Ex-GUNS N' ROSES Drummer STEVEN ADLER: 'It Is Time To Get Rid Of The Urges Of Drinking Alcohol'

Former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler recently checked into an undisclosed rehab center, forcing his band ADLER to postpone its summer tour.

Comments Steven: "I picked up a bottle and drank. This occurred a few times and that is a few times too many. I knew that this had to permanently stop. That is the moment I picked up the phone, before it got out of hand, to get help.

"I had kicked hard drugs several years ago and now it is time to get rid of the urges of drinking alcohol.

"I am at a great facility and will stay here until I am comfortable to be home to work the program on my own.

"I love you all for understanding, being patient and supporting my decision.

"Like my peers, I will beat this too, so I can return to music and beat my drums!"

The band issued a statement saying: "We are truly sorry to all of the fans and promoters who were looking forward to seeing us on the road, but right now Steven's health is the most important thing. We hope to make it up to everyone when Steven recovers." The dates are being rescheduled to the fall.

Adler was a cast member on the second season of "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" and also appeared in the first season of its spin-off series "Sober House". Adler was then forced to enter real rehab centers by a judge after getting arrested for DUI. He later appeared on season five of "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew".

Adler's history of drug use goes back to his boyhood years, when he began skipping school and taking drugs at the age of 11.

His addictions eventually led to his dismissal from GUNS N' ROSES, the band he played drums for from 1985 to 1990. After he was fired, he continued to struggle with addiction while facing financial ruin and life-threatening health problems.

Ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash, a recovering addict himself, told The Pulse Of Radio that he tried to help his old bandmate overcome his problems in 2007. "I went to Vegas to go get Steven out of the situation that he was in, which for 17, 18 years, ever since he was kicked out of the band, he's been a diehard junkie who's pretty much had one foot in the grave and one foot amongst us all this time," he said. "I went to go see him and he was in a really bad way, so I got him out of Vegas and sort of did like a mock intervention on him."

Steven Adler's autobiography, "My Appetite for Destruction: Sex, and Drugs, and Guns N' Roses", came out in July 2010. In the book, Adler tells all, fearlessly addressing his struggles with heroin and crack addiction; his financial ruin after being kicked out of GN'R; his shattered marriage; and the severe health problems that nearly claimed his life on several occasions.

(Thanks: destructivesounds)