Nicholas Brendon knows he needs some help, and he’s going to get it. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, 44, wrote on Facebook on Saturday, Oct. 17, that he’ll be going to rehab to get his life back in order.
“I’m going to be going into a 90 day treatment program to fix myself and to understand the traumas of my mind,” the actor wrote in the first post, which was addressed to fans. He also promised to write again before entering treatment.
“If I can help just one person by sharing my struggles and how I’m battling them, then it’s all completely worth it,” he continued in a second status update. “It’s been bad for me the last three years, and I’ve had failed attempts at suicide. I really just want to live and love and be filled with joy.”
The past year has indeed been rough for the Criminal Minds actor, who was arrested four times in an eight-month period. The latest incident occurred in late September, after he allegedly got into a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. Police in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., told Us that Brendon allegedly “grabbed [his girlfriend] by the throat and choked her,” and that he also reportedly threw her cell phone into the road. He was charged with third-degree robbery, two counts of criminal mischief, and one count of obstruction of breathing. Police said “alcohol was involved.”
In February and March, the actor was arrested for reportedly trashing hotel rooms while he was under the influence. He was arrested again in May for public intoxication.
The troubled actor also sat down with Dr. Phil in August for an episode that was to air in September, but walked off the set mid-interview because he “felt that Dr. Phil went for the jugular” in talking about the legal issues he’s had this year, as well as time he spent in rehab to treat his depression and substance abuse issues.
After the interview aired, Brendon took to Facebook to slam the episode. “By no means am I a perfect person, but I am also not the monster as portrayed by this show,” he wrote. “I am actively participating in treatment and remaining positive in the light of negativity.”
During the short chat, the actor revealed to Dr. Phil that depression is the cause of his issues with alcohol.
Brendon had checked into a treatment center to seek help for depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse in June. He also went to rehab in 2004 and 2010.
