare & Hospitals, Medical & Pharmaceuticals, Mental Health, Non Profit | Press Release Tags: california, Locker Brand, Inc., Partnership for a Drug-Free America, The Hillsides Home for Children

Dr. Drew and Rx Locker Select Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Hillsides Home for Children as Recipients of Charitable Donations

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ — After the recent debut of the Rx Locker, a device designed to secure prescription medications within the home, Dr. Drew Pinsky has named the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and The Hillsides Home for Children as the two charities that will receive a portion of the proceeds from each Rx Locker sold worldwide.

The Rx Locker is a locking storage device designed to hold up to 4 prescription pill bottles and still fit inside a standard medicine cabinet. A chromed metal combination lock provides convenient access for the user while ensuring secure storage and privacy.

Prescription drug abuse among teenagers in the United States has become a serious concern. National Survey on Drug Use and Health identifies that 1 in 5 teenagers have abused prescription medications— pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers. About 70% of teens that abused say they got the prescription drugs from family and friends. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health.)

Those who do so much to help educate about the dangers of misused Rx drugs inspired the Rx Locker. A donation of 2.5 cents from every Rx Locker sold worldwide, with a minimum of $10,000 each, will go to help the efforts of The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Hillsides, a Los Angeles children's charity that creates safe places for children. In addition Locker Brand would like to thank all the individuals who made the Rx Locker possible.

Dr. Drew has a long-standing relationship with the both organizations. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization that unites parents, renowned scientists and communications professionals to help families raise healthy children. (Http://www.drugfree.org)

"The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is pleased that Locker Brand, Inc. has created a timely, relevant product, to help parents safeguard their families by securing prescription medications and household chemicals. Parents need to be aware of and take effective action against the serious health threat that the abuse of prescription medicines and household chemicals poses to our children. We appreciate Locker Brand's support of the Partnership's mission – to help parents prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug abuse by their children – through donations from the worldwide purchases of the Rx Locker™ product," said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO, The Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

Dr. Drew's wife, Susan Pinsky, is a board member at The Hillsides Home for Children. Hillsides is a private, nonprofit foster care and treatment center, creating a safe place for children, strengthening family, providing special education, and advocating children's rights. The charity is located in Pasadena, an official institution of the Los Angeles Diocese of the Episcopal Church. (http://www.hillsides.org)

Dr. Drew Pinsky is a practicing Medical Doctor, board certified in internal and addiction medicine. He is also the executive producer and host of several television series including "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," "Sober House" and "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew" as well as the host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Loveline." He is the author of 'Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again, When Painkillers Become Dangerous' and the New York Times bestseller 'The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America.' For more information about Dr. Drew please visit www.DrDrew.com.

The Rx Locker is available now at www.RxLocker.com. Locker Brand, Inc. designs and manufactures locking storage devices for the home and has numerous patents pending. (www.LockerBrand.com)

    Contact:  Valerie Allen     310-264-1888     Valerie@valerieallenpr.com 

SOURCE Locker Brand, Inc.

Contact

Valerie Allen, +1-310-264-1888, Valerie@valerieallenpr.com, for Locker Brand, Inc.

NEW BOOK BY DR. CHARLES SOPHY

ON SALE FEBRUARY 2

SIDE BY SIDE: the Revolutionary Mother-Daughter Program for Conflict-Free Communication

BY DR. CHARLES SOPHY

We all know the relationship between a mother and daughter is unique: extremely powerful and emotionally charged. Despite wanting the best for their daughters, many mothers find themselves trapped in a cycle of fighting and negative communication. In SIDE BY SIDE: the Revolutionary Mother-Daughter Program for Conflict-Free Communication (HarperOne, February 2010, Hardcover, $25.99, ISBN 978-0-06-179157-4), Dr. Charles Sophy introduces a ground-breaking plan for moms to develop a strong and rewarding relationship with their daughters for years to come.

In SIDE BY SIDE, Dr. Sophy identifies four key truths about mothers and daughters:

1. Mothers and daughters want the same things: love, understanding, and respect

2. Mothers and daughters speak the same language. Moms and daughters are always communicating, either verbally or nonverbally, in a conversation that begins in the daughter’s infancy. Mothers must recognize the tremendous impact they have, and strive to communicate in an honest, respectful and loving way.

3. Mothers and daughters, on some level, are in competition with each other. This competition can be subtle or unconscious, but it’s important to recognize.

4. Mothers and daughters have estrogen—lots of it. Fluctuating hormones can cause mood swings; to make matters worse, many times mothers are entering menopause just as their daughters are dealing with puberty

Dr. Sophy also unveils a key tool for mothers and daughters: The Chair Strategy, a unique, easy-to-use approach to communication that reduces the emotions of any argument and allows mom to guide any conversation to a place of love and respect. In addition, Dr. Sophy provides a section on Hot Button Issues, helping mothers approach some of the most challenging areas of parenting: sex, money, values, and divorce.

Being a mom is hard work, but Dr. Sophy steers moms through even the roughest waters. With exercises, guided conversations, journaling and real-world stories, SIDE BY SIDE takes the mother-daughter relationship, regardless of its current state, and leads it toward a new level of understanding, love, and true connection.

THE MIRROR EFFECT: How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America

Congratulations of Dr. Drew and Dr. S. Mark Young for making the NY Times and LA Times best seller lists!

They must have had a good publicist!