Dougie Poynter has revealed that he consumed “lethal doses” of Valium after he and his McFly bandmates parted ways.
The bassist struggled to cope when the Love Is Easy hitmakers decided to announce an indefinite hiatus back in 2016, saying that the drug helped ease his struggles.
Poynter, 32, has previously made an attempt on his life in 2011 after a battle with alcohol and drug abuse.
Despite suggesting the hiatus, Dougie, from Corringham, Essex, battled with himself following the decision, The Sun reports.
Speaking in a special ITV programme, McFly: All About Us, the star said: “On the one hand I felt inspired because friends in LA would take me to see other bands and stuff.
Dougie has bravely revealed he turned to drugs after McFly disbanded (Image: Elliot / Splash News)
“On the other hand, I was like, ‘But my band’s broken and it’s all my fault’.
“Valium was a way of just making all that disappear.”
Bandmate and drummer Harry Judd, 34, went on to say: “I said to him, ‘Don’t freak out mate, but I know you’re taking something. Is everything ok?
“And he sort of told me what he’d been taking. He was like, at that’s a lethal dosage.”
The musician shared his personal battles during McFly: All About Us (Image: ITV)
The fourpiece band – completed by vocalists Danny Jones, 34, and Tom Fletcher, 35 – sought help in group therapy after Dougie checked into a rehab clinic.
“We’re all he had to cling on to when there were tough things going on in his life,” recalled Tom.
Dougie spoke candidly about his personal battles which saw him attempt to kill himself during an episode of Alan Carr’s Chatty Man back in 2012.
McFly announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016 (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
While chatting to the group about their autobiography Unsaid Things… Our Story, Alan said: “Listen, I have got to say, it got really dark, about you trying to kill yourself.”
“Yeah,” replied the bassist.
Alan continued: “Last time you were on Chatty Man you weren’t yourself.
“Now I realise you were battling drink and drugs. Did you feel better once you wrote about it?”
Dougie had previously made an attempt on his life in 2011 (Image: Getty Images)
Reflecting on his troubles, Dougie said: “It’s always good to reflect on that sort of stuff. I’m in a really, really good place now. It is quite easy to forget.
“It’s quite therapeutic to go back, quite scary and a bit of an eye-opener into how dark it can get if you take your foot off the gas and stop looking after yourself.”
Dougie attempted to take his life in a car back in February 2011 before entering rehab and being treated for depression.
McFly: All About Us airs on Saturday at 6.40pm on ITV.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
