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Strict diets, yoga, and 7am wake-up calls... Inside Ronnie Wood's hardcore rehab regime

Updated 17:34pm on 6 Aug 2008



Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood on an outing from his rehabilitation clinic in Woking. Picture David Parker 6.8.08

Seeking help: Ronnie Wood gives a thumbs up outside rehab today

After six previous attempts in rehab, he is no stranger to the battle to beat addiction.

But despite humiliating his wife and family and running away with a 19-year-old cocktail waitress, Ronnie Wood has vowed this time he will change.

The 65-year-old has submitted to a punishing 16-hour daily treatment regime at a Woking rehabilitation centre after shunning the celebrity-filled Priory clinic where he has been treated without success in the past.

The exhaustive schedule includes meditation and yoga as well as a constant barrage of therapy classes and counselling sessions.

He is currently undergoing medical evaluations, psychiatric tests and even has an individualised diet plan to help him stay on the wagon.

The Rolling Stone has sought refuge in the Life Works rehab centre in Woking that boasts an 85 per cent success rate in curing alcoholics thanks to its gruelling programme, which even bans patients from having caffeine and sugar.

The star is shelling out £600 a day and has been assigned three carers who look after him and are on call 24 hours a day.

Each morning, Wood is woken for 7am hour-long meditation classes before breakfast. 

Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood on an outing with a councellor from his rehabilitation clinic in Woking.

Support: The musician enjoys a break from rehab with his counsellor

At 9.30am, patients then begin two one-and-a-half-hour intensive therapy sessions designed to ‘break the hold’ that alcohol has over them.

During the sessions, the guitarist is asked to complete written assignments detailing his progress in rehab.

He is then told to embark on an emotionally-draining group therapy session where he is asked to share his experiences with other patients.

His only opportunity to relax during the day comes after a short lunch break at midday. He has often opted for a quiet stroll around the sprawling grounds of the luxury clinic.

Ronnie Wood rehab

Lush grounds: The Life Works rehab centre in Surrey

But at all times day and night, he is under the watchful eye of at least one of three carers.

On several occasions, he has wandered into the local town of Woking with one of them.

But the afternoons offer no let-up. He is expected to attend lectures at 2pm every day, which are given by doctors and detail the dangers of alcoholism.

Wood is required to sit and watch a series of videos designed to warn about the effects of alcohol.

Ronnie Wood rehab

A place to collect your thoughts: The lounge room in the house

Immediately after, he has been embarking on rigorous yoga sessions and tai chi – a form of heavy exercise.

An evening meal at 6pm is then followed by another group counselling session, this time with counsellors from Alcoholics Anonymous.

The day finally ends with a group therapy session at 11pm in which patients review their progress over the day.

A source at the clinic said: ‘There’d be no point in paying £600 a day just to lie around the grounds all day. Patients have the benefit here of expert care.

'Everyone gets treated the same and you wouldn’t notice who the celebrities were if you were to walk around. There are some people who are not used to what happens in here but everyone settles down pretty quickly. They are well looked after.’

Ronnie Wood rehab

Ronnie wood bedroom

Patients are forced to share bedrooms

The guitarist has managed to survive the gruelling itinerary for the past four weeks and is expected to continue for a further month.

However his stay is made all the more difficult and challenging as the clinic has been strictly vetting all visitors who have arrived to see the star.

His wife Jo has so far stayed away from the clinic with staff claiming that guests are carefully controlled so as not to distract Wood in his bid to stay sober.

Guests that are allowed in are also carefully monitored during their stay at the facility and are only allowed by appointment.

EKATERINA IVANOVA
Jo wood

Tough decision: Ronnie is struggling to choose between wife Jo and his young mistress

Reader views (1)

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If I had a wife like he has, why look anywhere else would be my motto.
But being a Rolling Stone.

- Don, whangarei, new zealand, 06/08/2008 23:57
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