Zac Efron Discusses Addiction Issues With Bear Grylls

Zac Efron’s addiction issues have been the source of media reports in the past, but it wasn’t until recently that the actor opened up about the reasons behind the addiction — and two stints in rehab.

Efron appeared on the first episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls, a new reality series on NBC where the survival expert takes celebrities on two-day excursions to test their survival skills.

On the show, the 26-year-old was candid with Grylls about his addiction issues and his time in treatment. The Neighbors star shared insight into his life before rehab, as well as revealing that he hit bottom because of the media’s fascination with his personal life.

Zac explained of being a child-star, “The challenging part was never the work. That was never it. It was sort of the in-between work — the social aspects outside of it.” He added, “I mean, everywhere you go to a certain extent, there is press in some form.”

The constant pressure was too much for Efron, who eventually sought unhealthy coping mechanisms as a means to deal with being on display in his everyday life. Zac told Bear Grylls, “Whether you’re going to an even where you’re supposed to be out… there will be press there, it you’re leaving your house to go to the grocery store, there will be press there. It can be everywhere and it can be confusing.”

Zac Efron described the drugs as “a social lubricant.” adding, “And once I needed that, it became to go anywhere.” The actor added that he got to the point where he cared less about working and more about the weekend where he could “go out and sort of let loose and have fun.”

Eventually, Efron realized he had an addiction, saying, “But then when Monday and Tuesday were difficult to get through, I was like, ‘Oh this is bad.'”

E! News confirmed last September that Efron completed a stint in rehab earlier in the year. A source told the site at the time, “He’s healthy, happy and not drinking. He’s taking time to focus on working.”

The actor echoed those comments in his discussions with Bear Grylls, saying, “I just really want to never again have to take anything from the outside into me to feel good about my outside, to be comfortable in my present skin.”

While making the press rounds for That Awkward Moment, Zac Efron told E! News, “I’m in the best place I’ve ever been.”

[Image via Us Weekly]