Robin Williams was photographed at a Dairy Queen in Lindstrom, Minnesota recently, where he ordered a small vanilla cone. A local news outlet has the original story of his visit, and how the fifteen year-old girl named Abby Albers working there realized it was him and got up the nerve to ask him for a photo. Abby looks thrilled, and I’m surprised at how thin Robin is.
That story in the Minnesotan news stated that “No one really knows what he was doing in Lindstrom.” I guess Robin’s rep wanted to clear up the mystery. She confirmed that Robin is in rehab, but asserted that he hasn’t fallen off the wagon at all and is just recommitting to his sobriety. This was one of the nicer statements I’ve read:
As with any disease, addiction requires check-ups and maintenance, which is why Robin Williams has gone back to rehab, his reps tell USA TODAY.
“After working back-to-back projects, Robin is simply taking the opportunity to fine-tune and focus on his continued commitment, of which he remains extremely proud.”
He’s spending a few weeks at a Minnesota rehab facility called Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center and his presence in middle America has caused a bit of a stir. He posed with fans at a Dairy Queen in Lindstrom, Minn., leading local news to wonder why he was in town.
For years, Williams has been open about his issues with drugs and alcohol, and this go ’round is no different. Sweet tooth, and all.
That was kind of heartwarming to me for some reason. Maybe Williams didn’t want to publicize his rehab visit, we have no way of knowing, but when he was recognized he made a statement about his sobriety and rehab stay. I’m glad to hear he’s ok.
As an aside, I had the pleasure of going to the nearby Twin Cities about 10 years ago and was so impressed by how nice everyone was. It’s not much different in the south, people are very nice here, but there was something extra friendly about Minnesotans, and the people I met loved to chat. I should go back!
Here’s Robin in September, 2013 and also in July with Sarah Michelle Gellar. They were publicizing their show on CBS, The Crazy Ones, which only lasted one season and was cancelled in May.
Photo credit: WENN.com
Love this guy. I Wish him great success in rehab.
Does anyone honestly go to rehab just to recommit to sobriety? Isn’t that something he would do as an outpatient? I get the feeling he actually fell off the wagon…
I don’t know, but I think it’s possible to enter when you do not feel ok, and you see the risk of falling into addiction again.
I think you are right on the button, here, Eleonoy.
Hazelden is serious about treatment and recovery. Good for Robin.
Yes, it’s common and often recommended. I have patients who I have recommended a sobriety “tune up” to, especially when there are major stressors in their lives.
Yes, people do go for maintenance. Especially at Hazelden – they offer a really wide range of services – from detox to lifetime support. They have a pretty good track record and are considered the place to go if you’re in a very bad way. This is no fluffy spa-like rehab. My dad was there for a few months – it’s no joke.
Maybe people with a ton of money…anyway. I feel a little skeptical myself, but you know what? No matter, he is taking care of business either way.
Hazelden is expensive – as are most rehab facilities, but I know they operate more clinically than a lot of them, so they take insurance and work to get as much covered as possible. They also have financial assistance.
And they do offer programs just for what Robin is reportedly doing. I know my dad has, what I guess you would call, reunions with people he was there with. They very much encourage lifelong recovery support.
I don’t know but I’d think places/providers would encourage that. I would think “preventative maintenance” is a lot easier, not to mention cost-effective, to deal with than a full-blown relapse.
Me too. They are full of sh**. He probably went on a drunken bender. That’s ok if he did at least he is trying.
I don’t think it’s fair to claim he fell of the wagon. If he that he’s getting close, Robin probably felt in-patient was best. Also he’s a known recovering addict. Why lie? What’s the point?
Yesterday RDJ son and Shia LeBeuf, today Portia de Rossi and Robin Williams, WTH is this the rehab week?
Good for him. No judgement.
“Recommitting to sobriety”? Not buying it. This just sounds like a publicist way of keeping ahead of TMZ and company. I wish him luck ofcourse.
Good for him. Wish him all the best. Always had a soft spot for Robin Williams. Mork and Mindy was one of my faves when I was young. And his and Anabella Sciori’s performance in What Dreams May Come always crushes me. Very sad but such a great movie.
Me too, Jaderu, just loved What Dreams May Come. He and Anabella were fantastic. if you ask me, that is one of the best movies ever made. All you Celebi*ches should check it out! 🙂
+ 1.
I knew a guy who had about 15 years of clean time up and decided he needed another stint in rehab because his gambling was getting out of hand. But the 12 step hard liners would tell you that going back to rehab wouldn’t be necessary if people attended regular meetings and more importantly continued to work the steps. Although I’ve haven’t done either for over six years and I don’t feel any worse for it.
I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt too, but by looking at this pic….I dunno…looks very unhealthy to me.
I agree. Worrisome.
I always thought his shtick was just a natural temperament or disposition… the crazy, ping pong ball comedic genius mastermind thing. It’s not so funny now that it was probably drug fuelled.
It is probably both. I think he IS a comedic genius/mastermind! I found this quote on a PBS documentary website….
http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/blogs/laugh-when-youre-afraid
“Robin Williams uses the manic and depressive cycles of his bipolar disorder to produce comedic genius on and off screen”
There is a high degree of comorbidity with bipolar personalities and addiction.
I sure hope this is true, LOVE Robin SO, SO MUCH!
This is nice. I’m happy he’s ok now and he’s staying so committed, it really is heartwarming. Robin Williams is my all time favourite actor! Also I loved The Crazy Ones… too bad it was cancelled (bad decision I think).
Yay! Shout Out for MN. We are a friendly bunch here but the driving could be better lol
I am happy he is doing what is good for him but a little sad he now cant do it privately 🙁
I’m happy for him, too. I think the fact he didn’t politely decline the photo shows that he’s a class act and also that it didn’t bother him too much if his presence was known.
I usually find him to be annoying, but this story makes Robin Williams seem like a nice guy. Thank you.
“Minnesota nice” as it’s called is a weird thing. We’re nice and chatty with visitors and tourists, but it’s different if you move here and try to make friends. We can be very insular when it comes to letting new people in our lives beyond just a chat. Great place to live, but hard to work yourself into the community.
Exactly! It’s passive aggressive. Less so in the urban areas, in general the Norwegian Lutheran heritage of this state is quietly judgmental. But you never know when you’re going to need someone to help push your car out of a ditch in a snowstorm…
Hazelden is no celebrity rehab joint. It’s for people seriously committed to putting in the work, whatever that may be for Mr. Williams. He’s had heart issues, which can make emotional health really challenging. There’s a great WTF podcast interview with Marc Maron where Robin Williams talks about health & happiness & recovery. His perspective was almost Zen-like.
I wish him so well.
Eh Good for him, better than ShiaLaBeoufing his way around town tbh
He looks so fragile in that top photo. I hope he is okay. A body can only take so much.
Born and raised in MN!! 😀
We’re too nice for our own good, really. The saying is, if you slap us on the cheek, we’ll offer you a place to stay in our homes and a warm breakfast the next day–too true. Shy farmers, we are.
Still– love him for his openness, his kindness, and his commitment to health.
(Comeon, Rob–you can do it!!) <3
Except he’s been seen drinking, and having cocaine sweats by various people. I think he went to rehab because if he went off the rails again all the people who now depend on him with that show of his would be out of a job, and he’s a nice guy who I think would feel terrible if it was pulled from the schedule because of his drinking and drug use. So he dealt with it. Good for him. A slip is just that if you fix the problem before your problems cause big problems for everyone around you.