Former X Factor Australia star Jason Owen has opened up about his battle with alcoholism and severe depression.
The 27-year-old singer says his problems stemmed from psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes painful bumps and patches on the skin.
Jason, who has since turned his life around, said the disease made him feel terribly insecure and he turned to alcohol to cope.
EXCLUSIVE: Former X Factor Australia star Jason Owen (pictured with wife Becy in 2017) has opened up about his battle with alcoholism and severe depression
Jason shared his story with Daily Mail Australia on World Psoriasis Day to help others who are also struggling with the condition.
‘Suffering with this disease isn’t easy,’ he said.
‘I’ve been bullied for having to wear makeup to cover it, refused by shop owners to purchase anything in store because of it on my hands and completely humiliated.
‘It has also caused me immense physical pain as the lesions can itch like crazy and bleed.
Confidence shattering: The 27-year-old singer says his problems stemmed from psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes painful bumps and patches on the skin
‘Suffering with this disease isn’t easy’: Jason shared his story with Daily Mail Australia on World Psoriasis Day to help others who are also struggling with the condition
‘I have never been brave enough to reveal the really dark side of what that led to – a chronic alcohol problem.’
Jason said things got so bad he would drink a bottle of scotch a night – and would sometimes even use a one-litre ice cream tub as a big ‘cup’.
‘It was my horrible dirty little secret,’ he confessed.
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‘Not even family knew that I was basically drunk every night. It sent me into such a downward spiral. I turned to the bottle big time… No joke, I was actually drinking out of a milkshake cup!’
Jason said his alcohol abuse caused by psoriasis forced him to cancel gigs and he even failed to show up to family events.
‘I wondered if he wanted to be around anymore,’ he added.
‘I was so stressed out about being a bit of an eyesore within the “beautiful people” entertainment industry, obsessively covering up in layers of clothing, I started to question whether I really belonged.
‘I felt absolutely pointless in life and just a complete waste of oxygen.’
Secret shame: Jason said things got so bad he would drink a bottle of scotch a night – and would sometimes even use a one-litre ice cream tub as a big ‘cup’
Jason’s psoriasis developed when he was 18 years old due to the stress of competing on The X Factor Australia back in 2012.
But the star has since turned his life around and is now happily married to wife Becy.
The couple tied the knot in June in a country-chic wedding in Albert, NSW, in front of 120 guests.
They are now expecting their first child together, a daughter, who is due in March.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue
Newlyweds: The star has since turned his life around and is now happily married to wife Becy
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