Comedian Artie Lange is in holding at Essex County Jail in Newark, New Jersey, to “sober up” before being transferred to a “long term treatment facility” in a few days, according to his Twitter account.
Lange reported for a drug test in Newark’s Superior Court Wednesday after violating his probation, and he, for the second time in six weeks, tested positive for cocaine, NJ.com reported. The site said his attorney, Frank Arleo, said Lange is on Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid dependency, and also tested positive for morphine.
N.J.com said that Arleo said Lange could be at Essex County Jail through at least Feb. 6., when he is to be reevaluated and expected to be moved to an inpatient drug treatment care.
A Twitter post by “Team Lange” explained further: “Artie was not arrested and sent to jail… they are holding him a few days to sober up before transferring him to a long term treatment facility, Artie needs us to be with him, not against him- TeamLange.”
Lange pleaded guilty in December 2017 to one count of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance. In June 2018, he was sentenced to four years probation, as well as 50 hours of community service and was ordered to undergo an outpatient rehabilitation program.
The comedian had also been charged with possession of cocaine, though that charge was dismissed in exchange for his pleading guilty to possession of 81 decks of heroin. (A deck refers to a small bag.)
In December 2018, the “Howard Stern Show” alum tested positive for cocaine. At the time, he said authorities are “making me apply for a very strict rehab type program called Drug Court.”
Lange also guest stars on HBO’s “Crashing” as a troubled mentor to the lead character, played by Pete Holmes.
Arleo didn’t immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.