James Argent says he’s still in regular therapy as he encourages other addicts to get help

James Argent has revealed he is still in regular therapy to help him stay on top of his addiction issues as he encouraged others in the same position to seek help.

The reality TV star who found fame on TOWIE has been open about his struggles with cocaine addiction, which he first spoke about battling in 2020, and posted on social media to urge other addicts to find help in a new year video.

Read more: James Argent 'having Adele moment' as he shows off 13 stone weight loss

Recording the message in association with Verve Health Rehab, the addiction and mental health clinic which helped him to get control of his addiction, he said: "Hi everyone. I hope you had a fantastic Christmas and you’ll go on to have a great New Year. However, this time, especially of suffering addicts, the festive season can be really, really tough.

"I know because I’ve been there myself and, even to this day, I’m still in regular talks, regular therapy, counselling, aftercare with the guys at Verve Health.

"They’ve really helped me and they can help yourselves. Whether you’re an addict yourself that’s really struggling, or whether you’re a friend of an addict or a family member, there is help out there. You don’t have to suffer in silence."

Arg was supported by his celebrity pals in the comments on his Instagram post, with Eddie Boxshall, Bobby Seagull and ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright's mum Debbie all offering their praise to him on posting about the issue.

Read more: James Argent sorry for calling Gemma Collins a 'hippo'

The TV star looked noticeably slimmer in the video after his recent 13 stone weight loss as a result of gastric surgery last year.

Arg, 34, had found himself overeating after tackling his drug addiction, weighing 27.5 stone at his heaviest when he decided to opt for surgery after doctors told him that COVID could kill him because he was so obese.

He has also been working hard in the gym since his surgery and appeared on Loose Women earlier today where he met and interviewed other men who had struggled with a range of eating disorders.

As his mum Patricia spoke about noticing his weight creeping up and his activity levels decreasing in lockdown, Arg admitted: "I’ve been suffering with a binge eating disorder for over half of my life and although people might think that condition is quite rare, more people actually suffer from binge eating disorders than what they do from anorexia and bulimia."

Watch: Gemma Collins says James Argent's drug addiction 'ripped through' her family