Britney Spears is apparently going the route of Robbie Williams and getting railed on Coke (-a-cola), reportedly running on a 24-can per diem. Do modern rehabs condone trading in pills and powder for 36 or so double espressos a day?

No, says Chris Prentiss, codirector and founder of the Passages Malibu drug treatment center. Apparently, excessive caffeine and cigarette use can "trigger the addictive response" and may produce a high similar to methamphetamine. Furthermore, drinking more than five sodas a day could be termed "caffeine abuse."

Taken in the context of the Anna Nicole tragedy and the alarming rash of rehab admissions among young abusers in Hollywood, a java jones (even a wicked one) seems like the most positive Hollywood trend since the Toyota Prius or colonics. Starbucks, not coincidentally, isn't wasting any time in expanding its empire.

Photo: Splash News & Picture Agency