The Real Housewives Of New York City's Luann De Lesseps Back In Rehab
Luann de Lesseps checks herself back into rehab. The reality star seeks professional help for the second time in as many months for alcohol issues.
Seeking Professional Help
The 53-year-old The Real Housewives of New York City Star star is getting treatment again after attending an alcohol treatment program last winter. She has authorized co-star Bethenny Frankel to speak to the press on her behalf, according to PEOPLE.
Frankel confirmed de Lesseps will not be attending the upcoming reunion special for the show, so she can seek professional help.
"Luann is ... surrounded by a core group of people who truly have her best interests at heart and who are working to make sure she gets the help she needs," advised Frankel.
According to de Lesseps' co-star, Bravo has been very supportive of her during this difficult time. Everybody in her life is standing with de Lesseps.
The network confirmed she would not be taping the season 10 reunion, and released a statement in relation to her rehab stint.
"Bravo supports Luann's decision to focus on her health. She is part of the Bravo family and we continue to stand by her," it read in part.
Frankel explained that her friend is making this difficult decision to solidify her future, and for the betterment of her health.
De Lesseps has recently been playing sold-out cabaret shows at NYC's Feinstein's/54 Below, which were critically well-received across the board. Frankel acknowledged that de Lesseps loves performing, but she needs to get help so the show can go on, as it was.
Legal Troubles
The revelation that the Real Housewives stalwart will return to rehab comes hot on the heels of a recent lawsuit lodged by her ex-husband, Alexandre de Lesseps, and their two children, Victoria and Noel.
The trio filed legal proceedings against her in relation to an $8 million house sale. De Lesseps allegedly breached their divorce agreement by neglecting to give her kids anything from the sale of the marital home.
Frankel confirmed that her family situation was part of the reason the Countess decided to go into rehab. She first attended the program following her arrest in December, which occurred after de Lesseps attacked a police officer in Palm Beach.De Lesseps rejected a plea deal back in February.
The reality star released a statement as she checked herself into treatment and acknowledged how embarrassed she was. She confirmed that she was voluntarily seeking professional help.
An Ongoing Issue
De Lesseps completed the alcohol treatment program in January of this year. She posted a photo earlier this month celebrating six months of sobriety alongside Alexandre.
She admitted to ET in April of this year that she was using alcohol to numb the pain.
"I was using alcohol to numb myself, and now that I'm aware of that, I don't foresee that I am going to have this problem again. Right now, I'm just not into drinking, because I feel so much happier without it," explained de Lesseps at the time.
Close friends of the Countess reportedly held an intervention just a few weeks ago, but were unsuccessful in their attempts, according to a source close to the reality star. They were even considered she might hurt herself.
Thankfully, it seems de Lesseps has since taken the necessary steps to get better.
