Hollywood star Mel Gibson is nursing a new heartbreak - a second son has reportedly checked into rehab. Just three months after his 25 year-old son Edward checked into rehab for drink and drug problems, his twin brother Christian has checked into the same center.
According to US tabloid The Enquirer, Christian entered rehab to battle his addiction to crack, pills and booze.
Edward was admitted to the Cri-Help centre in North Hollywood back in September 2007.
Now the Enquirer claims that Christian also checked in just before Christmas.
Mad Max star Gibson, who was himself ordered to enroll in an alcohol abuse program after his DUI arrest and anti-semitic rant back in July 2006, is footing the bill.
He has been paying $5,500 a month for each twin in a bid to help them recover.
The costs are far less than the usual $25,000 - $30,000 it costs to stay in such celebrity friendly rehab centres like Promises in Malibu.
Truck driver Tom Paige was in Cri-Help rehab centre at the time when both twins were being treated.
Paige, 40, from a resident at the centre from September 2007 to earlier this month and met both Gibson boys.
He told the Enquirer that both twins checked into the center voluntarily after their famous dad got tough with them.
Paige told the Enquirer: "Christian was still in there when I left.
"He entered in December after he was thrown out of a house he'd been staying at in Malibu for not paying his rent.
"He told me he'd been homeless and living in his cart - and that he was addicted to crack, pills and alcohol.
"His brother Eddie entered first for a month in September, with alcohol and cocaine addiction."
Eddie was discharged in October but he still continued to attend twice weekly 'alumni meetings' which included bingo games.
Paige chatted to the twins and watched them together - and told the Enquirer that the Gibson boys had not always been a model of brotherly love.
Paige added: "Eddie and his brother were not speaking after they fought in a nightclub over something stupid.
"Eddie knocked his brother out. Now they've kissed and made up and Christian showed me the scar on his lip."
Both of Gibson's sons seem to have finally conquered their battle with drink and drugs.
But Paige told the Enquirer that they were both in a 'poor shape' when they first checked into Cri-Help.
He said: "Eddie was a mess. He didn't speak to anyone for days, he had his sweater hood over his head for the first 48 hours.
"One time when I asked Eddie how his dad was, he laughed grimly and said: 'Well he hasn't f***** up lately!'
"Christian had a thick beard and was only 120 pounds. He put on 30 pounds while being treated."
Father of seven Gibson and his wife Robyn visited the twins regularly added Paige: "When they came for Halloween and one of the patients in a play was dressed as a warrior with a sword, Mel said: 'That guy was great!'
"And the family was also there for Christmas dinner. All I saw was love and laughter.
"Gibson obviously wants his boys to beat their demons and not get into any of the troubles that he did."
By Nicola Pittam, Jan 23 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy
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