According to UsMagazine.com, Lindsay Lohan – who was recently released (seriously early, mind you) from court-ordered rehab – admitted this past weekend to failing a drug test.

Sure, she still attended her AA meeting, but, she’s already failing drugs tests. I am no stranger to the addiction game. Fortunately, I’ve never dealt firsthand with alcoholism or drug addiction, but have friends and loved ones who have, so I’m not shocked that Lindsay failed a drug test this soon after being released from rehab.

The reasons for my not being shocked?

Well, first of all, the addiction and recovery-related adage “One day at a time” comes to mind. Many people who deal with addiction don’t adopt the attitude that once they leave rehab they’re “cured” and will never use drugs again. They know it’s a lifelong process, relapse is a very real possibility, and they can only take care of one day at a time.

Second of all, she was only in rehab for 23 days of the 90 days Judge Elden Fox initially sentenced her to – enough time to clean out, but…not really enough time to learn anything substantial about herself and her addition and adopt any kind of cognitive and lifestyle changes to help her recover, is it?

Sure, a few weeks ago it was reported that Lohan’s Adderall prescription, which she’d been taking for an incorrect Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, could’ve been the culprit for her seemingly out-of-control and at times criminal behavior over the past few years.

However, isn’t it reasonable for us to assume that once doctors at the UCLA rehab facility where Lohan was receiving treatment realized she was taking medicine for a condition she didn’t have – and once they released her, early, because she apparently had no addictions – that we should think, oh, I don’t know…that she wouldn’t be failing any drug tests any time soon?

Clearly there’s a problem here that goes beyond an incorrect diagnosis and prescription.

Fortunately, Lohan seems to be aware of not only her setback, but also that the setback doesn’t mean The End. Friday night, Lohan tweeted that she recognized the setback and was prepared to take responsibility for it and face the consequences.

Consequences of which could include 30 more days in jail. When Lohan was released from rehab early, her conditions included random drug testing, intensive psychotherapy, 12-Step meetings, and working with a chemical dependency mentor. She was warned any failed drug tests would earn her a 30-day jail stay.

Back when Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler completed his 90-day rehab stay, I talked with Psych Central’s Dr. John Grohol about rehab time periods – specifically, time periods that were considered a “good” length – and he gave me not only some numbers, but also some information about factors that go into them such as the type of facility, the length of addiction, how the person ended up in rehab (i.e. personal decision versus court order), and how much effort the person puts into his or her treatment.

He also pointed out that in a celebrity case, the one thing we don’t really know is how much effort the person puts forth.

This is true for Lindsay. We don’t really know how much effort she put forth during those 23 days, nor do we know how finding out about her incorrect diagnosis and medication might have affected her attitude toward her addiction. We do know that she eventually admitted to failing a drug test and is saying she accepts responsibility for it and will accept the consequences for it.

That being said, to me, additional jail time doesn’t seem like the most effective way to go. Lindsay has a problem with drugs. She has an addiction. My non-medical, non-professional opinion is that she needs more time – more serious time – in rehab.

What do you think?

Do you have experience with addiction, whether it’s firsthand or with family members or other loved ones? Have you experienced a situation like Lindsay’s?

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From Psych Central's Alicia Sparks:
Extra Jail Time Could Be Just What Lindsay Lohan Needs | Celebrity Psychings (September 27, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 20 Sep 2010