Crack-smoking Toronto Mayor Rob Ford behaved like an out-of-control “bully” during his stint in rehab and was even kicked out of group therapy, according to a published report.
While Ford has spoken glowingly about progress he made during a two-month rehab stint, other patients said he was combative and a constant disruption at GreeneStone near Bala, Ontario.
“Ford broke things, got into fights with other residents,” one source with knowledge of the mayor’s rehab told the Toronto Star newspaper.
The rampaging mayor was particularly disruptive during group therapy when patients poured their hearts out about struggles with substance abuse.
“Ford stopped people from sharing their stories, which is key to a successful rehab experience,” said another source. “Other residents felt intimidated. They felt he was a bully. He was always saying he did not belong there.”
Cops had to respond to a disturbance at GreeneStone once during Ford’s time there, but it was not clear whether the Toronto mayor was involved in the incident.
Ford has admitted to struggling with crack cocaine and booze.
The newspaper report seems to contradict Ford’s version of his rehab experience.
“I went and got professional, professional help at GreeneStone,” Ford told Toronto’s Newstalk 1010 host Jerry Agar last week.
“I believe it’s the best one in the world. And they taught me exactly the problem it was with me.”
The paper said it interviewed a patient, a rehab staffer and other sources close to GreeneStone.
GreeneStone Healthcare president Shawn Leon declined to answer questions about Ford’s stay.
“With regards to Mayor Ford’s conduct and how it affected other residents at GreeneStone, we simply cannot comment,” Leon told the Toronto Star.
“We take patient care and confidentiality very seriously, and as such, cannot comment on our patients or their treatment.”
While Leon would not speak specifically about Ford, he cryptically said that “some individuals are not necessarily group-ready.”
“We are not paid enough to deal with this guy,” one counselor said to another about Ford, the paper reported.
“Rob Ford literally had the run of the place. There were no rules around Rob Ford,” said another source.