The Duggar Family Blog has confirmed that Josh Duggar has left rehab, and despite rumors to the contrary, TLC has assured viewers of Jill & Jessa: Counting On that Josh will not appear in the series. Duggar had been in rehab since August 2015, after confessing to a pornography addiction and to cheating on his wife, Anna.
A statement on the Duggar family blog revealed that “Josh has completed his residential rehabilitation program,” and the family is “so thankful for everyone who worked with Josh in this program.” The statement also confirmed that while residential rehab “was a crucial first step in recovery and healing for Josh,” Duggar will continue “professional counseling” as he works on “rebuilding relationships with his family.”
Ex-reality star Josh Duggar completes rehab, returns home to Arkansas: https://t.co/o5RsVI25cr pic.twitter.com/YYTp6BTdZj
— WTHR.com (@WTHRcom) March 11, 2016
In an interview with People magazine, Jessa Duggar, who was molested by Josh when he was a teenager, confessed that she’s forgiven Josh – but her forgiveness wasn’t immediate. “I definitely have forgiven Josh,” Jessa confirmed, adding that trusting her brother again “is a process, though, that you have to work through in your heart.”
Indeed, it took time since “ trust is not quickly rebuilt ,” Jessa said, but according to the new mother, they “love [Josh] very much, though, and we are very hopeful for the future.”
Despite public pressure, Josh Duggar’s wife, Anna, confirmed on the three-part series Jill & Jessa: Counting On that her faith prohibits her from divorcing Josh even though he cheated on her. Along with guidance from Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, with whom Anna has been living since Josh entered rehab, Josh and Anna, as well as the rest of the Duggar clan, “look to God for help and guidance and place all of our trust in Him” as they rebuild their shattered marriage .
Josh Duggar back home after 6 months of rehab https://t.co/tDynvg7CfR pic.twitter.com/g2AQkjcRBX
— WFSB Channel 3 (@WFSBnews) March 11, 2016
The statement on the Duggar Family Blog concluded with thanks from the Duggar family, who confirmed they “are forever grateful for the love and prayers offered by so many and hope you will continue to pray in the days ahead.”
So, what’s in store for Josh Duggar besides working on his relationships with the rest of his family? Not appearing on television, for starters.
The first full season of Jill & Jessa: Counting On premieres on TLC on March 15, and even though a camera crew was spotted following Anna Duggar around the family’s hometown of Springdale, Arkansas, TLC confirmed to People that Josh will not be making an appearance on the new series.
“The Duggar Family has confirmed to TLC that Josh has completed his residential treatment program,” the network revealed in a statement to the magazine, adding that “Josh is not appearing in Jill & Jessa: Counting On .” TLC concluded its brief statement to concerned viewers by wishing the Duggar family “continued healing.”
Could Josh Duggar follow his siblings into the thriving family businesses? https://t.co/ZWvpKAsXzE pic.twitter.com/mPm0jeYKDD
— People (@people) March 10, 2016
The network has also released details about the first two episodes , which will feature Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald as the new parents learn to navigate life with their newborn, Spurgeon Elliot. The Duggar family also visits Jill and Derick Dillard as they begin mission work in Central America.
It is possible Josh will join his tight-knit family in one of their many businesses, although nothing has been confirmed. The family has several businesses, including a fifth-generation real estate business as well as a car dealership that buys and restores vehicles before reselling them.
Working together in the family business works well for the Duggar family, and according to Josh’s sister, Jana, “[t]he fact that we work together as siblings makes it so much more enjoyable.”
Jill & Jessa: Counting On returns to TLC on March 15 at 9 p.m. ET.
What do you think? Will Josh Duggar eventually return to television? Should he? Leave a comment below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeYw77zdg1w
[Image via Instagram]