FORMER Emmerdale star Alicya Eyo has revealed she was forced to check herself into rehab for alcoholism after leaving the soap.
The actress – who played Ruby Haswell in the ITV soap between 2011 and 2015 – struggled to cope after her exit and ended up losing everything.
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Speaking on Sunday’s Soap From the Box Podcast, Alicya said: “In 2017 I got to a point in my life, having left Emmerdale, a relationship breakdown, I basically turned to alcohol, which wasn’t great.
“So I ended up losing everything, including myself. That was the main thing.
“So I went to a rehab called Transforming Choice in Liverpool which is the most amazing place. They helped me figure out why I was doing what I was doing.
“It was the best and the worst three months of my life, if I’m being honest. I was a bit scared of going to rehab and people knowing who I am.
“I think that’s why I put it off, and I did put it off for quite a long time simply for that reason.
“That people would recognise me and judge me. But actually the facility I went to there was no judgement whatsoever. It was brilliant. They made me openly talk about it and feel ok about it.”
Alicya also opened up about how she struggled in lockdown revealing she has “really suffered”.
“Then the first lockdown we had, all fine, all good,” she said.
“Then this lockdown has been really difficult for me. Fortunately I’ve had the support of my mum, my brother and my partner who have got me through it.
“I’ve really, really suffered, if I’m being honest. You’re just scared of going back to where you were before. That’s essentially what I did.”
She added: “I learnt so much about myself in rehab, it was amazing and I spent a good few years sober and then this hit. I just found it so hard.
“If you have mental health issues initially then lockdown just heightens things.
“The thing is, people need to speak about it more. Get help, that’s it, get help. I think people are maybe suffering now when they weren’t before, so if you are suffering, please reach out.”
