James Argent reveals he is a cocaine addict and has suffered two near-fatal overdoses

TOWIE star James ‘Arg’ Argent has admitted he is a cocaine addict, and has been heavily using the drug for seven years. 

Speaking to The Sun, the reality TV star, 32, admitted he suffered two near-fatal overdoses at his home last year, and his girlfriend Gemma Collins called emergency services after his family feared he was dead. 

Arg says he is now in recovery after spending ten weeks at a Thailand boot camp, after calling his best friend and former TOWIE co-star Mark Wright for help when he reached rock bottom over Christmas 2019.  

Admission: TOWIE star James ‘Arg’ Argent has admitted he is a cocaine addict, and has been heavily using the drug for seven years

Speaking about his first overdose in October which triggered paranoia and psychosis, Arg said: ‘I locked myself in my house and took drugs for three days straight on my own in the pitch black.’

Adding that he regularly spent £500 a week on his cocaine habit, Arg said of his first overdose: ‘I was at rock bottom. My heart was beating out of my chest, my nose was bleeding, I was shaking and my breathing was terrible. 

‘My family were banging on the door screaming, ‘Open up’ but I wasn’t answering the door to anyone. They feared I’d overdosed and was dead in the house.’ 

Lean on me: It was after he found himself alone on Christmas Day 2019 and using cocaine that he decided things had to change, calling his best friend and former TOWIE co-star Mark Wright for help

Lean on me: It was after he found himself alone on Christmas Day 2019 and using cocaine that he decided things had to change, calling his best friend and former TOWIE co-star Mark Wright for help

It was Gemma who called the emergency services who forced the door. After tests it was agreed Arg did not need to go to hospital and could stay with his parents, but just two months later he overdosed again on the night before his 32nd birthday, as he admitted ‘my addiction was so bad I couldn’t stop myself.’ 

The second time he was hospitalised over fears for his heart, with Arg revealing that his worried friends took his phone away while he was in hospital in case he called his dealers. 

It was after he found himself alone on Christmas Day 2019 and using cocaine that he decided things had to change, calling his best friend and former TOWIE co-star Mark Wright for help.

'Spirit animal': Arg recently posted a throwback snap of his ten-week stint in rehab at a boot camp in Thailand

‘Spirit animal’: Arg recently posted a throwback snap of his ten-week stint in rehab at a boot camp in Thailand

Mark got his friend in touch with the owners of a Thailand boot camp, with Arg travelling there on New Year’s Eve, staying for ten weeks and losing five stone in weight.

He now attends an out patient facility near his Essex home regularly.  

Arg also explained during the interview that he first dabbled in drugs when he first shot to fame with Mark in TOWIE, but his loved ones only found out he had a problem when he was declared missing in 2014, after failing to turn up for a flight to Majorca for a paid appearance.  

Determined: The TV star started his fitness journey by taking part in swimming the English Channel in Sink Or Swim for Stand Up To Cancer in 2019 (pictured)

Determined: The TV star started his fitness journey by taking part in swimming the English Channel in Sink Or Swim for Stand Up To Cancer in 2019 (pictured) 

Revelation: Arg recently addressed his staggering weight loss as he shared a before and after photo on Instagram earlier this month.

New man: The former TOWIE star is continuing his recovery after he flew to Thailand earlier this year to go to rehab for his drug and drink addiction (pictured before)

Revelation: Arg recently addressed his staggering weight loss as he shared a before and after photo on Instagram earlier this month.

Arg recently showcased his staggering weight loss as he shared a before and after photo on Instagram earlier this month.  

He Arg posted a picture from a recent run, alongside a photo of himself at pal Elliott Wright’s son’s christening in April last year.  

The reality star captioned the post: ‘I’m making progress, Inside & Outside One day at a time’.

Dozens of the Arg’s celebrity pals applauded him for his efforts, while also encouraging him to stay motivated. 

Support: Dozens of the Arg's celebrity pals applauded him for his efforts, while also encouraging him to stay motivated

Support: Dozens of the Arg’s celebrity pals applauded him for his efforts, while also encouraging him to stay motivated

Turbulent: Arg is currently in lockdown without Gemma as the couple, who have had an eight-year on-off relationship, continue to isolate separately

Turbulent: Arg is currently in lockdown without Gemma as the couple, who have had an eight-year on-off relationship, continue to isolate separately

Arg is currently in lockdown without Gemma as the couple, who have had an eight-year on-off relationship, continue to isolate separately. 

Last month, the TV personality took to Instagram to lament how much he was missing the self-proclaimed diva with a romantic throwback snap of the pair in Paris. 

In the image, the on-off couple locked lips against the dazzling backdrop of the Eiffel tower at night.

Sharing how much he’s missing being without his reality star girlfriend, James penned: ‘Lockdown absolutely sucks without you GC but I understand you have to entertain the nation & put a smile on peoples faces at this difficult time! #imissyou #wellmeetagain.’ 

'Miss you': Last month, the TV personality took to Instagram to lament how much he was missing the self-proclaimed diva with a romantic throwback snap of the pair in Paris

‘Miss you’: Last month, the TV personality took to Instagram to lament how much he was missing the self-proclaimed diva with a romantic throwback snap of the pair in Paris

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