EXCLUSIVE: The X Factor star reveals how a common skin disease led to alcoholism and depression – as he admits to drinking a bottle of scotch a night to cope
Former X Factor Australia star Jason Owen has opened up and spoken candidly about his battle with the bottle and severe depression.
The 27-year-old said he struggled to come to terms with his Psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes painful bumps and patches on the skin, that turned him to alcohol.
Jason, who has since turned his life around, said he developed ‘a chronic alcohol problem’ after years of bullying about his skin and feeling insecure.
EXCLUSIVE: The X Factor’s Jason Owen reveals he developed ‘a chronic alcohol problem’ and severe depression due to his Psoriasis – and would drink a bottle of scotch a night from an ice cream tub. Pictured with wife Becy
Jason told Daily Mail Australia that he’s sharing his story on World Psoriasis Day to help others who might be struggling themselves.
‘Suffering with this disease isn’t easy 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,’ Jason explained.
‘It has also caused me immense physical pain as the lesions can itch like crazy and bleed.’
A good cause: Jason told Daily Mail Australia that he’s sharing his story on World Psoriasis Day to help others who might be struggling themselves
‘Suffering with this disease isn’t easy 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,’ Jason explained
‘I have never been brave enough to reveal the really dark side of what that led to – a chronic alcohol problem.’
Jason said he felt ‘great shame’ over his battle with the booze and things got so dark he would drink a bottle of scotch a night and sometimes out of a one litre ice cream tub that he would use as a big ‘cup’.
‘It was my horrible dirty little secret,’ he explained.
‘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 revealed things got so dark he cancelled gigs, didn’t show up to family events and ‘wondered if he wanted to be around anymore’.
‘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,’ he said.
He added: ‘I felt absolutely pointless in life and just a complete waste of oxygen.’
Candid: Jason said he felt ‘great shame’ over his battle with the booze and things got so dark he would drink a bottle of scotch a night and sometimes out of a one litre ice cream tub that he would use as a big ‘cup’
Jason revealed his Psoriasis developed when he was 18 years old, due to stress from rising to fame on The X Factor Australia back in 2012.
But the singer has since turned his life around and is now happily married to wife Becy.
The couple tied the knot in June in a rusty country chic wedding in Albert, in regional 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: But the singer has since turned his life around and is now happily married to wife Becy