Lohan has been a frequent attendee at various nightclubs and social events - at times being photographed with nightlife notables such as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Responding to the media's portrayal of Lohan as a "party girl", she commented, "People say, 'Oh, she goes out and she parties'. No, we are just going out and having fun."

Lohan's car accidents in 2004-2006 were widely reported. The first, August 2004 in Studio City, California, was a minor rear-ender, though the victims threatened to sue her in 2005. Another, October 2005 in West Hollywood, occurred when Lohan struck a van. Police determined that the van's driver made an illegal U-turn. November 2006 in Los Angeles, Lohan suffered minor injuries when a paparazzo who was following her for a photograph hit her car. Police called the crash intentional, but prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to file criminal charges. When VH1 named Lohan "Big 'It' Girl" for its 'Big' in '05 Awards in December, it was, Lohan quipped, "because being Big in '05 means getting in three car crashes in one year, people!".

Lohan was hospitalized twice in January 2006. In the first incident, she cut herself on a broken teacup while in London; in the second incident, she suffered an asthma attack while in Miami, Florida.

In an interview published in the March 2006 issue of Allure, Lohan said she hoped to be taken seriously as an actress, adding, "I hate it when people call me a teen queen." She addressed the numerous romantic rumors ("I know now that I don't need a boyfriend.") and her weight loss ("I will say that I went through a phase. I lost weight when I was in the hospital, and then I wanted to keep it off."). Lohan said 2005 "felt like five lifetimes because I've grown up a lot". At around the same time, she is reported as having looked into the teachings of Kabbalah Centre, saying, "All of us need something. You have to grab on to whatever gets you through."

On July 25, 2006, the filming of Georgia Rule was delayed while Lohan was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital for treatment of overheating and dehydration, her third hospital visit in 2006. In a letter to Lohan and others associated with the production that was later made public, James G. Robinson, CEO of the film's production company, Morgan Creek Productions, wrote:

"You and your representatives have told us that your various late arrivals and absences from the set have been the result of illness; today we were told it was 'heat exhaustion'. We are well aware that your ongoing all night heavy partying is the real reason for your so-called 'exhaustion'."

Lohan's fourth 2006 hospital visit occurred in September when she was treated at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City after breaking her wrist.

On January 18, 2007, Lohan checked herself in to the Wonderland Center rehabilitation facility in West Hollywood's Laurel Canyon area. Through her representative, she issued a statement saying, "I have made a proactive decision to take care of my personal health."In a later interview, Lohan said, "It's so weird that I went to rehab. I always said I would die before I went to rehab." But she added that, even after regularly attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, "I don't know that I'm necessarily an addict."

Lohan was ranked #3 on the Forbes list of Young Hollywood Top-Earners with $6 million.

May 26, 2007 arrest

On May 26, 2007, Lohan lost control of her Mercedes-Benz convertible and struck a curb. Police found "additional contraband" in the car - which was tentatively identified as a "usable" amount of cocaine. After receiving treatment for minor injuries, Lohan was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Two days later, Lohan entered the Promises Treatment Centers rehabilitation facility in Malibu, staying for 45 days. A week later, on July 20, Lohan, accompanied by her attorney, surrendered herself to be fingerprinted and photographed. She was released on her own recognizance and assigned a court date of August 24.

July 24, 2007 arrest

In the pre-dawn hours of July 24, 2007, the Santa Monica police received a 911 call from a car being driven by Michelle Peck - whose daughter, Tracie Rice had left her employment as Lohan's personal assistant several hours previously. Peck reported that she was being chased by a white GMC and feared for her safety. The police later found Peck and Lohan having a "heated debate" in the parking lot of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Lohan refused to take a breathalyzer test, but agreed to other field sobriety tests. After failing these tests, she was taken to a police station where her blood alcohol level was tested at between 0.12 and 0.13 percent - above the California legal limit of 0.08 percent. While conducting a search, the police found a small amount of cocaine in her pocket.

Lohan was booked on felony charges of possession of cocaine and transportation of a narcotic - in addition to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. A few hours after Lohan's release on $25,000 bail, her attorney, Blair Berk, issued a statement:

“ Addiction is a terrible and vicious disease. Since Lindsay transitioned to outpatient care, she has been monitored on a SCRAM ["Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor,"] bracelet and tested daily in order to support her sobriety. Throughout this period, I have received timely and accurate reports from the testing companies. Unfortunately, late yesterday I was informed that Lindsay had relapsed. The bracelet has now been removed. She is safe, out of custody and presently receiving medical care. ”

Access Hollywood host Billy Bush said he received an email from Lohan on July 24 in which she stated:

“ I am innocent... did not do drugs they're not mine. I was almost hit by my assistant Tarin's mom. I appreciate everyone giving me my privacy. ”

CBS News reported that some days later, Lohan checked into Cirque Lodge, a drug rehab, alcohol and addiction treatment center in Sundance, Utah. This represents Lohan's third rehab program in 2007.

On August 14, 2007, Tracie Rice filed a lawsuit against Lohan at Los Angeles County Superior Court for assault and negligence for the incident of July 24.

On August 23, 2007, it was announced that Lohan would serve one day in jail and 10 days community service for both her DUI arrests. She will also be on probation for a maximum of three years. Lohan was also ordered to complete an 18-month alcohol education program, pay hundreds of dollars in fines and must complete a three-day county coroner program in which she’ll visit a morgue and talk to victims of drunk drivers. “It is clear to me that my life has become completely unmanageable because I am addicted to alcohol and drugs,” Lohan said in a statement released by publicist Leslie Sloane Zelnik. She began her community service at the American Red Cross in Pomona, California