 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Sober House
- VH1
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Next step of celebrity rehab isn't meant for young viewers.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this spin-off of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew follows stars who've already gone through 21 days of rehab and are now facing the next phase in their recovery process by living in a group home. Like its predecessor, the show focuses on the consequences of substance abuse and stresses the value of living a clean-and-sober lifestyle -- but it accomplishes that by highlighting some of the celebs' destructive behavior prior, during, and after rehab (especially during early episodes) and includes frequent consumption of and discussion about drugs and alcohol. It could be considered a cautionary tale for older teens, but it's very mature and really isn't meant for kids.
What's the story?
SOBER HOUSE follows graduates of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew as they take the next step in their journey toward sobriety. After completing 21 days of residential treatment, substance abuse patients like former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler, Crazy Town rapper Seth "Shifty" Binzer, and former American Idol contestant Nikki McKibbin leave the safety of a highly monitored rehab program and move into an outpatient group home supervised by actress/recovering addict Jennifer Gimenez. For 30 days, they must live by strict house rules, which include finding (and keeping) a job, adhering to curfews, abstaining from sexual activity, and, most importantly, staying away from alcohol and drugs. Meanwhile, Dr. Drew and his staff continue to work with the celebs as they make some tough life-changing choices, recover from relapses, and transition to a clean-and-sober life.
Is it any good?
This voyeuristic series offers an inside look at the different phases of addiction treatment, as well as the various challenges that addicts face on a daily basis in order to live a substance-free lifestyle. Although there are some strong personalities and over-the-top behavior (usually the result of a patient's relapse), the drama really centers on each celebrity's struggles and successes with the recovery process.
Overall, this show could potentially serve as a warning to teens who are -- or have ever been -- tempted to follow the destructive paths of these public figures. But the strong content -- including footage of packets of heroin, syringes, and celebs using and getting sick from drugs and alcohol (most of which is more prominent during the first few episodes) -- isn't meant for kids, with the possible exception of older teens who can understand the context in which all of this damaging behavior is taking place.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the realities of alcohol and drug addiction, as well as the celebrities who struggle publicly with it. Do you think being in the media spotlight makes it harder for someone to become clean and sober? Are media reports about celebrities' addiction problems meant to send a negative message about drug and alcohol abuse, or are they simply gossip? Parents: In an age of celebrity worship and tabloid trash-fests, is it more difficult to raise a well-adjusted, substance-free teen? How does the media both help and hinder your efforts? Families can also discuss the process of coping with addiction. After rehab is over, what efforts do recovering addicts need to make to live a substance-free lifestyle? What if they relapse? How can others support their recovery without enabling or isolating them?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I Question it??
Okay, I agree with the reviewer who said Steve was being antagonized. He certainly was! Of course, I also think it was purposely done to get those high ratings. If everyone was goody, goody, no one would watch the show! I also think the police were really called because the "housemother" was hurting over Steve's comments to her and also for those higher ratings. I Question: Is Steve really as messed up as they portray or again, is he and they doing all of this for the ratings?????
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AGE
Annoying
I just watched the episode where the police were called in to take Steve out of the house. Ridiculous! He was not abusive. You guys kept annoying him by opening the door over and over etc... As high as he was, all he kept saying was "do you guys mind I'm trying to get dressed." And of course he's going to call the girl a b**ch she was annoying! You don't help drug addicts when they relapse by annoying behavior and INSTIGATING further bad behavior. You guys are dramatizing drugs at this point and trying to make your show more "DRAMATIC". Concentrate on being more mature than the addict and not causing a mess so you can act like you have something to clean up. You could have sat him down and spoke with him in calm language, consistent and trustworthy, kept an eye on him with the hidden camera so he does no harm to himself. Then in the morning address the issue, (of course considering whatever the drug is causing in his system). If he was throwing desks, trying to hit someone etc... I could understand restraint, but he tried to save a falling lamp for christ sake!!!! You guys were like flies buzzing around, like children annoying adults with repetitive movement and useless chatter, walking in and out of the room talking nothing that would actually help him. Then after so many times Steve asks to have the door closed and the guy with the headset slams the door and says something smart ass back and starts saying Steves abusive! HUH???? Who's on drugs? What's on second, cause this show is borderline
abusive and glamorizing the wrong subject matter.
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AGE
A look into the truth of drug use
This show actually tugs at my heart. Although I am 37, I've never actually seen drugs (other than tv or books) or known someone that was hooked, so this show is an eye opener for me. With three children I know that drugs are a huge factor that my children could be faced with at some point in their life. Unfortunetly drugs are now an issue in middle schools, so I believe that children as young as 12 could benefit from watching. I think allowing them to watch the reality of what drugs do to real people could help deture their curiosity. It's one thing to have it told to you over and over by adults - it's another to actually see how awful life on drugs can be. It's an additional reality to see that anyone can be effected, even the "rich and famous".
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | VH1 |
| Cast: | Drew Pinsky, Jennifer Gimenez |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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