Ant McPartlin reveals his prescription drug addiction nearly killed him

He's out of rehab and continuing his recovery

ant and dec

by Ruby Norris |
Published on

Ant McPartlin has finished his two-month treatment in rehab for his prescription drug addiction and 'substance abuse', and has opened up about his struggles to go 'cold turkey' and come off the drugs.

The presenter had developed an addiction to prescription drugs after a knee injury and failed operation, he's also opened up about his battle with depression.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Ant revealed the true extent of his dependency on prescription drugs and explained that after being taken off Tramadol – doctors decided he'd taken enough and 'knew he had a problem' - he was given an 'opium based' drug called OxyContin.

"They call it Hillbilly Crack in America — I can see why, Jesus," he revealed.

"There’s irritation, scratching, sleepless nights, sweating."

Ant and Dec SM:TV reunion

Ant also explained that while doctors reassured him he's not an alcoholic, it was "the mixing pills and alcohol that was deadly."

But, while he admits he's still got a way to go and will be taking time out of the spotlight with his wife Lisa, Ant's looking forward to a celebrating his recovery with his pal and TV co-host Dec Donnelly.

I'm a celebrity

Ant's hinted he will be making a return to our screens for I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Outta Here! at the end of the year.

"I can’t go to Australia and not have a cold one at the surf club with Dec like we normally do," he told the paper.

"That’s something to look forward to but I have to get well first."

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