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Source: www.contactmusic.com
Former pop idol NICK CARTER
faces a daily struggle staying sober after doctors warned the
BACKSTREET BOY a booze binge could kill him.
The 29-year-old sought medical help last year (08), after suffering
from chest pains.
Doctors in Florida diagnosed him with cardiomyopathy; a build up
of toxins that prevents the heart from pumping blood efficiently.
The condition was blamed on the years of binge drinking and drug
taking that had caused Carter's weight to balloon and his health to
deteriorate - and medics warned him he'd end up dead if he didn't stop.
He tells People magazine, "My doctors said, 'You need to change your lifestyle.'
"I don't want to die. I don't want to be that person people read
about and think, 'That's sad that he couldn't stop it and killed
himself.'"
Eight months on, the star has dropped all the extra pounds and
cut drink, drugs and fatty foods out of his diet - but he admits he
finds it hard to stay clean. He confesses he has lapsed and "started to
drink a couple of glasses of wine, and I couldn't control it" - but
credits his doctor with helping him stay sober.
Specialist Dr. Richard Polakoff tells People, "Once you get this
condition, it can get progressively worse until the heart is extremely
weak. But if he abstains from alcohol and other substances, I think we
can get his heart back to normal."
Former pop idol NICK CARTER
faces a daily struggle staying sober after doctors warned the
BACKSTREET BOY a booze binge could kill him.
The 29-year-old sought medical help last year (08), after suffering
from chest pains.
Doctors in Florida diagnosed him with cardiomyopathy; a build up
of toxins that prevents the heart from pumping blood efficiently.
The condition was blamed on the years of binge drinking and drug
taking that had caused Carter's weight to balloon and his health to
deteriorate - and medics warned him he'd end up dead if he didn't stop.
He tells People magazine, "My doctors said, 'You need to change your lifestyle.'
"I don't want to die. I don't want to be that person people read
about and think, 'That's sad that he couldn't stop it and killed
himself.'"
Eight months on, the star has dropped all the extra pounds and
cut drink, drugs and fatty foods out of his diet - but he admits he
finds it hard to stay clean. He confesses he has lapsed and "started to
drink a couple of glasses of wine, and I couldn't control it" - but
credits his doctor with helping him stay sober.
Specialist Dr. Richard Polakoff tells People, "Once you get this
condition, it can get progressively worse until the heart is extremely
weak. But if he abstains from alcohol and other substances, I think we
can get his heart back to normal."
