This won't be Kim Richards' first time in rehab — but loved ones close to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star are praying that it will be her last.
After multiple sources confirmed to Us Weekly Tuesday that Richards, 47, had checked into an undisclosed rehab facility, pals were relieved — but not surprised.
"Kim's alcohol addiction along with other substance abuse problems has been obvious for quite some time, but it's really good that she's finally getting help," one source tells Us.
Younger sister Kyle called Kim an "alcoholic" on the explosive season-one finale, and Kim's bizarre, erratic behavior escalated during season two. "It became really obvious that Kim was not herself," the source says of the former Disney child star. "It was really just a matter of when she would enter rehab. I think everyone is actually pretty happy she's taking the proper steps forward to deal with her issues."
Adds another insider of Kim's tense dealings with Kyle, 42, older sister Kathy Hilton and other loved ones: "The relationship with everyone is so strained and it was because they weren't going to coddle Kim – she had to know when she was ready to do this…She's making the right decision."
