‘Teen Mom’ Star Amber Portwood Opens up About Struggles With Drug Addiction
During a recent interview with RadarOnline, "Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood opened up about her continued struggles with drug addiction and her adjustment to life after prison.
RadarOnline reports, Portwood spent 17 months in prison due to drug charges.
While she was in prison, Portwood suffered from an addiction to prescription pills and continues to struggle with drug addiction following her prison release.
Even though she is no longer in jail, Portwood revealed that the temptation to give in to her drug addiction is at an all-time high.
"I didn't realize when I did get out that I would have even more temptation out here than I would in there," Portwood told Radar. "And I had to prepare myself for that."
Portwood's first temptation with drugs began on her first day out of jail.
"The first day I was out ... it's whenever things are overwhelming for me, or any sort of emotion -- sadness, depression, anything -- it is very easy to go back to doing drugs because you don't want to feel that way," she admitted. "You just have to stay strong and remember what you're doing and move forward."
Part of Portwood's ability to stay strong stems from what she learned attending rehab classes in prison. Portwood explained that her rehab classes have allowed her to become more aware and less "shocked" about the temptation she is now faving following her release.
"I did 500 hours of rehab classes in prison," she said. "I was well aware of what was going to happen when I got out. It wasn't a shock to me. It does bother me on an almost everyday basis but it is starting to get easier."
While Portwood adjusts to life after prison, she admitted to making conscious efforts to stay away from partying and friends who have been bad influences on her.
"I don't go out really. I stay with friends and family. I moved 20 minutes away, to a small town -- and I'm just trying to do everything right," she said.
"A lot of times it just depends on what I'm feeling, if I'm depressed or I'm sad or I'm bored, I have to learn to cope with it and I have to learn to do things. If I'm bored, I'll call somebody or I'll go do something or I'll take a drive."
RadarOnline reports, Portwood also suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. However, the "Teen mom" star reveals to not being on "any kind of medication" for her medical diagnosis.
"I'm not on any kind of medication. I'm kind of scared to go to a doctor. It is hard but the sad thing about it is that I probably do need to be on medication for my bipolar but I kind of messed that up to where, at this moment, I don't feel I would be strong enough to go to a doctor," she said. "I'm just afraid."
Portwood's life after prison will be documented on MTV's newest special with the original "Teen Mom" cast members set to air in 2015, TV Guide reports.
What are your thoughts on Amber Portwood's continued struggle with drug addiction? Will you be watching her on "Teen Mom?" Share your comments below.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of latinpost.com