Kirsten Dunst Speaks Out on Rehab

By: Shannon Gossage

It was originally reported that Dunst, 26, checked into the facility to seek treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, but she now says that she sought treatment to battle depression. She reportedly said in an exclusive interview with E! Online, "I didn’t go to Cirque Lodge for alcohol abuse or drug abuse. I went there for depression." She said that she decided to come clean about her battle with the disease because there were so many untrue rumors out there. She said, "There’s been a lot of misrepresentation about what is going on in my life, and it’s been very painful for my friends and family. Everyone feels like they have to defend me. They hear the rumors, and it puts them in a defensive position. Now that I’m feeling stronger, I was prepared to say something."

Dunst checked into Utah’s Cirque Lodge Treatment Center in early February at the urging of her friends and family. A source said at the time that she was "not doing well." Dunst reportedly was acting really erratic at the Sundance Film Festival leading people to wonder if she was headed for a breakdown. At the time, Dunst’s rep insisted that she was fine.

Dunst said in her recent interview, "It was a good six months before I decided to go away. I was struggling and I had the opportunity to go somewhere and take care of myself. I was fortunate to have the resources to do it. My friends and family thought it was a good idea, too. But I didn’t know where to go. My doctor recommended Cirque Lodge." She also said, "Depression is pretty serious and should not be gossiped about." Dunst is currently filming the movie All Good Things in New York starring opposite Ryan Gosling.