There’s been a flurry of reports by several news agencies over the past few hours that Tiger Woods is about to head to Arizona to enter a rehab facility for sex addiction. At least four Phoenix-area television stations are reporting it, but the blog SportsbyBrooks did some digging, and it turns out that all the reports are based on one paragraph from a story today in the London Daily Mail; and that paragraph is buried midway through the story.
So, believe this one if you will, but it seems rather shaky. From the London Daily Mail:
Meanwhile Woods, 33, was reportedly planning to go into rehab in Arizona in the New Year for treatment for ‘sexual compulsion’ and his use of Vicodin painkillers and Ambien sleeping pills.
Two of the stations reported that Woods would be treated at The Meadows, a rehab facility located a few miles outside of Phoenix. But there’s no solid verification for that either. From SportsbyBrooks:
So while Fox 10 is already backing away from its report last night — the online report contains no mention of “The Meadows” — the story is still picking up speed on NBC 12, ABC 15 and Independent 3.
And for the record, I did talk to Valerie Allen, public relations person for The Meadows today. When I asked her if Woods was coming to The Meadows, she said, “I can neither confirm not deny any reports.”
In case you’re wondering of Woods is attending rehab to save his marriage, the answer is probably no. ABC News.com is reporting that “the divorce is 100 percent on.”
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Fox/NBC/ABC News In PHX: Tiger To AZ For Rehab? [SportsbyBrooks]
Tiger Woods might be coming to Arizona soon [ABC 15]
Tiger Woods was ‘traumatised by his father’s many affairs’ [London Daily Mail]
Tiger Woods: Divorce Looms for ‘Athlete of the Decade’ [ABCNews.com]
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- Denise Burne Fein - Dec 17, 2009 at 11:41 PM
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For more information on The Meadows of Wickenburg, go to:
http://www.Break-the-Silence.org
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- Denise Burne Fein - Dec 17, 2009 at 11:42 PM
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For more detailed information on The Meadows of Wickenburg, go to the following link:
http://www.break-the-silence.org
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- Kevin C - Dec 18, 2009 at 8:26 AM
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Spokewomen, by the dozen, for the star immediately denied the claim.
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- Mark L - Dec 18, 2009 at 9:51 AM
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As someone who works in the sex addiction field this announcement is not the least surprising. The Meadows is a well known and highly respected facility treating sex addiction as well as other behavioral and drug addictions. No facility will ever say more than “I can’t confirm or deny”, that statement is required by law.
If he’s been getting good advice he’ll do the treatment for himself, not to save his marriage. Getting treatment for any addiction for any reason other than helping yourself rarely sticks. His marriage may be finished but if he indeeds has a sexual addiction, he requires long term treatment to help himself.
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- dubldoc - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:09 AM
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Just as I predicted earler, the ‘rehabilitation’ of the public persona begins… (think endorsements here)
Next, “coming to jesus”…who will star?? Jesse Jackson?? ‘Big Box’
megastar pastor??
THEN, the Oprah/talk show circuit tour to discuss his ‘recovery’
Sorry to sound cynical here, but just watch…
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- dubldoc - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:16 AM
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Agree Mark, treatment must be initiated by personal motivation, much less likely to be successful if coererced/required, ie, seeking to avoid $ loss. Even then, it is a long term process and the rate of cure is still not impressive IMHO (and yes, I work in mental health)
I’m still betting this was done for damage control, seeing as to the apparently longstanding history of lying.
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- delores wilson - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:27 AM
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Oh Good Grief! Who cares? The “spin” has started. Let’s protect the “talent”. Excuse dispicable behavior as an “addiction”. How about just saying he’s a great golfer but a sleazeball and drop it?
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- Texas Terry - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:32 AM
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Just goes to show how we as a POP Culture find great pleasure in others misery. Although Tiger stepped out, it appears Elin is in it for the money and not the love. True love will at least look to see if there is a way for forgiveness. Looks like… Elin is the new Heather McCartney— in it for the money. If so, Tiger’s stepping out may be justified.
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- Sheila C - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:32 AM
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When a woman sleeps around she’s a whore…when a male gets caught it’s a sexual addiction? Give me a break—a ho is a ho, period. I’m sure his gorgeous wife will have no problems attracting other partners, hopefully some with real integrity
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- Texas Terry - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:35 AM
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Spoken like a woman… what a bunch of bs
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- Get-A-Grip - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:35 AM
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dubldoc…wow, you’re a real positive and caring individual aren’t you? I guess you would rather see him wallow in shame and completely disappear from the public eye (to include golf) than to open up about his failures as a ‘HUMAN” and attempt to move on.
