Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan's Rehab Friend Denies Romance

By Kristen Mascia

09/14/2007 at 04:00 PM EDT

The former Cirque Lodge rehab patient who had been linked to Lindsay Lohan is denying rumors that the two were ever romantically involved.

"That is against the rules," Tony Allen tells PEOPLE. "She is my friend."

Allen, who recently completed a stint at the Utah rehab facility where Lohan has been undergoing treatment, says the actress is "happy" and that she "feels better about herself."

"There's no cycle of guilt or shame anymore," says Allen. "She wants to give back to her fans and the people that care about her, and she wants to be able to share her many talents," says Allen. "She's very focused on recovery right now."

Lohan befriended Allen, a member of the Atlanta-based band Dead Stays Alive, during his 45-day stay at the Cirque Lodge. Their shared love of music "was some common ground that first initiated our friendship," Allen said.

Last month, the two were photographed hiking and whitewater rafting – activities that are part of Cirque's treatment program.

Allen (who also spoke to Extra this week about their friendship) says the two have still been in touch since he left the facility on Aug. 24. Since then, he has been working on his first record with bandmate Scott Mikell – and he wishes Lohan all the best. "I hope she gets as much out of this life as she could ever want," he added. "Finding an inner peace is very, very important part of recovery, so I do wish those things for her."

Lohan's rep wasn't immediately available for comment.