Michelle Heaton slams 'so-called friends' for trying to exploit her addiction
Michelle Heaton has slammed her 'so-called friends' for allegedly selling stories about her addiction to the media, revealing the people in question "know who they are."
The former Liberty X singer celebrated two years of sobriety in April, after battling issues with drugs and alcohol for decades. She entered a month-long rehab program in the spring of 2021, after being warned by doctors that her body was "shutting down" and she'd die if she continued drinking.
The 44-year-old is now finally free from the "pain and terror" of addiction, and is looking forward to helping others in their own recoveries. Michelle is also embracing all the opportunities that come her way, including appearing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dare Wins 2023 and encouraging others to take part in Sober October.
The ordeal has also exposed her to who she can, and cannot, trust. Speaking to OK!, the Dancing on Ice star reflected on the 'so-called friends' in her life who had attempted to exploit her illness for profit.
Michelle entered rehab in April 2021 after doctors warned her addiction could kill her (INSTAGRAM)
Michelle Heaton celebrated 2 years of sobriety in April (Getty Images)"I had people who were trying to make a bit of money on the side and sell their experiences of my addiction. Those people know who they are," she said, before revealing that this betrayal turned out to be a blessing a disguise.
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" I took matters into my own hands to tell my truth. It did me a favour in the end – it helped me to be honest and to help others," she explained, after adding she was determined to stop others from "twisting the narrative."
Michelle checked into The Priory Clinic in London in January 2021, after pals staged an intervention over her alcoholism and agreed to pay for her treatment. She later said she was "bewildered, confused, sad, sick and very frightened" on her first day of inpatient, which also marked the day she last drank.
"I can still remember heading into there wanting to come out a controlled drinker. A normal drinker. I had no idea how bad i actually was, and that that day would be my last day of drinking," she told her Instagram followers in a lengthy throwback post. "As long as I continue to do my meetings, step program and work on myself I don’t ever need to go back."
As for Michelle's decision to star in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, the Gateshead native said that she wanted to "prove" to herself that she "can be this strong woman" after all she's been through.
She also admitted that, despite doing her research on the gruelling show ahead of filming, she was still jolted by how difficult the experience was.
"I spoke to people who had been on it before like Vicky Pattison, Jeff Brazier and Jake Quickenden, so I knew it was going to be intense. But you can’t prepare yourself for something like this – it’s on a different level," she explained.
If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk
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