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Kerry Katona reveals drink battle Kerry Katona reveals drink battle
(about 1 hour later)
Kerry Katona has admitted for the first time that she is an alcoholic, according to a newspaper interview. Singer Kerry Katona has admitted for the first time she is an alcoholic, according to a newspaper interview.
"Four years ago I was diagnosed as an alcoholic after a stay in The Priory clinic," she told The People."Four years ago I was diagnosed as an alcoholic after a stay in The Priory clinic," she told The People.
"This is not common knowledge as I've never admitted it before," the former Atomic Kitten singer said."This is not common knowledge as I've never admitted it before," the former Atomic Kitten singer said.
"Along with my bi-polar disorder this is an ongoing battle I will face for the rest of my life." But she stressed her addiction was "under control"."Along with my bi-polar disorder this is an ongoing battle I will face for the rest of my life." But she stressed her addiction was "under control".
"Yes, I still have a drink when I want to, like any other 28-year-old woman," she told the paper."Yes, I still have a drink when I want to, like any other 28-year-old woman," she told the paper.
"Some people think that an alcoholic is someone who drinks all the time but in fact it can be someone who drinks twice a month and gets hammered."Some people think that an alcoholic is someone who drinks all the time but in fact it can be someone who drinks twice a month and gets hammered.
"During my worst drinking bouts I'd easily knock back 10 to 15 shots of vodka or peach schnapps."During my worst drinking bouts I'd easily knock back 10 to 15 shots of vodka or peach schnapps.
"I can get through days without having a drink but it's hard. I can never promise myself or my family that I can beat this addiction but I'll try bloody hard.""I can get through days without having a drink but it's hard. I can never promise myself or my family that I can beat this addiction but I'll try bloody hard."
She recently raised concerns with a slurred interview on TV show This Morning.She recently raised concerns with a slurred interview on TV show This Morning.
Hopefully she will get the help, support and the treatment that she needs so she can pull herself back from the brink of disaster Max CliffordFormer publicistHopefully she will get the help, support and the treatment that she needs so she can pull herself back from the brink of disaster Max CliffordFormer publicist
Her husband Mark told the paper her performance was not related to alcohol, but prescription medication she took for her bi-polar disorder.Her husband Mark told the paper her performance was not related to alcohol, but prescription medication she took for her bi-polar disorder.
"She is down as an alcoholic on her medical documents," he said. "Her favourite drink was always vodka - vodka shots especially. It's on there.""She is down as an alcoholic on her medical documents," he said. "Her favourite drink was always vodka - vodka shots especially. It's on there."
But she had not relapsed recently and only drank "about twice a month, if that", he added.But she had not relapsed recently and only drank "about twice a month, if that", he added.
Katona has also spent time in rehab to tackle drug addiction.Katona has also spent time in rehab to tackle drug addiction.
Her former publicist and friend Max Clifford said: "I have known that Kerry had this problem for a long time and the fact that she has now come out and admitted it is a step in the right direction.Her former publicist and friend Max Clifford said: "I have known that Kerry had this problem for a long time and the fact that she has now come out and admitted it is a step in the right direction.
"She has tried to hide it for some time now. I'm really pleased that she has done this."She has tried to hide it for some time now. I'm really pleased that she has done this.
"Hopefully she will get the help, support and the treatment that she needs so she can pull herself back from the brink of disaster."Hopefully she will get the help, support and the treatment that she needs so she can pull herself back from the brink of disaster.
"I hope that Mark gives her the help, care and support that she so desperately needs.""I hope that Mark gives her the help, care and support that she so desperately needs."
Katona was in Atomic Kitten from 1999-2001 and won ITV1's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2004.Katona was in Atomic Kitten from 1999-2001 and won ITV1's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2004.
She is currently the face of the Iceland supermarket's TV adverts and stars in an MTV reality show, Crazy In Love.She is currently the face of the Iceland supermarket's TV adverts and stars in an MTV reality show, Crazy In Love.