Why Did Kim Richards Go To Rehab?

It has been a trying few weeks for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kim Richards. On April 16, she was arrested at the Beverly Hills Hotel on charges of trespassing, public intoxication, resisting an officer, and battery on an officer. And on April 26, People reported that the reality star had checked herself herself to rehab. She has struggled publicly with alcoholism in the past, but what is Kim Richards going to rehab for, if the reports are true?

A source allegedly close to Richards revealed to People that Richards' reported decision has a lot to do with her arrest. "Kim went to rehab finally because she got arrested, she humiliated her kids and she wants to avoid jail," said the source. "If the arrest hadn't happened she wouldn't be going to rehab; it would be business as usual." That doesn't answer our question entirely, but we know that Richards has historically had trouble with alcohol. This is reportedly her fourth stint in rehab. Bustle has reached out to Richard's rep for comment.

In an interview with Dr. Phil that aired on April 28, she said, "I am an alcoholic... I just want to do the right thing, and I want to be the strongest I can be." She also confessed that, contrary to what she insisted on the RHOBH reunion about not drinking in three years, she has had wine. "I did have drinks a couple other times over the past few months. It was wine. I was ashamed to say anything at the reunion, embarrassed," she told Dr. Phil.

In addition to facing her addiction, she also has the added stress of caring for her ex-husband Monty Brinson, who is currently battling cancer. "She is under a lot of pressure," said the source, "especially because of Monty."

It goes without saying that watching your loved one struggle with a terminal illness is traumatic. And this isn't even the first time Richards has gone through such an ordeal. She took care of her mother before she passed away in 2002 of breast cancer. In the same Dr. Phil interview, Richards confessed that she started "drinking at night" while she was caring for her mom.

While Richards has yet to confirm the reports herself, we can guess that — if she is in rehab — she is likely treating her alcoholism and facing extreme stress. We wish her all the best, and hope for her speedy recovery.

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