X Factor winner opens up about potentially lethal prescription drug addiction

He hit rock bottom two years after his win

X Factor

by Ruby Norris |
Updated on

X Factor winner Matt Cardle has spoken out about his battle with an addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol.

Opening up about ‘hitting rock bottom’ as he prepares for his music comeback, Matt has revealed he ate a ‘cocktail’ of prescription drugs for fun.

“I wasn’t that injured, I didn’t really need it. I started eating Tramadol for fun if I’m honest,” he told The Sun.

"Valium and alcohol are lethal together anyway. It’s a muscle relaxant and your heart’s a muscle.”

matt cardle
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Matt also recalls that he was lucky not be found ‘out f***ing cold’ on a number of occasions.

“If you were on your own and you’re completely smashed and you’ve taken one or two too many, you won’t wake up, it’ll stop your heart and that’s it.”

Matt won The X Factor in 2010 with Dannii Minogue as his mentor, but by 2012 he had been dropped from his record label and struggled to cope with the negative press.

Matt Cardle and Amber Hernaman
©Shutterstock

The singer checked into The Priory rehab facility after splitting with his girlfriend at the time and now credits part of his recovery to his new two-year relationship with Amber Hernaman.

Matt is set to release his fourth album 'Time To Be Alive' with Sony on 27th April.

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