If you noticed Pete Doherty at Heathrow, looking dishevelled with a fragrant Thai flower in his buttonhole and clutching a duty-free bag, you might assume he was returning from an indulgent vacation in Thailand.
However, the truth is that the troubled rocker was coming back from a final effort to overcome his crack and cocaine addiction at a secluded clinic in the Thai jungle.
Doherty’s, and likely his management’s, aspirations were shattered a few days prior when the 33-year-old was expelled from the prestigious The Cabin clinic in Chiang Mai due to his disruptive behavior affecting other patients.
Accompanied by his manager Andy Boyd, the father of two traveled to Thailand three weeks ago, putting a halt to several festival performances.
Initially, it appeared Doherty was benefiting from the treatment regime, which included yoga and elephant trekking; however, his behavior became problematic in the days leading up to his dismissal.
The Cabin has managed to maintain a high success rate, with fewer than twelve patients out of 300 being asked to leave over the past two years.
Doherty has struggled with drug addiction for the last decade, having entered and exited rehab since 2004.
He recently acknowledged that he continues to use heroin and crack cocaine.
While the staff at the $15,000-a-month Cabin attempted to present Doherty’s exit positively, they ultimately could not accept his disruptive actions.
Alastair Mordey, the Programme Director and a former addict himself, stated: ‘Pete was discharged today for therapeutic reasons.
‘It is essential to preserve the integrity of the treatment programme to give other clients the best possible chance for recovery.
Pete is aware of this and understands the reasons we requested his departure.’
He further remarked: ‘Although our separation from Pete is amicable, we are disappointed to see him go. We hope he can utilize some of the knowledge he gained here in the future and we look forward to the day when he chooses to consider recovery again.’
Since its inception in 2009, the Cabin has treated over 300 individuals globally, boasting a 96% programme completion rate and one of the highest recovery rates worldwide.
A former patient of the Cabin referred to the treatment and care as ‘fantastic.’
They noted: ‘At many well-known treatment centers, you are squeezed for money and don’t receive ample personal attention.
‘You cultivate an inner calm that assists you in managing the treatment process.’
A former staff member, who opted to remain unnamed, mentioned: ‘People at the clinic will grieve this occurrence since they have such an impressive success rate. It is nearly unheard of for someone to leave treatment midway.’
As part of his detox programme, Doherty engaged in a customized exercise regimen that included yoga and activities like elephant trekking, alongside 24-hour nursing and in-house medical care.
Comedian Michael Barrymore, who received treatment at The Cabin earlier this year, has publicly shared his journey to recovery, celebrating six months of being clean and sober.
