‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Star Nicholas Brendon Enters Rehab For Depression, Alcoholism And Substance Abuse

Former “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Nicholas Brendon is on the road to recovery. The actor entered a California rehab facility Monday to treat depression, alcoholism and substance abuse, a statement on his Facebook page read. The 44-year-old has struggled with “underlying issues of his illness.” In the past year, he has been arrested three times for charges that include grand theft, public intoxication and criminal mischief, People magazine wrote.

The full post is provided in its entirety below:

“Earlier today, with the support of his professional team, his friends and his family, Nicky entered a rehabilitation facility in California to treat his depression, alcoholism and substance abuse problems. He’s taking the steps necessary to better his health and give himself, and his fans, the gift of a healthy lifestyle.

He has been aware of his problems for some time -- and with each new challenge, he gained a greater understanding of what needed to be done to overcome these obstacles and move forward with his life. Since his arrest last October, Nicky had tried several treatment methods -- from therapy, to outpatient services -- only to realize recently that he needed to take an extended break and treat the underlying issues of his illnesses.

Nicky will not be attending any events during the months of June and July -- but has plans to return to the circuit in late summer after he has successfully completed his treatment program. We ask that this page be filled with positive messages as we support Nicky on his road to recovery. Words of encouragement can be emailed to us at publicity@bloodybombshell.com so that we may forward them to him during his time away.

Thank you for all of your love and support of all things Nicky.

Xo -- Andrea Albin//BBE”

The first half of 2015 hasn’t been an easy period for the actor. He split from wife Moonda Tee in February. They married five months ago. "I am officially announcing that Nicholas and his wife, Moonda Tee, have parted ways," a rep for the actor wrote in a statement. "Nicholas expressed that Moonda is truly a 'beautiful person' and that he 'wishes her the best that life has to offer.' ”

A month later, Brendon said he abused drugs and alcohol because of his depression, which stemmed from being molested as a child, in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat.

Though Brendon is best-known for his role as Xander Harris on the 1997-2003 series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” he also appeared on “Criminal Minds” from 2007 to 2014. He played Kevin Lynch, an analyst with the FBI in Quantico, Virginia, who dated Penelope Garcia, played by Kirsten Vangsness.

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