After he was involved last year in a drug controversy, Scotty T has revealed he still takes cocaine to deal with personal turmoil.
However, he insists he’s not addicted to the Class A drug – despite admitting he once took it every day following the death of loved ones.
The 30-year old Geordie Shore lad said he started taking drugs when he landed the role on the MTV reality show, which saw him out every night with his castmates.
‘While the show was on air, I’d be doing club personal appearances every night and I started taking cocaine to cope,’ he said this week. ‘I used to be completely anti-drugs, anti-smoking and despise all of that. But I fell into that lifestyle.’
He added to The Sun that he was sometimes taking the drug ‘three times a day’ as he said: ‘To cope I’d have cocaine. It helps me focus and concentrate. I was using it every day when I was off the rails and doing PAs up and down the UK …I didn’t know how else to cope.’
Admitting he knew he needed to take drastic action, the star shipped himself off to rehab in 2017 where he spent two weeks getting clean.
However, not long after returning to the Newcastle party scene, where on the show he was out entertaining punters every night until the early hours, he admitted he started taking cocaine again more than before.
Then he was filmed snorting a suspicious substance and was promptly suspended by MTV bosses.
Losing his job didn’t get him clean, though, as he said losing five people close to him, including Paul Burns who died of an overdose and his friend Love Island’s Sophie Gradon who died by suicide last year, had him spiralling again.
Admitting he ‘got to such a low, depressed point’, he managed to get out of it and send himself to Thailand where he spent two-and-a-half months in a cleansing program that involved cognitive behavioural therapy.
Scotty said while he ‘used to need cocaine to get by in the day’ he’s nearly kicked the habit.
‘I take it on a recreational basis very rarely but it’s not a necessity like it used to be,’ he continued. ‘I know my limits.’
However, while the reality star admits he ‘isn’t a bad boy’ and ‘likes to be cosy on the couch’ just last week he was pictured urinating at an ATM during a night out in Newcastle.
It seems Scotty is pretty adept at multitasking as he actually proceeded to whip out his bank card, tap in his pin number and withdraw money, all the while continuing to decorate the wall of the Tesco as he relieved himself.
Worried about drugs?
Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.
Adfam has local groups for families affected by drugs and alcohol and DrugFam offers phone and email support to people affected by other people's drug or alcohol misuse.
Need support? Contact the Samaritans
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.
MORE: Geordie Shore’s Sophie Kasaei opens up on alopecia battle following serious hair care