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Richie 'off drink recovery plan'

06/12/2007

Celebrity heiress Nicole Richie has been granted a leave of absence from her alcohol recovery programme over health concerns, according to reports.

The reality television star, who is currently pregnant, spent time in jail earlier this year over drink driving offences and was told she would have to enrol herself onto the programme.

People magazine cites Richie's representative as saying that she had been given time off the plan, which involves counselling sessions and group therapy. The publicist added the star was not receiving preferential treatment and that the offer was granted to "anyone with a medical condition of any kind".

Earlier this year, the 26-year-old was sentenced to four days in jail for a drink offence but was released after spending just 82 minutes behind bars as part of prison policy to reduce overcrowding and release prisoners deemed non-threatening to the public.

Recently Richie, the daughter of US singer Lionel Riche, and her boyfriend Joel Madden, gave away close to $200,000 (£100,000) in gifts to 100 pregnant mothers during a surprise baby shower at a clinic in Los Angeles.

They have also opened a charity registered in the city for disadvantaged children in the US and around the world.