By Buzzle Staff and Agencies - Published: 6/25/2002

Billy Joel has checked himself into rehabilitation at the Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut for chemical dependency. 

Joel had to put concert dates for his Face to Face Tour 2002 with Elton John on hold for now. Sources report that he was admitted to the center to receive treatment for "an undisclosed substance abuse problem." The hospital wouldn’t confirm if Joel had checked in or not because of patient confidentiality. Sony Entertainment, Joel’s record label, initially blamed the cancellations on illness, stating he suffered from acute laryngitis, inflamed vocal cords and an upper-respiratory infection. It was later revealed on Wednesday that he had checked into the clinic to deal with a "personal problem." 

There have been many reports of suspected alcohol abuse and it has been reported that at a concert in March, Joel appeared to have been drinking and/or drugging and almost fell asleep at the piano, seemingly forgetting words to one of his most famous songs, "Piano Man." He has been accused of being "washed out." 

Joel, 53, is the latest in a long list of celebrities to have entered rehab. Diana Ross, Ben Affleck, Mariah Carey, Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Jr. are among those who have sought treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse recently. Another popular rehab center is Promises in Malibu. Is life in the limelight just so stressful that stars can’t handle it? Is it an excuse for a mini-vacation to rest and take a break from Hollywood? Maybe the problem is having too much all the time and not knowing when to draw the line.