Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of Cindy Crawford, passed away at a California rehab facility last Sunday. This incident brings attention to the complexity of substance use disorder and the challenges in addiction treatment, even for those with access to substantial resources.
Addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky has voiced concerns about current treatment practices, emphasizing the progressive and deadly nature of substance use disorder. He highlights a risky trend in modern treatment that allows patients to dictate their own care. Pinsky stated on his podcast, ‘Ask Dr. Drew,’ his worries about patients making their own treatment decisions, which he believes is detrimental.
“When I listened to [Gerber’s] video, what struck me and concerned me was that the patient seemed to be determining some of the care,” Pinsky said on his podcast.
Gerber had reportedly gone to Mexico for an ‘ibogaine flood,’ a high-dose treatment utilizing ibogaine, a psychoactive compound from an African shrub. Although studied for potential use in treating addiction, ibogaine is not FDA-approved and remains a Schedule I substance in the U.S. due to risks like fatal heart arrhythmias. Ibogaine’s use is surrounded by controversy due to its potential dangers.
Dr. Pinsky, who has observed numerous cases over decades, finds that alternative drug therapies, like ibogaine, do not guarantee success. Many patients relapse, often with changes in personality.
Pinsky warned, “I’ve had patients using ibogaine or ayahuasca for decades, and there’s nothing magic about it, I assure you.”
Gerber was pronounced dead at a Santa Monica facility on September 20, with an autopsy completed and toxicology results pending. Despite the shock that he died inside a treatment center, experts, including Pinsky, stress that high-end rehabs cannot instantly overcome severe opioid dependence. He urges families to choose licensed facilities using evidence-based, FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder.
Dr. Nicholas Kardaris, CEO of the New York Center for Living, points out that the most dangerous period for patients is during or right after rehab. He concurs with Pinsky that allowing patients to dictate their treatment can hinder recovery. Kardaris explains that a relapse in treatment can be fatal due to reduced tolerance.
Kardaris told Fox News Digital, “People are in rehab because they’re struggling with addiction. It doesn’t mean they’re cured.”
Medical experts agree that families should opt for providers offering evidence-based treatments, incorporating medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone when suitable.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office is pending official toxicology results, although emergency logs revealed a 911 call for a suspected overdose and cardiac arrest at Gerber’s facility.