Public conversations about substance use and mental health often change when well-known individuals speak openly about their experiences. Visibility can reduce shame, increase understanding, and help others feel less alone in their own struggles.
Model and actress Cara Delevingne has shared that she reached a point where she needed help and entered rehab, describing recovery as an ongoing process rather than a single turning point. Her openness helped bring attention to the close connection between substance use and mental health.
Her story reflects an important reality: addiction rarely exists on its own. It is often linked to underlying mental health challenges that require thoughtful, long-term care.
What Cara Delevingne has shared about rehab
Delevingne has spoken publicly about realizing that her lifestyle was no longer sustainable and that she needed to step away to focus on her health. In a 2023 Vogue interview, she emphasized that, for her, seeking treatment was not about weakness but about self-awareness and survival.
By acknowledging the need for support, she highlighted a message many people struggle to accept: recovery often begins with recognizing when something is no longer working.
Why her story sparked public mental health conversations
When a public figure talks openly about rehab, it challenges the idea that addiction and mental health struggles only affect certain people.
Delevingne’s story resonated because it showed that success, visibility, and access do not protect someone from emotional distress.
Her honesty helped normalize conversations about treatment, recovery, and the importance of addressing mental health alongside substance use.
Celebrity rehab stories and mental health awareness
Stories shared by celebrities often reach people who may not otherwise engage with mental health education. These moments can create space for more open and compassionate conversations.
How high-profile stories reduce mental health stigma
When public figures speak openly, it can help others:
- Recognize the signs of distress they may have ignored
- Feel less isolated in their experiences
- Understand that addiction and mental health challenges are medical and psychological issues, not personal failures
These conversations can make it easier for individuals to consider seeking help.
The influence of celebrities on seeking treatment
High-profile stories can encourage people to explore care earlier, rather than waiting until symptoms become overwhelming. Seeing recovery framed as a process, not a dramatic event, helps set more realistic expectations for healing.
The link between substance use and mental health disorders
Substance use and mental health conditions frequently overlap.
Anxiety, depression, trauma, and mood disorders can increase vulnerability to substance use, while ongoing use can worsen emotional regulation and stress response.
This two-way relationship means that addressing only substance use without considering mental health may leave key contributors untreated.
Mental health treatment for addiction recovery
Effective recovery often involves coordinated care that addresses both emotional health and behavioral patterns.
Treatment plans may include therapy, medical support, lifestyle changes, and ongoing monitoring.
For some individuals, especially those with persistent symptoms, brain-based approaches may be explored as part of a broader care plan.
Understanding fMRI-guided TMS therapy for mental health
fMRI-guided TMS therapy is a non-invasive, brain-based treatment approach that focuses on how specific brain networks function.
Rather than relying only on symptom descriptions, this method uses functional MRI to map individual brain connectivity patterns involved in mood, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
How fMRI-guided TMS therapy works for mental health disorders
Functional MRI identifies areas of the brain that may be communicating inefficiently. Using this data, transcranial magnetic stimulation is guided to specific circuits rather than standard locations.
Targeted magnetic pulses are delivered to support healthier communication between brain regions involved in stress regulation, decision-making, and emotional balance.
Is fMRI-guided TMS effective for depression and co-occurring conditions?
Research published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that disrupted brain circuits play a role in both mood disorders and substance-related behaviors. Clinical studies have explored TMS to influence craving, emotional regulation, and executive function, though its role in addiction recovery is still being studied.
Outcomes vary between individuals, but some patients explore this approach when symptoms persist despite traditional care or when they are seeking a non-medication, brain-based option.
Common TMS therapy side effects explained
fMRI-guided TMS therapy is generally well tolerated. When side effects occur, they are typically mild and temporary.
Commonly reported effects may include:
- Scalp discomfort during treatment
- Mild headache after sessions
- Temporary fatigue
Serious side effects are rare, and patients are carefully screened before starting treatment.
What to expect during and after TMS treatment
fMRI-guided TMS therapy is delivered over a series of sessions, most often scheduled several times per week across multiple weeks. Each session is relatively short, and patients remain awake and alert throughout, with no anesthesia or recovery period required.
Before treatment begins, patients undergo functional MRI–based computational brain mapping. This advanced imaging process analyzes how different regions of the brain communicate with one another at rest and during specific activity patterns.
Rather than focusing only on brain structure, computational mapping identifies functional connectivity patterns, highlighting areas where neural networks may be underactive, overactive, or misfiring.
Using this data, clinicians design a personalized stimulation plan that targets the specific brain circuits involved in mood regulation, impulse control, stress response, or emotional processing.
During treatment, magnetic pulses are delivered to these mapped targets to help support healthier communication between brain regions. Sessions are repeated over time to encourage gradual, lasting changes in neural connectivity.
Progress is monitored regularly through clinical assessments and, when appropriate, follow-up brain imaging. Because computational brain data guide treatment, adjustments can be made if connectivity patterns shift or symptoms change. This allows care to remain flexible, personalized, and responsive rather than fixed.
After completing treatment, patients often notice gradual improvements in emotional regulation, mental clarity, or symptom intensity.
Outcomes vary among individuals, but the goal of fMRI-guided TMS therapy is to support long-term brain network stability by addressing dysfunction at the circuit level rather than just surface-level symptoms.
TMS therapy as part of mental health recovery
fMRI-guided TMS therapy is not a replacement for comprehensive care. It is often considered as one component of a broader mental health strategy.
When is TMS considered in recovery planning?
This approach may be explored when:
- Mental health symptoms persist despite therapy or medication
- Medication is not well-tolerated
- A patient prefers a non-invasive, non-medication option
- Brain-based data may help guide personalized treatment planning
Mental health care at Neurotherapeutix in NYC
Neurotherapeutix provides personalized mental health and neurological services using fMRI-guided TMS therapy to support individuals with complex mental health needs.
Located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, our clinic combines advanced neuroimaging with expert-led, compassionate care. Treatment planning is guided by individual brain connectivity patterns and clinical evaluation, ensuring care remains personalized and data-informed.
If you are exploring advanced mental health treatment options in New York City, you can request an appointment or contact our team to learn more.
Frequently asked questions about rehab, mental health, and TMS
Can mental health disorders contribute to substance use?
Yes. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma can increase vulnerability to substance use, especially when symptoms are unmanaged.
Is TMS therapy used alongside addiction recovery?
TMS may be explored as part of a broader mental health plan, especially when emotional regulation or mood symptoms remain challenging.
Are TMS therapy side effects long-lasting?
No. Most side effects are temporary and resolve shortly after sessions.
Who is a good candidate for TMS mental health treatment?
Candidates are determined through clinical evaluation and brain imaging to ensure the approach is appropriate and safe.
When should someone seek mental health treatment in NYC?
If symptoms interfere with daily life, worsen over time, or feel difficult to manage alone, professional evaluation can help guide next steps.
