'I should look like Phantom of the Opera': Belinda Carlisle, 58, admits she took son to rehab to learn about drug addiction... as she insists she is 'lucky' to have overcome own battle
She first spoke of her 30 year battle with addiction back in 2011 and during a candid appearance on ITV's Loose Women, Belinda Carlisle, 58, has admitted she is 'lucky' to still be alive.
The 80s star, who found fame as a member of girl group The Go-Go's, admitted she had chosen to take her son to rehab to learn about drug addiction, after learning addiction can be 'genetic'.
And reflecting on her own battle, Belinda confessed that she was 'lucky' her looks have not been altered as a result, joking: 'I should look like the Phantom of the Opera.'
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Candid: Belinda Carlisle, 58, spoke of her battle with drug addiction and admitted she had taken her son James Mason to rehab with her after learning it could be 'genetic'
Appearing on Monday's episode of Loose Women, Belinda recalled her experience with her past troubles that saw her battle a cocaine addiction, as well as alcoholism.
The Heaven Is A Place On Earth hit-maker previously revealed she had experimented with drugs as early as 14-years-old and was keen for her own son, James Duke Mason - whom she shares with film producer Morgan Mason - not to follow suit.
James, who is now in his mid-20s, had gone along to rehab with his mother and explaining her decision to take him, Belinda told the panel: 'I took him since addiction is a genetic thing.
'He felt it was good for him to understand the nature of the beast.'
Family: The former Go-Gos bandmate explained she had wanted James (above) to learn of the dangers of drug addiction
Reflecting on her own experience with addiction, Belinda added: 'I've lost so many friends to drugs and the fact that I'm sitting here is really pretty amazing.'
She admitted her battle had come down to a matter of 'life or death' and remarked: 'I should look like the Phantom of the Opera. I’m lucky.'
Addressing her recovery, Belinda continued: 'You have to hit some sort of rock bottom - mine was a spiritual one. I was telling so many secrets and lies all the time.'
The star admitted she had hid her troubles from her husband Morgan - they had tied the knot in 1986.
Support: He had joined her at her 12-step recovery meetings when she first embarked on treatment - Belinda has been sober since 2005
'He knew in a vague sort of way,' Belinda confessed. 'Addiction is a disease of perception. You don't realise it has an effect on people around you.'
Choosing to overhaul her lifestyle, Belinda has been sober since 2005 - when she first started getting son James to accompany her to her 12-step recovery meetings.
She now doesn't drink or smoke and has undertaken yoga, claiming that she now has a much healthier outlook of undergoing 'everything in moderation'.
Along with her addiction battle, Belinda also spoke of how she dealt with learning about her son's sexuality when he told her he is gay in his early teens aged 14.
'It was life or death': Revealing the extent of her addiction battle, the 80s star admitted it is 'pretty amazing' that she is still here, having lost many friends to drugs in the past
Beauty: Grateful that her looks haven't suffered at the result of her past with drugs, Belinda joked she was 'lucky' she didn't look like 'the Phantom of the Opera'
Belinda admitted on Loose Women that she had kept his sexuality from her husband at first. She said: 'When I told my husband, he was like, "It's a faze," but it's 10/11 years later now.'
She revealed that at the time she had visited a psychiatrist to discuss James' sexuality, explaining: 'I went to my shrink about it and was like, "Is it something I did or said?" - all the stereotypical things, but no he was born gay.
'I just thought what kind of world is my son going to be facing.'
Despite her worries, Belinda revealed in an interview with The Metro in 2014 that both she and her husband Morgan are very supportive of James.
She said: 'There were indications along the way but when it’s your own child telling you he’s gay, no matter how gay-friendly you are, it’s still a shock.
'There was a struggle for a while but now we can’t imagine our son being any other way.'
Honest: Along with her addiction battle, Belinda spoke of how she dealt with learning about her son's sexuality when James first revealed he is gay in his early teens
Supportive: While she admitted she initially had concerns for her child, both Belinda and her husband Morgan are fully supportive of James and his sexuality
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