The Risks of Unconventional Treatments in Addiction Recovery

When news emerged about the death of Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of Cindy Crawford, at a California rehab facility, it raised concerns about the vulnerability of individuals struggling with addiction, despite having access to extensive treatment resources.

Dr. Drew Pinsky, an addiction specialist, emphasized that Gerber’s case exemplifies the perilous path of substance use disorder. He also pointed out a modern treatment trend where patients often dictate their own care. On his podcast, “Ask Dr. Drew,” Pinsky stated, “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. That’s never good.”

Gerber’s death has sparked discussions about overdose, withdrawal, and rehab safety. He reportedly went to Mexico for an “ibogaine flood,” involving a psychoactive compound from an African shrub. While studied as a potential treatment for substance use disorders, ibogaine is not FDA-approved. Gerber was found dead at a Santa Monica recovery facility on September 20, with final toxicology results pending.

“I’ve had patients using ibogaine or ayahuasca for decades, and there’s nothing magic about it, I assure you,” Pinsky warned.

Pinsky noted that most patients attempting these alternative treatments eventually relapsed on opioids and experienced personality changes. Federal health agencies classify ibogaine as an unapproved Schedule I substance in the U.S., citing risks of fatal heart arrhythmias.

Pinsky highlighted Gerber’s case as indicative of how patients with severe substance use disorder sometimes bypass proven medical protocols for risky therapies. He accentuated that high-end rehab centers cannot miraculously cure severe opioid dependence.

“Opioid addiction is progressive and it ends in death,” Pinsky said. “Even with good treatment, it has a worse prognosis than most cancers… If they are not moving toward recovery, they are moving toward demise.”

Emergency dispatch logs indicated a 911 call for a suspected overdose and cardiac arrest at Gerber’s facility. Dr. Nicholas Kardaris, an addiction expert, cautioned that rehab or the immediate period afterward often presents the most danger for a patient. He warned against allowing patients to dictate their clinical treatments, as it can hinder recovery and produce poor outcomes.

“People are in rehab because they’re struggling with addiction. It doesn’t mean they’re cured,” Kardaris told Fox News Digital.

Experts stress the importance of seeking evidence-based treatment from qualified providers, including FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorders like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. These treatments offer a safer and more reliable path to recovery.