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EXCLUSIVE: Eva Mendes Takes Break From Rehab for “Personal Business”

Eva Mendes has temporarily checked out of the Cirque Lodge, where she was being treated for "personal issues."

Her rep tells Usmagazine.com, "Eva is attending to some personal business in Los Angeles and intends to return to complete her treatment shortly."

Several weeks ago Mendes quietly admitted herself into the Utah treatment center, where Lindsay Lohan and Mary-Kate Olsen have also stayed. Mendes was struggling with a well-hidden substance abuse problem, including cocaine use, sources close to the actress tell Us Weekly in its latest issue.

"She kept it all behind closed doors and wasn't really a mess in public," an insider told Us.

The pressures of Tinsletown — Kirsten Dunst has also reportedly checked into rehab — fueled the fire: she fell into a hard partying crowd at the Hollywood club now known as Teddy's, where her longtime boyfriend, producer George Augusto, used to DJ.

"She has a lot of low self-esteem and body issues," said a pal.

Another insider said, "For a lot of girls in Hollywood, cocaine makes them feel more confident and stay skinny."

But Mendes, who just wrapped 2009 action flick The Spirit (co-starring Scarlett Johansson) and told Us last fall that she wanted "to be known for her work," knew she needed to get well to improve professionally.

"She pulled away from that crowd last year to focus on her career," says a source, adding that treatment was a vital step to recovery. "She wants to be healthy."

Debra Messing, Mendes' co-star in upcoming drama The Women, tells Us: "I have no doubt that like everything else Eva puts her mind to, she will get through this challenging time. I send my love to her."

For more on Mendes' struggle to get healthy, pick up the newest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.

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