‘I’m an addict, one drink will lead to death’: James Argent breaks his silence on ‘very bad relapse’ that saw his worried friends call an ambulance after he broke two years of sobriety
James ‘Arg’ Argent has spoken out on his recent relapse, which saw him break two years of sobriety during a night out with friends.
The former TOWIE star was visited by paramedics earlier this month after concerned friends called an ambulance for him after a night of drinking.
Speaking to The Sun, Arg admitted he ‘had a very bad relapse,’ and the incident has made him realise he will be an addict for life..
Breaking his silence: James ‘Arg’ Argent has spoken out on his recent relapse, which saw him break two years of sobriety during a night out with friends (pictured in December)
The alarm was raised when the reality star was not answering his phone ‘after hitting a blip in his recovery’ earlier this month.
Breaking his silence Arg explained that he had enjoyed a comedy night in London with friends, where he experienced ‘cravings’. He had a first drink after buying a round for friends at the afterparty back near his home in Essex.
‘Addicts always say one drink is never enough – if it was, I wouldn’t be an addict – but unfortunately it just escalated from there,’ he explained.
‘After that, I can’t get into the specifics of what I did, but that’s where it all started and I ended up at home having an awful relapse – I’d been clean and sober for such a long time, it hit me like a ton of bricks as my body and mind hadn’t been used to it for so long.’
Relapse: ‘Addicts always say one drink is never enough – if it was, I wouldn’t be an addict – but unfortunately it just escalated from there,’ he explained of the night out (pictured in December)
His ‘shocked and worried’ friends called an ambulance and after tests paramedics agreed it was safe for the star to recover at home.
Arg said that he thinks his problems started after losing 14 stone following his gastric sleeve surgery last April, and after gaining confidence in his looks he mistakenly believed he was ‘recovered’.
‘I thought I was cured and told myself that I can be in control and manage it – but I can’t – I’m an addict and I can’t just go to rehab, come back and be cured, it’s something that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life and that will be in my life forever.
Home: His ‘shocked and worried’ friends called an ambulance and after tests paramedics agreed it was safe for the star to recover at home (pictured at home in Essex)
Before and after: Last year, James’ weight ballooned to 27 stone after he replaced his cocaine habit with unhealthy eating (pictured before left). Arg has lost 14 stone following his gastric sleeve surgery last April
‘I can glamorise partying but in reality it’s never going to be fun for me as I’m an addict so it’ll never be just one or two drinks – that will lead me to hospital or death.’ he explained.
Arg is now getting support via a local walk-in rehab service, which he uses six days a week and said he was proud of himself for taking action and facing his addiction.
In 2019 James was hospitalised twice after overdosing on drugs at his home.
The scare was said to a ‘wake-up call’ to James who then ‘accepted he needs professional help’.
Arg has battled drink and drug addiction since finding fame on TOWIE and in 2014 he was suspended from the show after he failed a routine drugs test.
Weight loss: Arg said that he thinks his problems started after losing 14 stone following his gastric sleeve surgery last April, and after gaining confidence in his looks he mistakenly believed he was ‘recovered’ (pictured in 2019)
The TV star spent three months in a facility in Thailand over the festive season in 2016 in order to get the ‘ongoing support’ he needed.
In August 2019, Arg returned to rehab following a split from Gemma Collins in a bid to tackle his demons.
He completed a third stint in treatment in 2020 prior to undergoing gastric bypass surgery.
Last year, James’ weight ballooned to 27 stone after he replaced his cocaine habit with unhealthy eating.
He has since lost a staggering 13 stone after surgery saw 70 percent of his stomach removed in the £10,000 operation.
In January, Arg reflected on his drug recovery as he reached out to any followers who may be struggling.
Recovering: Arg is now getting support via a local walk-in rehab service, which he uses six days a week and said he was proud of himself for taking action and facing his addiction
He shared a video explaining: ‘The festive season can be really hard for struggling addicts. I know because I’ve been there myself. And even to this day, I’m still in regular therapy, counseling, aftercare with the guys at Verve Health. They’ve really helped me.’
He added in the caption: ‘During the holiday season, Suffering addicts may have found it even more difficult to cope. Which is why it’s important to never suffer in silence. There is so much help out there and you can & will recover.
‘The most important step is the first step, Picking up the phone and letting @vervehealthrehabs help you. They are leading addiction experts & know what to do in all circumstances, However bad things have gotten. Never believe that your past help, there is no such thing. You can get help today!’
Addict: Arg has battled drink and drug addiction since finding fame on TOWIE (pictured) and now says: ‘It’s something that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life’
James previously revealed during the height of his past cocaine addiction, he was locking himself in his house, in darkness, for two to three days straight.
The reality star broke down in tears during an appearance on Loose Women as he listened to his mother discuss his past battle and said the best way he can ‘make amends’ is by ‘staying clean and sober’.
James said: ‘I was the biggest I’d ever been, 23 and a half stone, I hated everything about myself, all time low.
‘I remember around that period, I was using drugs for like two or three days straight in my house, I had locked myself in and it was pitch black in the house.’
For confidential help and support call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
Support: In January, Arg reflected on his drug recovery as he reached out to any followers who may be struggling over the festive period, sharing a video online
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