Recent news of Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford, passing away in a California rehab facility has sparked questions. Despite having extensive treatment options, Gerber’s death underscores the severe nature of substance use disorder.
Addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky highlighted this issue in a discussion about current treatment trends. He pointed out the dangers of letting patients dictate their treatment plans. During his podcast, “Ask Dr. Drew,” Pinsky expressed concern over Gerber’s approach to his care, suggesting it was not beneficial.
“When I listened to [Gerber’s] video, what struck me and concerned me was that the patient seemed to be determining some of the care. That’s never good.” – Dr. Drew Pinsky
Alternative Treatments and Risks
Gerber had pursued an “ibogaine flood” in Mexico. Ibogaine, derived from an African shrub, has been explored for treating substance use disorders. However, it has not received FDA approval. Pinsky warned of the risks associated with ibogaine and noted past patient experiences. He emphasized that many who try ibogaine relapse, experiencing personality changes.
Ibogaine remains a Schedule I substance in the U.S. due to its documented risks, such as fatal heart arrhythmias.
The Importance of Evidence-Based Treatment
Pinsky argued that cases like Gerber’s show the dangers of bypassing medical protocols for risky therapies. Addressing public surprise over Gerber’s death in a facility, Pinsky stressed the limitations of even high-end rehab centers. He advised seeking fully licensed centers utilizing FDA-approved medications for opioid addiction.
“Opioid addiction is progressive and it ends in death. Even with good treatment, it has a worse prognosis than most cancers … If they are not moving toward recovery, they are moving toward demise.” – Dr. Drew Pinsky
The cause of death awaits official toxicology results from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. Emergency records indicated 911 responded to a possible overdose and cardiac arrest at Gerber’s facility.
Cautions for Families Seeking Treatment
Addiction expert Dr. Nicholas Kardaris highlighted the critical period during and after rehab as highly risky. Allowing addictions patients to influence their treatments often sabotages recovery efforts.
“People are in rehab because they’re struggling with addiction. It doesn’t mean they’re cured,” – Dr. Nicholas Kardaris
Kardaris pointed out that relapsing during treatment poses fatal risks due to lowered tolerance. Experts urge families to pursue evidence-based treatments, including medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, as appropriate.
Khloe Quill, a lifestyle writer for Fox News Digital, contributes to stories on topics including health.