Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew

Review

Common Sense Media says

Mature series takes serious look at sex addiction.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series about celebrities' struggles with sexual addiction includes frank discussions about various sexual compulsions and past sexual trauma, plus occasional scenes of various sexual activities. All of this content is offered within an educational/therapeutic context, but it's still too mature for kids. Like most reality shows, Sex Rehab has its fair share of theatrically dramatic moments in which cast members tearfully work through painful memories and lash out angrily; there's also plenty of salty language (words like “f--k” and “s--t” are bleeped, while others are audible) and images of people drinking and smoking (plus occasional glimpses of cocaine and other drugs).

  • Positive messages0
    Although the show is focused on sexual addiction, it addresses its topic seriously and professionally, attempting to lift the veil of secrecy and shame that usually surrounds sexual addiction and underscore the consequences of the disease.
  • Positive role models0
    Dr. Drew and his staff want to help their patients cope with their addiction and lead a better life. Some of the patients are adult performers or have worked as prostitutes; others are incapable of having intimate and/or monogamous relationships. But the patients show a degree of courageousness by publicly discussing their problem and seeking help to overcome it.
  • Violence2
    Patients are shown arguing, yelling, and physically lashing out at staff. Patients discuss physical injuries resulting from extreme sexual behavior.
  • Sex4
    Explicit discussions about a variety of sexual behaviors, promiscuity, and Internet pornography. Some suggestive images of certain sexual acts. People are shown undressing or engaging in certain sex acts, but all nudity is blurred (as are sex-related accessories). Sexual abuse and sexually transmitted diseases are often addressed, though all of the discussions are in the rehab/recovery context. Patients sign a celibacy contract as part of their stint in rehab. Both heterosexual and homosexual sexual activities are discussed.
  • Language3
    Strong language ranges from audible uses of “damn," “piss,” and “hell” to frequent (but bleeped) use of curses like “s--t” and “f--k."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Smoking and drinking are visible; brief images of cocaine and other drugs. Sex addiction is often compared to drug addiction; some patients use sexual behavior to cope with their drug/alcohol recovery.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

In SEX REHAB WITH DR. DREW, Dr. Drew Pinsky works with nine minor celebrities who've voluntarily entered rehab to get help for their sex addiction. With the help of sex therapist Jill Vermeire, the participants work on controlling their compulsions -- which range from porn addiction to extreme promiscuity -- so that they no longer serve as the dominant force in their lives. Cameras film the patients as they try to create boundaries around their bodies and work within various therapeutic environments to understand how they're using sex to cope with painful issues like childhood sexual trauma and and/or substance abuse in order to get their destructive behavior under control. Medical facts about the condition and its potentially devastating consequences -- including cancer, bankruptcy, and death -- are also included.

Is it any good?

 

Sex Rehab attempts to eliminate some of the shame and ignorance that surround sexual addiction. The show contends that sex addiction is the hardest addiction to deal with because it requires patients to work with deeply rooted and emotionally distressing problems in order to control their compulsive behavior.

Pinsky calls the celebs’ willingness to tackle their addiction on camera “courageous," but you still have to wonder why they made the choice to do so on a reality show. But no matter what their motives, their appearance succeeds in breaking some of the taboos surrounding the subject. Sex Rehab certainly isn’t for kids, but it definitely has something to offer for those mature enough to handle it.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about why problems related to sex and sexual addiction are often treated as taboo (or as a source of humor) by the media. What makes this subject so difficult to talk about or take seriously? Do you think this show will prompt people to view sexual addiction differently?

  • Why do celebrities agree to go on reality shows like this? Are they trying to bring attention to these issues, or are they just looking for a chance to be in the media spotlight? Do you think the celebs' efforts to confront their addiction make them role models?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-14
Network:VH1
Cast:Drew Pinsky, Jill Vermeire
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More shows about coping with big problems
For kids who love reality TV
Browse more TV
 

vote now

Will you see Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it