Where even the stars do their own housework

Press, 28 November 1984, Page 35

Where even the stars do their own housework

By

RONALD CLARKE

of Reuters (through NZPA) Palm Springs In the red glow of a desert dawn, amid the gently swaying palm, trees, Elizabeth Taylor carried out the kitchen rubbish. Mary Tyler Moore, Liza Minnelli, and Robert Mitchum cleaned and polished their rooms and did their laundry. Such big-name stars are often seen these days at one of Hollywood’s most fashionable clubs, flourishing on the outskirts of the millionaire’s desert playground of Palm Springs — as a rehabilitation centre for people trying to overcome drug and drinking problems. “It’s all the rage,” quipped an actress and comedienne, Cloris Leachman, a close friend of Miss Moore. A former First Lady, Betty Ford, set up the Betty Ford Centre two years ago after admitting in 1978 she' had become addicted to medication she had been taking for arthritis, and to alcohol. Since then, nearly a thousand people, the famous and the unknown, have paid a $5OO admission fee and $155 a day to stay at the centre and undergo its strenuous programme. Mrs Ford, who no longer drinks and who takes medication for arthritic pain only when it is essential, is among the regular speakers at the centre. Miss Moore, the perky, naive Mary Richards of the television series, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” left the centre after spending five weeks there, convinced she had changed her life pattern. “She wasn’t dependent on alcohol but she was a social drinker,” said her publicity agent, Jackie Becher. “She is also a diabetic and that meant she should not drink at all.” Miss Moore, whose sister died of an overdose of drugs and whose son was killed in a shotgun accident, said she felt a new woman. Miss Taylor, whose doctor said she had become dependent on drugs because of treatment she had received for various medical problems, formed a bridge foursome at the centre with a British actor, Peter Law-

ford, Desi Arnaz, jun., son of Lucille Ball, and the country singer, Johnny Cash. They played in the evenings after their long daily programmes. There was no television or telephone in their sparsely furnished rooms at the $5-million-centre — the money was provided by benefactors — to help pass away their evenings. “I was drinking too much before I entered the centre and I was sick of it,” Lawford said. Miss Minnelli, who was treated for alcohol and chemical dependency, was described by friends as looking wonderful after leaving the centre last month. Another actress, Eileen Brennan, who played a tough army officer in the film and television series, “Private Benjamin,” was treated at the centre for her dependency on drugs she

received while recovering from a serious car accident “I saw no reason to be dependent on anything other than myself,” she said. Doctors at the centre said that they treat many more celebrities than those whose presence becomes known. “Many slip in and leave unnoticed,” one said.

“We treat the problems of the famous and the average person with the same respect” said the centre’s medical director, Dr James West

Patients begin their day at 6 a.m. After chores they take “meditation” walks in the grounds before attending three lectures and taking part in group and individual therapy sessions. They also receive any medical treatment necessary. The patients are not allowed to receive visitors during their first week to help make them independent. The chores are intended to give the patients a sense of accomplishment. Each 14-hour day concludes with a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, the international organisation dedicated to helping people overcome drink problems. But the basic philosophy of the centre is that the main responsibility for recovery lies with the patient. “We believe drug and alcohol problems must be dealt with emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically,” an official said. “AH the patients are scared when they arrive,” he said. “It does not matter

whether they are famous, they all have the same feelings.”