Jonathan Leibson, FilmMagic
"A few weeks ago I had a really bad day, I was in a funk," the 34-year-old singer admits. "I went out in Hollywood and had a couple of beers, and maybe one or two shots. This happened two weeks ago, roughly." That means the slip-up happened shortly after the birth of his child.
"Before that, I was sober for almost a month," AJ reveals. "Before then, four months. It's been sporadic." It sounds like staying sober has been a struggle for the pop star who made three trips to rehab between 2001 - 2011. He knows he has a long journey ahead of him.
"I will forever be an alcoholic and an addict in recovery as long as I live. It's an ongoing struggle, a daily thing ... There is a lot going on. It's been overwhelming."
McLean has been gushing about his new role as father since welcoming baby Ava in November, and he tells the magazine his new responsibilities will help him stay on track on the road to recovery.
"I can't stress how much my daughter is an inspiration to stay sober. When I come home and she opens those big blue eyes at me, it's the most amazing feeling I could ever feel. I'm not looking for sympathy. It's a constant struggle, and it's not as easy as you think."
See AJ in Our Gallery of Boy Band Hair Through the Years
- One Direction
- Jonas Brothers
- Hanson
- 'N Sync
- Backstreet Boys
- New Kids on the Block
- Menudo
- The Osmonds
- The Jackson 5
- The Beatles
- Boy Bands: Where Are They Now?
- 98 Degrees Then
- 98 Degrees Now
- Hanson Then
- Hanson Now
- O-Town Then
- O-Town Now
- Color Me Badd Then
- Color Me Badd Now
- LFO Then
- LFO Recently
- Naked Brothers Band Then
- Naked Brothers Band Now
- B2K Then
- B2K Now
- Take That Then
- Take That Now
- Westlife Then
- Westlife Now
- Justin Bieber for Complex Magazine April/May 2012
- Kids' Choice Awards Performance Gallery
- Ricky Martin Through the Years
Watch "Tyler Shields Photo Shoot With AJ McLean"
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