06 March 2024 , 20:36
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Kerry Katona has opened up about her past struggles with cocaine - explaining there was a point when she considered the drug as her only friend.
The 43-year-old singer has previously revealed she first started taking drugs when she was just 14-years-old - sharing a shocking story in which she claimed her mother, Sue, rubbed cocaine on her gums telling her it was sherbet. She then battled addiction with the Class A substance - which is highly addictive and can see those in possession of it arrested, charged and jailed for up to seven years. Those supplying the drug to others can be jailed for life and face an unlimited fine.
While Kerry has been something of an open book about her drug struggles in the past, she has shed new details on her addictions - and has happily revealed she hasn’t touched the substance in well over a decade. However, she does recall being most dependant on the drug when she was in a marriage with a drug dealer husband; taxi driver Mark Croft who she wed in 2007 and divorced in 2011 and shares daughter Heidi, born in 2007, and son Maxwell, born in 2008, with him.
Kerry says at her lowest point she felt like cocaine was her only friend. She also said she found taking drugs to be “normal” because she was introduced to hardcore drugs at such a young age - having been introduced to them by her mother.
Kerry was an original member of Atomic Kitten (Getty Images)
Kerry has turned her life around since quitting drugs 15 years ago (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)Speaking to the Straight To The Comments! podcast, Kerry said: “I haven't touched cocaine in 15 years.” Asked if she has given up alcohol as well as drugs, the former Atomic Kitten star said: “No I love a drink, but coke was more my poison and plus I married my drug dealer because I thought I would get it a bit cheaper.. I wouldn't say it was addiction it was more of a co-dependency. This was at a time where I would have 40 paps outside my house, my mum was selling stories on me and I was married to a drug dealer. Cocaine became my only friend it was all I had. Rehab didn't help me get off coke at all, when I got out I met my drug dealer.”
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The star went on to explain that her life changed when she was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. She was diagnosed with the condition - which can cause unexpected mood swings which can see sufferers go from deep feelings of depression to sensations of mania.
Opening up about the condition and her diagnosis, Kerry said: “See mental health wasn't a big thing back then, no one knew what bipolar was, I didn't know, I thought it was a sport! So when I was told I was bipolar no one had ever heard of it and then all of a sudden it became a thing. My drug dependency started well before I was famous, I was 14 and my mum told me it was sherbet and it was speed. I thought that's what you did with your mum. That was normal for me.”
*Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email [email protected], message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.