Singer Mel B to Seek Treatment in a Rehabilitation Facility for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol addiction, and sex addiction issues.
Mel B Seeks Therapy for PTSD and Addictions
After a tumultuous few years, Mel B, the former Spice Girls star, is taking a step towards healing. She has announced that she will be entering a UK-based therapy center next month to tackle her alcohol and sex addictions, which she attributes to her history of trauma and abusive relationships.
The news comes after Mel B's bitter nine-month divorce battle with her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte, was finalized last December. The settlement, reached in court, aimed to resolve children and financial issues between the two. Mel B was ordered to pay Belafonte $5,000 a month in child support for their daughter Madison, and to pay $350,000 in legal fees. However, she claims that the long-drawn-out split has left her more than $3 million in debt, and the IRS has started garnishing her salary to pay off back taxes.
The couple's marriage fell apart in March last year when Mel filed for divorce and took out a domestic violence restraining order against Belafonte. Belafonte has denied all allegations made by Mel B, including domestic violence, embezzlement, and keeping her drugged during their marriage. The settlement includes exceptions for Madison's school events, extra-curricular activities, and teacher conferences, and neither parent will make disparaging remarks to Madison about the other parent.
Mel B and Stephen Belafonte will split vacation and school holiday time with Madison. However, Belafonte expressed disappointment that his request for step visitation with Mel's daughter by Eddie Murphy, Angel, was not part of the agreement.
Mel B's diagnosis of PTSD and her rehab for alcohol and sex addictions are tied closely to her experience of trauma and abuse throughout the 2010s and beyond. She has been public about seeking treatment and rebuilding her life, with a current focus on healing and family reconnection documented in 2025. However, no exact dates or clinical details of her diagnosis and rehab timelines are noted in the sources available.
Mel B's estranged husband, Stephen Belafonte, has moved on and is reportedly dating a new partner. He lives in Los Angeles, while Mel B has chosen to live a quieter life on a farm near Leeds, England, where she has found peace and is rebuilding her life after recovery efforts.
The settlement between Mel B and Stephen Belafonte also includes a provision that neither party will be within 200 yards of each other. As Mel B embarks on her journey towards healing, she expresses her desire to be a 'better version' of herself for her children, Phoenix Chi Gulzar, Angel Iris Murphy Brown, and Madison Brown Belafonte.
References:
[1] Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/c-ptsd
[2] Mel B's Journey to Recovery: Overcoming PTSD, Alcohol and Sex Addictions. (2025, May 1). Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/17532461/mel-b-ptsd-alcohol-sex-addiction-recovery/
[4] Mel B's Life: From Spice Girls to PTSD and Divorce. (2021, March 23). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56519645
- Mel B's public journey towards recovery involves tackling her PTSD, alcohol, and sex addictions, which stem from a history of trauma and abusive relationships.
- The BBC reports that Mel B has been candid about her treatment and efforts to rebuild her life, with a focus on healing and family reconnection.
- In 2025, The Sun shared updates on Mel B's recovery, emphasizing her determination to be a 'better version' of herself for her children.
- Healthline offers insights into Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) symptoms, causes, and treatment, which may be relevant to Mel B's case.
- While Mel B's estranged husband, Stephen Belafonte, has moved on, Mel B has found peace and tranquility on a farm near Leeds, England.
- In the realm of celebrity news and entertainment, Mel B's personal struggles and subsequent recovery have been widely discussed.
- The cultural significance of mental health topics, such as PTSD, alcohol and sex addictions, and women's health, is prominent in discussions surrounding Mel B's journey to recovery.