Jersey Shore: Family Vacation star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro checked himself into rehab earlier this year due to his chaotic lifestyle. He recently said he was tired of the way he was feeling and so he decided to admit himself to a wellness center.
Fans of MTV’s Jersey Shore have watched Ortiz-Magro’s relationship with his baby mama, Jen Harley, unravel in the public eye. The two - who began dating in 2017 and welcomed their daughter, Ariana, in 2018 - have frequently made headlines for their blowout, and often violent, arguments. Harley was arrested for battery earlier this year, five months after Ortiz-Magro accused her of hitting him in the face during an argument in Las Vegas, throwing an ashtray at his head. It was this fight that made Ortiz-Magro realize he had to turn his life around.
The Jersey Shore star decided to fly home to see his dad following his argument with Harley. His father, who also went through similar issues in his 20s and 30s, told his son that he’d end up in jail or rehab if things continued as they were. That made Ortiz-Magro realize he needed to get some help. He said he didn’t want to repeat the same patterns as his dad, and expose his 15-month-old daughter to things that she shouldn’t be seeing at such a young age. On the latest episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, a spinoff of Jersey Shore, Ortiz-Magro said he realized in January that he didn’t “want to live like this anymore” and that he was tired of “being depressed” and “making really bad decisions,” and so he checked himself into a wellness center.
At the HeadWaters holistic treatment center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he stayed for about a month, Ortiz-Magro underwent therapy and anger management to treat alcohol abuse and depression, according to People. He knew it was important to remove himself from “a toxic situation,” referring to his relationship with Harley, and focus on himself. Ortiz-Magro added that he wants to take care of himself first - and not rely on other people or substances - in order to be a better role model for his daughter. He wants Ariana to be proud of him, but admitted he needed help before that could happen. Ortiz-Magro said he wants to not only be a better father, but a better “person and friend.”
It’s good to see Ortiz-Magro finally getting the help he needs. Hopefully, after taking the time to work on himself, he’ll be able to be a better caregiver for his daughter. It’s also important for others to hear his story, and know that it’s okay to seek treatment for mental health issues rather than self medicate with drugs and alcohol. Fans will be happy to know that he’s getting better and can follow his journey the rest of the season on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.
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Jersey Shore: Family Vacation airs Thursdays at 8pm EST on MTV.
Source: People
