James 'Arg' Argent isn't sure he'd have changed his life if he didn't hit "rock bottom" with his drug addiction.
The former Only Way Is Essex star has been open about his battles with his physical and mental health and has been very honest about his drug problems in the past. In April 2021, Arg underwent a sleeve gastrectomy procedure, after his weight reached 27 stone, and he's now looking much slimmer and revealed he's a lot happier.
As he appeared on Good Morning Britain today for a festive singalong, he spoke about hitting rock bottom amid his addiction.
Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain today, he said: "I was lucky to have lots of close family and friends. Like what the campaign suggests, you have to reach out and speak to people. It goes a massive long way people giving you a phone call or a text but you've got to really want to engage. People can try and try and you've really got to reach out and talk.
"You've got to want it yourself, you've got to be ready. People out there lose their children, they lose their jobs, their wife or girlfriend leaves them but that's not enough for them to stop or get help."
He added: "Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom, and unfortunately not everyone gets back from hitting rock bottom."
Arg has now lost 14 stone, but decided to put a stone back on as he felt he was too thin. He explained he always thought it would be best to be skinnier, but realised when he lost weight, he would be a bit healthier with slightly more weight on.
He admitted he worries he would get "complacent" amid his health journey.
"It feels good. At the moment I'm going to sleep excited for the next day and I'm waking up positive and full of energy, and just life's really good at the moment," he said, "I've just gotta make sure I don't get too complacent or carried away, I've gotta remember where I was before and stuff and always keep working every day, do you know what I mean?"
He is now dating a woman from abroad, and added of his long distance romance: "Stella is extremely intelligent, very talented and she’s fluent in four languages, including English, which is lucky, as my Italian’s not great, although it’s improving.
"I’m lucky enough to have a home cinema — there have to be some perks to being in showbiz — and I’m obsessed with Mafia films, so I made her watch Goodfellas and some Sopranos and Casino too."
*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.