The list of men & women who were influential, respected and vitally important to the growth of this Nation (and many others), despite their personal faults, is long and varied. Think Thomas Jefferson, JFK, Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Tchaikovsky, Adam&Eve, FDR, Eisenhower, and the list could go on and on.
Let’s hope you don’t have any skeletons in your closet, because I’d sure hate to see your voice of reason disappear.
nuf sed
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- John D - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:47 AM
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Love = consistent commitment to will the good of the other. Elin moving for a divorce is good for Tiger because it more clearly represents how un-manageable his life is – the key indicator of addiction. She can always re-marry Tiger once he proves he is willing to change.
Tiger could offer to pay for sexual addiction treatment of the 14 addicts he acted out with…
The mental health pros who have commented and think there is a low cure rate are correct – he will only attain a daily repreive based on maintaining a fit spiritual condition. Anyone who wants more than that out of an addict is an immature child and their opinion should be given the same respect as that of a 4-year old opining on how an airplane flies.
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- For Heavens Sake - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:47 AM
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Defended like a Man.
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- jb - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:50 AM
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Forgiveness??? Maybe if it was once, but, multiple times. Just shows that having all the millions he has, a beautiful wife and precious children, still doesn’t make you happy. I’ll stay with my life in the midwest
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- Debbie - Dec 18, 2009 at 10:54 AM
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What do you want Tiger to do Mr. Cynical? Should he not get help, just stay hidden away? Do you not believe in rehabilitation? Tiger is a human being — he just lives a life that you cannot imagine — good, bad, ugly. He made mistakes. Obviously very embarrassing ones that seem to be destroying his life. Do you think he should just stay destroyed?
I, on the other hand, hope Tiger gets help. I hope he can have a life again. The papparazzi are surely planning he doesn’t. What would your life be like if a PR firm created a life for you that wasn’t anything like you? Rebel? Self-destruct so you could finally self-actualize?
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- Get-A-Grip - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:04 AM
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+1 !!
A few things that so many folks (media!!!) aren’t even addressing in this whole story are 1) all the good things he has done via his Tiger Woods Foundation. If he remains in exile, think of the loss this would mean to all the kids that he has helped and could help with the $$ his talent brought and 2) everybody assumes that he cheated just because he could and/or that he has a sex addition. I am NOT defending what he did, nor am I pointing a finger at Elin, but the simple fact is that if you are truly happy in a marriage/relationship, and your needs (not just physical) are being fully met, then you are less likely to look elsewhere for the emotional support that creates the opportunity.
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- Siloseven7 - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:08 AM
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You are a dunce.
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- Linda V. Westminster, CA - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:13 AM
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I think that as a black guy, he’s addicted to proving that he can score with beautiful white chicks, not just for the sex. I’ll bet that those women including his wife wouldn’t have been with him if he was unemployed and they met at the local grocery store.
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- kbocks - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:19 AM
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“He made mistakes” ????? he made a mistake 14 times? There is a cause and effect of everything. He did not respect the commitment to himself, his wife or his children, family and friends. A mistake would be something you do not intend to do. I do not see where the word “mistake” comes into his actions. A PR firm did create my life. ME! Tiger dicided to live his life the way he does.
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- DSW - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:23 AM
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This “stunt” is to serve the interests of Tiger, something else that is just about Tiger….to influence fans and sponsors. Truth is a “cheater” is like any other sexual predator…the rescidivism rate is 100%, you can rarely if ever change them….rarely, rarely, rarely.
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- MB - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:38 AM
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I suppose you’re the only one who knows what “true love” is. Good for you. It’s nice to know that someone is such an expert. You decide what’s a deal breaker in your relationships, and let the rest of the world decide their deal breakers for themselves.
And as for your comment to Sheila C, she’s right in that there’s a double standard. Neither men or women should be judged for sleeping around. Lying about it is the problem, and the only one who has a right to complain about that is the other person(s) in the relationship.
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- maya - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:40 AM
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He will do any thing to save his image.It is not for a personal healing if Tiger is going to rehab,it is only business !
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- maya - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:46 AM
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He allowed his fame and fortune to kill his soul long time ago.
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- B, Kinney - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:53 AM
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Then There Are The Thousands Of Not Only Patients, But Entire Families That Have Been Given Life And Have Been Put Back Together/Helped By The Meadows And The Staff There. My Family Included. The Meadows Is A Regular Part Of My Everyday Thoughts And I Am Forever Grateful For Their Care And Programs. While I Think Your Site Has Its Own Purpose, This Is Not The Place To Advertise It, And I Think It Is Very Rude To Do So.
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- Anthony VA - Dec 18, 2009 at 11:54 AM
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Is this news??? This is pure speculation in order to fill space. Tiger owes no one an apology. People need to stop there jealousy! Focus on your own lives!!!
