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Joel likens Betty Ford Centre to a concentration camp

2 months ago 18th Jul 21:01

Billy Joel has admitted to hating his 2005 stint at the Betty Ford Center in California - because the clinic was like a "concentration camp".

The Piano Man singer checked into the famous Rancho Mirage rehabilitation clinic in a bid to kick his alcohol dependency and admits the experience was a tough one.

He tells Details magazine, "I hated it. It was like a concentration camp - well, I can't say that, I've never been in a concentration camp. But, for me, it was.

"There's a lot of dogma that goes with it, and there's the whole AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) thing, and for a lot of people that works. I didn't necessarily follow that".

It might not have been the best experience but it helped Joel battle his demons: "It was good. I dried out. And it was probably one of the best things I ever did, because I realised I was just drinking too much, and I really don't need to do that.

"Once in a blue moon, I'll have a glass of wine. But I'm very afraid of going beyond that. I don't want to be out of control".

Billy Joel

Billy Joel

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