The Bon Jovi guitarist spent a month at the Cirque Lodge treatment facility in Utah following his divorce from wife Heather Locklear, separation from girlfriend Denise Richards and death of his father Adam in 2007 and pals say Richie realised on his latest tour with the band that he needs some time out to regain his sobriety and deal with exhaustion.
A source told RadarOnline.com: "Richie recently has been drinking too much, and wants to get his life together. Richie has had a busy year. I think this was a culmination of all the things that overloaded his life and finally he realised he needed to take care of himself."
Although the 52-year-old musician reportedly has the support of his bandmates – Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres and David Bryan – it is unclear how his decision will affect the group as they are set to play a series of concerts in the UK this summer.
After leaving Cirque Lodge in 2007, Richie said: "I was just drinking too much and I needed to get my life together. I'm still in therapy and stuff like that, but it's good. I'm great. I feel fine."
Richie and Heather currently share custody of their 13-year-old daughter Ava.
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