The idea of “rehab” gets a little muddier every day. What is supposed to be a place where admitted addicts go to begin recovery for physical and psychological addictions is becoming synonymous with a timeout corner that the rich and famous use to show that they’re sorry for being naughty. The publicists and image mechanics of Hollywood use rehab as if it were a transgression eraser. Mr. A-List yelled at the valet guy in front of the paparazzi? He must need rehab! Yesterday’s pop idol cheated on her husband? Clearly rehab. In actuality, he probably just needs to apologize and leave a better tip next time, and she needs to get out of what may have never been a happy union. Rehabilitation is not meant to erase the past or “fix” mistakes. Rehab helps addicts understand what got them there so they can have a different future.

The same story has run through the news what seems like 1,000 times. A young actor, beauty queen, socialite or sports figure gets caught one time doing something scandalous or inappropriate and checks into rehab immediately thereafter. The publicist puts out a release that proclaims that the star has inner demons to conquer and has opted to go to rehab for a new start. There is only one problem with that: he or she probably isn’t an addict.

This pattern of behavior follows that of a college freshman tasting freedom for the first time more than it does a true addict. Does one incident of public drunkenness or disorderly conduct make anyone an addict in need of rehab? No. It just means that he or she got caught doing disreputable things. The scare of it usually leads to a teary-eyed national apology and change in behavior. Addicts don’t straighten up after one bad experience.

There are two issues here that seem like the same thing but offer very different consequences. The distinction is between substance abuse and chemical dependency. Ninety-five percent of people who get into trouble for drinking too much or experimenting with drugs are substance abusers. The test to determine if someone is an addict consists of one question: Does the individual repeatedly do things that are personally damaging without regard for the consequences? A person who gets a DUI and realizes that behavior like that is dangerous is a substance abuser. The person who continues to disregard consequences after a bad experience or scare is chemically dependent on the substance.

I am not condoning substance abuse by any means. It only takes one time drunk behind the wheel to kill yourself or someone else. I am pointing out, however, that for someone without the predisposition toward addiction, the behavior can be easy to change and doesn’t require a long-term treatment plan. They wise up on their own and make better decisions. An addict wakes up in the morning and immediately wonders where the drug is going to come from. Addicts spend all of their money on their drug, and, when the money runs out, they will go into debt for it. Addicts rarely have the capacity to make a good decision like staying in and studying for tomorrow’s final rather than going out and chasing a high. Substance abusers usually retain the ability to say no when life points out a good incentive to do so. The addict requires treatment and a 12-step program. The abuser deserves punishment proportionate to the offense committed, but rehab is not usually necessary.

Help is available for people who genuinely struggle with addiction. There is a dedicated, compassionate network of specialists and recovering addicts throughout this country who can offer assistance and guidance to those who are ready for it. Addicts who stay clean and sober are some of the strongest and most dedicated people in the world.

Treatment programs offer real assistance to people who need help. They exist for that reason. Timeout rehab, on the other hand, is just an extended vacation and an attempt to save face. There is no saving face in real addiction. Addicts who get to the point that they ask for help usually have no “face” left. They’re at their bottom and they have lost or will lose everything. They are incredibly brave for letting go of pride and finding assistance, and they certainly aren’t looking for a vacation. They’re looking for a new life.

Rehab is not supposed to be a timeout; it’s the start of a whole new game.