arg's battle
James Argent reveals cocaine addiction made him hate Gemma Collins – but ‘guardian angel’ Mark Wright saved his life
JAMES Argent has revealed his cocaine addiction made him hate his girlfriend Gemma Collins - but his "guardian angel" Mark Wright saved his life.
The Sun last week reported the reality favourite, 32, suffered two near-fatal overdoses at home.
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His long-term partner Gemma, 39, called the emergency services to help her other half — and the door had to be kicked in to save him.
After a ten-week stint in rehab, Arg is now five months sober and has lost five stone.
In an emotional interview on This Morning today, Arg opened up to hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes about his secret drug battle and how his friends brought him back to life.
"I really feel for Gemma because she has had to go through so much," said tearful Arg.
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"When I was deep in my addiction I would hate her.
"I would say, 'why are you telling my family, why are you telling me friends, why are you tellig the bosses of the TV shows? You're going to ruin my career.'
"But she refused to cover up for me. She refused to lie for me, she would never cover up or enable to continue in my addiction.
"At the time I hated her for that because I almost wanted to get away with it and do what I wanted.
"She gave me some tough love for sure. She was hard on me. Thank god she was because if it wasn't for Gemma calling the ambulances to my house, who knows what could have happened.
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"I have put my own life at risk, my career and health. More important than that it's what I've put my parents, friends, girlfriend and manager through.
"The only way I can make amends with them is by staying clean and sober. It's all good making these promises, but action speaks louder than words."
After reaching "rock bottom" on Christmas Day, Arg called up his best friend and former Towie co-star Mark Wright and admitted he needed help.
Without hesitation, Mark got Arg booked into a rehab centre in Thailand called The River in Chiang Mai where he spent ten weeks.
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"Mark is my best friend. He's always been there through my ups and downs. He has always given me tough love. Throughout the whole of December he was begging me to go into rehab, but I had given up hope and didn't want to stop.
"I rung him up on Boxing Day and said I can't do this anymore.
"Every time you relapse the relapses get worse and worse.
"It was the first time I actually thought I'm actually close to death. If I didn't sort myself out I could have died. He went out of his way to get me into a rehab in Thailand and helped me with the financial side of things.
"I am forever grateful. I am lucky to have friends like that."
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He also credited other Towie co-stars Joey Essex and Ferne McCann who have been supporting him in lockdown.
Arg has been focusing on his recovery and managing his eating disorder as he vows to stick to eating three healthy meals a day and staying sober.
After his This Morning interview, Arg went on social media to show fans his body transformation.
"Thank you so much everyone for your support," he said.
"It’s been overwhelming. I’m so lucky to have family, friends and an amazing girlfriend that truly love and care about me.
"I’m praying for all the suffering addicts out there today.
"It’s early stages but I’m proud to say I’m nearly 5 months clean/sober and have lost 5 stone in weight. ONWARDS AND UPWARDS."
Mark replied: "Love you boy. So proud of you xx."
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