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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Ap Correspondent

Britney Spears enters treatment facility after driving under the influence arrest

Britney Spears has reportedly entered a substance abuse treatment facility, just over a month after her arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

A representative for the 44-year-old pop superstar confirmed to the Associated Press on Sunday that she had voluntarily checked herself in.

The incident occurred on March 5 when California Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of a BMW driving erratically on U.S. 101 in Ventura County.

Ms Spears, who resides locally, underwent field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs. She was released several hours after being taken to a county jail.

Investigators referred the case to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on March 23, with a decision on charges expected before a court date scheduled for May 4. At the time of her arrest, a representative described Ms Spears’ actions as “completely inexcusable,” expressing hope it would be “the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life.”

“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” the representative said. “Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law, and hopefully this can be the first step in long-overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life.”

Britney Spears was arrested on suspicion of DUI last month (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

The statement continued: “Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.

“Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for wellbeing.”

Ms Spears has largely stepped back from her music career, having not toured in nearly eight years or released an album in almost a decade.

Her conservatorship, which lasted almost 14 years, was dissolved in 2021, allowing her to regain control of her life and finances. She later published the bestselling memoir, The Woman in Me.

Concern over her wellbeing has continued in recent years due to issues such as her erratic social media behaviour.

She also wrote about being estranged from her two sons, 20-year-old Sean Preston Federline and 19-year-old Jayden James Federline, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Kevin Federline. However, she posted about being reunited with Jayden around Christmas 2024.

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