Charlie Sheen's ex-wife is in hospital under an involuntary psychiatric hold.

Brooke Mueller - who has been to rehab 19 times - was allegedly placed under a 5150, California's Welfare Institutions Code, on Wednesday (01.05.13) shortly before her four-year-old twins, Bob and Max, were placed in the care of the 'Anger Management' star's other former spouse Denise Richards.

A source told gossip website RadarOnline.com: ''Brooke was taken to the medical center on Wednesday night after she was deemed to be a threat to herself and to others.

''She had been using drugs for days and was not in her right mind. It was a very sad, sad situation.

''Once Brooke was admitted, her doctors notified the Department of Children and Family Services and action was taken by the agency immediately to get her children legally out of her care.''

The 35-year-old mother-of-two is still being treated under the order, which legally allows a qualified peace officer or clinician to involuntarily confine someone because it's deemed they have a mental disorder that makes them a danger to themselves and/or others.

Friends close to the socialite previously revealed that she refuses to admit she has a problem and go to rehab.

An insider said: ''Brooke is completely in denial about how bad her addiction is to crystal meth. Even after losing Bob and Max, she is still refusing to go back to rehab.

''The only chance Brooke has of even having visitation with the boys is if she is in a treatment program.

''The longer Brooke goes without getting treatment, the more it hurts her chances of getting the boys back.''

A spokesperson for Brooke has refused to comment.