James Argent has thanked his rehab team for their support with his ongoing addiction issues and encouraged others who are struggling to get help.
The former TOWIE star, 33, took to Instagram on Sunday to update fans on his recovery and thanked his followers for their messages during a ‘difficult time’.
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.
Honest: James Argent has thanked his rehab team for their support with his ongoing addiction issues and encouraged others who are struggling to get help
Speaking in the video he said: ‘Hey guys, I just want to thank each and every single one of you who have shown me nothing but love and support with all your messages over what’s been quite a difficult time for me.
‘I know you’re worried but I can honestly say I feel so much more positive about the future and I feel so much better in myself and that’s because I have had day to day help from Dad in Recovery.
‘Nick is a leading addiction expert and alongside his team at Verve Health they’ve really helped me on what’s hopefully going to be a really special journey for me.
Hopeful: The former TOWIE star, 33, took to Instagram on Sunday to update fans on his recovery and thanked fans for their messages during a ‘difficult time’
Recovery: Alongside the post he wrote: ‘Thank you to Everyone for your continued support, It means so much’
‘If you’re indoors at home and seeing this video message, please if you are struggling please do not suffer in silence, please reach out to Nick, Dad in Recovery and the whole team at Verve health and they will help you along your journey just like they’ve done with me.’
Alongside the post he wrote: ‘Thank you to Everyone for your continued support, It means so much.
‘A special shout out to Nick @dadinrecovery & his team at @vervehealthrehabs for helping me on this path of my recovery journey.
‘Don’t forget to ask for help, It’s out there. Don’t suffer alone! �� ❤️ #dadinrecovery #recoveryjourney #getsupport #help4addiction’.
Journey: Along with his addiction issues, James revealed last month that he is have life-saving gastric surgery after reaching 27 stone during lockdown
Along with his addiction issues, James revealed last month that he is having life-saving gastric surgery after reaching 27 stone during lockdown.
Arg received his first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine last month after he was placed in the ‘high-risk category’ because of his weight.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, he said: ‘They’ve [doctors] basically been saying, the size I am at the moment, it could be fatal. If I was to catch Covid, I could be a goner.’
Speaking to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, James added: ‘It has been worrying. It’s been difficult putting on so much weight and obviously the fact I’ve got so big.
Weight battle: Arg will have life-saving gastric surgery in the near future and described doctors’ warnings as ‘very worrying’ (left, last month and right, in 2015)
‘It kind of shows I haven’t been in the greatest of places. But I’m sitting here this morning, I’m feeling super positive…
‘I’ve got life-changing surgery, which is going to be taking place in the near future, it’s all booked up.
‘I really feel like I’m making positive steps and I can’t wait to get back to my very best.’
James went on to explain how doctors have warned him he is in danger territory due to his weight and how if he were to catch Covid, it could be fatal.
Arg has battled drink and drug addiction for much of his adult life.
The TV star spent three months in a facility in Thailand over the festive season in 2016 in a bid to curb his addiction and revealed he checked himself in to a programme 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.
Grateful: Speaking in the video on Sunday he said: ‘Hey guys, I just want to thanks each and every single one of you who have shown me nothing but love and support’
For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.