Former SW Ranches Commissioner Helps Dennis Rodman Overcome Alcohol

Dennis Rodman

BY BUDDY NEVINS

 

Former Southwest Ranches Commissioner Don Maines is proof there is life after politics.

For Maines, there also is a modicum of fame after politics.  That’s due to one of his famous rehab patients Dennis Rodman.

Rodman has been talking up Maines in the national media. 

A few weeks ago he mentioned Maines on the Jay Leno’s Tonight Show. Today Rodman was discussing Maines on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius/XM radio.

Maines has been Rodman’s rehab counselor for about a year. 

A former professional basketball star turned professional wild man, Rodman was recently kicked off the Celebrity Apprentice TV show.   Apparently drinking was involved and friends advised him to reenter rehab.

The story is here.

“That was just for the ratings, Rodman told Stern on Monday.

Still, he told Stern that he wanted to return to his Fort Lauderdale home to see Maines.

Rodman said that he had been drinking on-and-off to excess for years. 

Maines had nothing but good things to say about Rodman.

Long-time fodder for the tabloids because of his antics, Rodman was married to Carmen Electra and dated Madonna.

“Dennis is a good guy.  I like him.  He’s a very likable guy.  We have been making progress, Maines says.

But Maines says Rodman’s rehabilitation has been hampered by his celebrity.  To earn a living, Rodman is traveling constantly.

“He’s away (from his rehab program) too much, Maines says.

The two met after Rodman was charged with domestic violence in Los Angeles about a year ago.  He asked to return to Fort Lauderdale to enter rehab and the court gave him Maines’ name.

The story of his Los Angeles arrest is here.

Maines has been a fixture in rehabilitation circles for years.

He helped start Broward’s felony drug court with former Judge Robert Fogan.  He is one of the founders of the Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC) and remains active in the group.

Living in Southwest Ranches, it should be no surprise that one of Maines’ techniques is the use of equine therapy.  Maines is a horse rider who is involved with the Davie rodeo.

Don Maines

The theory is that when patients take care of horses, it improves their social and emotional functions.

It works with Rodman, according to Maines:

“Dennis calms down when he is around the horses. 

 



3 Responses to “Former SW Ranches Commissioner Helps Dennis Rodman Overcome Alcohol”

  1. JT says:

    I am an alcoholic. Don Maines saved my life. I would be dead by now if not for Don. Dennis Rodman couldn’t have a more wonderful, caring counselor. One day at a time.

  2. OMGosh!!! says:

    Don Maines is a wonderful human being and he’s a great person to do what he does for Alcoholics. He knows, understands and tries very hard to do the right thing, which works. He knows because he’s been there, done that and knows the consequences. People should trust him to the utmost!

  3. I. P. Freely says:

    Via Page Six:

    DENNIS RODMAN DOESN’T PAY

    May 12, 2009 —

    THE night after Dennis Rodman and his entourage reportedly walked out on a $1,000 bill at the Gansevoort South in Miami — a claim he denied — the former NBA great and 10 friends pulled the same trick at restaurant Philippe at the same hotel, Page Six has learned. “He was so wasted he couldn’t carry a sentence,” said one witness. After consuming $1,500 worth of food and drinks, “Dennis sneaks, or I should say stumbled, out of the restaurant. Then, his friends start leaving . . . until the manager picked up on it and presented the bill to the last three guests at the table.” After many phone calls, and the arrival of police, the bill was paid. Rodman’s rep did not return our call.

    http://www.nypost.com/seven/05122009/gossip/pagesix/dennis_rodman_doest_pay_168763.htm