Former reality tv show star from “Biggest Loser” Leigh Westren reveals his struggle with ice addiction.

In an interview with New Idea Magazine, the 28-year-old who became the show’s runner up in 2011 opened up about his addiction to the substance.

He recounted that he started the ordeal by thinking that it would only be a one-time thing.

“I thought I’d have ice once and that was it,” he said. However, once he got high, he got hooked and began taking the substance in higher doses. “But I loved the high it gave me, so I took it again ... and again, and again. Within a week, I’d gone from trying ice for the first time to becoming an ice addict. I was hanging out in crack houses and doing ice all day with junkies, hanging with dealers.”

The weight loss effect of the drug gave him a short-sighted satisfaction but he always knew that he did not look healthy. “I was 69kg. I looked shocking — really scrawny and gaunt. I loved it because I was so skinny — but the truth is, I looked like a meth addict.”

Westren recounted that his drug abuse began in 2014 following the death of a relative. Now a music producer, he revealed that he abused the substance for eight months and spent an estimated AU$80,000 for it.

Westren said that his erratic behaviour during that time took a toll on his loved ones. That served as a wake-up call for him to quit the bad habit and focus on repairing the relationship with his family.

“The important thing is that I focus on staying off drugs and repairing my relationship with my parents,” he said.

Ice is the most potent form of stimulant drug called methamphetamine. Also called shabu, crystal or crystal meth, the drug is usually snorted, injected or smoked.

The abuse of ice is linked to over 170 deaths in Australia in 2013.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES