Former teen pop heartthrob Aaron Carter has entered a Southern California treatment facility for what manager Johnny Wright calls “emotional and spiritual issues.”

“He has chosen to enter a facility where he feels he will get the guidance and cleansing he needs that will help him on the music journey he’s about to take,” Wright says in a statement. “He asks that everyone keep him in their prayers and that they respect his privacy at this time.”

According to People, Carter, who has not released any music since 2002’s “Another Earthquake,” was recently working on a new album and live show in Florida. The former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant and younger brothers of the Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter was arrested in 2008 for investigation of marijuana possession, and allegedly owed more than $1 million in back taxes a year later.

Carter has not directly addressed the stint at the treatment facility on his Twitter page, but last night wrote, “The main thing in life is not to be afraid of being human.”