Released on: March 8, 2008, 11:49 am

Press Release Author: Arbor Books

Industry:

Press Release Summary: Lindsay, Britney, Paris, Nicole, Mischa-the list goes on and
on. Are all of America's young superstars addicted to drugs and alcohol?


Press Release Body: (OAK RIDGE, NJ)-"People in the entertainment business are
introduced to illicit substances so early in life," says Stephen Della Valle, author
of the new book Rising Above the Influence and president of the board at Turning
Point rehabilitation center. "Before they realize it, drinking and using drugs
becomes a way of life. And if they're not careful, they end up in one of three
places: rehab, jail or a coffin."

Hollywood is no stranger to substance abuse. But with today's level of media
scrutiny, thanks to paparazzi and the Internet, the subject is getting more
attention than ever. These days, it's commonplace to see even underage stars getting
busted for DUI and spending a day or two in jail, or a week in a rehabilitation
facility.

"It's sad that many of them never get a chance to live a clean life," says Mr. Della
Valle. "Many stars are given access to drugs and alcohol at a young age, and it's
tough to break those habits once they're started-especially when you work in an
industry with so much pressure and so little real accountability."

Young celebrities have long battled addictions in Tinseltown. Some of the more
famous cases include:

· Drew Barrymore-started drinking at nine, used marijuana at ten and cocaine
at twelve; was in rehab by thirteen

· Lindsay Lohan-entered the Cirque Lodge rehab just after turning twenty-one

· River Phoenix-died of a drug overdose outside a nightclub at the age of
twenty-three

· Brad Renfro-battled a heroin addiction that recently cost him his life at
the age of twenty-five

Mr. Della Valle is no stranger to this phenomenon either, having picked up his
first drink at the age of twelve. He spent over twenty years as a drug addict and
alcoholic before finally committing himself to a recovery program and turning his
life around.

"Everyone has their 'bottom," he says, "their own point where they look at their
life and think, Things just can't get any worse. It's sad that so many people in
Hollywood hit that bottom so young."

Stephen Della Valle is president of the board of directors at Turning Point
rehabilitation center in Verona, New Jersey. Currently celebrating twenty years of
sobriety, he lives in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife, Donna. He has three
children.

Rising Above the Influence is available now (ISBN: 0-9801776-0-X; softcover; Oak
Ridge Press) on Amazon.com, Borders.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and at fine bookstores
everywhere.




Web Site: http://arborbooks.com

Contact Details: Arbor Books
19 Spear Road, #301
Ramsey, NJ 07446
877-822-2500
info@arborbooks.com