James Argent celebrates one year of sobriety after near fatal overdose

The TOWIE star opened up about his seven-year drug addiction earlier this year

James Argent

by Nathan Katnoria |
Published on

James Argent has revealed he’s been sober for a year after suffering an almost fatal drug overdose at the end of 2019.

The TOWIE star was admitted to hospital and later checked himself into a rehab facility in Thailand but has since turned his life around after giving up alcohol and drugs.

A year on, Arg is celebrating 12 months of sobriety and has been given an anniversary keyring from his Cocaine Anonymous support group to mark the special occasion.

The keyring is emblazoned with the words “hope”, “faith” and “courage”, as well as the quote, “We’re here and we’re free”.

Arg shared a picture of the token on his Instagram story and wrote, “One year clean and sober 🙏🏼 a huge milestone I’m extremely proud of ❤️.”

CHECK OUT James Argent's weight loss journey

Gallery

James Argent weight loss journey - slider

James Argent - 20101 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2010

Arg is an OG TOWIE star and when the series first aired back in 2010 he was in a relationship with Lydia Bright.

James Argent - 20142 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2014

James was suspended from the reality show that threw him into the limelight following allegations that he failed a drug test.

James Argent - 20153 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2015

The reality star decided to switch up his lifestyle and enter rehab; he even spent Christmas Day at The Priory (the same rehab facility Katie Price spent time in during September 2018). A few months later the reality star revealed on This Morning that it was "the best decision" he has ever made.

James argent 20164 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2016 (March)

In 2016 after gaining weight, Arg attended two weight loss retreats; one in Norfolk and the other in Ibiza. After his fitness overhaul the TOWIE star dropped from 19st 1lb to 16st. He also went from 48 to 40 inches around his waist.

james argent 20165 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2016 (July)

Arg told The Sunthat waking up at 6am helped him feel like a "new man". He explained: "I am not going to lie - it has been incredibly tough and, yes, I have had the odd lapse."But I am thrilled to have lost three-stone and I do genuinely feel like a new man."

james argent 20166 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2016 (October)

At the end of 2016, Arg confessed on Instagram that he was "gutted at how unfit" he was. However he ended his post on a positive and insisted: "I'll get there and maintain it this time!"

James Argent - 20177 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2017

In 2017 Arg flew out to a rehab facility in Thailand. He spent 10 weeks out there and manages to lose another stone. Arg's friend Jack Tweed revealed all the fitness activities he had been doing during his time abroad."He said he's been doing loads of stuff like Muay Thai boxing, jungle trekking, abseiling down waterfalls and zip lining."He's been eating really healthy food and he's lost over a stone. Arg is in a really good place at the moment and I hope he keeps it up, for his sake and his family's sake," he told new! magazine.

James Argent - 20188 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2018

The on-off TOWIE couple (Arg and Gemma) split in July 2018 but then reunited the following month. After getting back together, Arg decided to take a break from the ITVBe show and seek treatment. A source told The Sun: "James was under a dark cloud recently and has made the brave decision to enter back into a programme to help him get back on track."He has been attending regular therapy and secondary care at an outpatient treatment facility in London."

James Argent - 20199 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2019

Despite struggling with his weight, Arg posted a video of the GC snoring and apparently fat-shamed her. It resulted in him being dumped but the pair reunited and managed to move on from the incident.

James Argent - 201910 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2019

In April, weight loss professional Steven Miller revealed he was concerned about James Argent's weight and even warned he could be on 'death row'.

James Argent - 201911 of 16

James Argent - 2019

Following the warning the reality star revealed he was taking up boxing to kick start his weight loss. He then vowed on This Morning to take control of his weight after Dr Ranj revealed he was significantly obese, long term he needed to lose 10 stone and drop 17 inches off his waist.

James Argent - 201912 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2019

Despite being dumped by the GC earlier on in the year after fat-shaming her, he then appeared to make more mean comments about her figure on her TV show. Fans urged Gemma to split from her boyfriend following his 'disgusting' insults.

James Argent - 201913 of 16
CREDIT: Getty Images

James Argent - 2019

In August as Arg prepared to swim the English Channel for Stand Up To Cancer it came to light that in the past two years he has gained ten stone.

James Argent - 201914 of 16
CREDIT: Instagram / real_arg

James Argent - 2019

Although they didn't swim the entire English Channel, the Stand Up To Cancer team got pretty far before the weather conditions made them cut their journey short. Following his stint, Arg revealed he was heading back to the gym before teasing bigger things are on the horizon in 2020.He wrote on Instagram: "I'm going to have the biggest comeback of 2020!!! "After a few years of absence I'm now officially a member of @davidlloydchigwellofficial My 1st swim ud83cudfca‍♂ufe0f since attempting the epic challenge of the #EnglishChannel Its good to be back! ud83dude4cud83cudffd❤ufe0f".

James Argent - 202015 of 16
CREDIT: Instagram /real_arg

James Argent - 2020

At the beginning of 2020 it was reported that Arg flew out to Thailand and entered rehab following allegations of a 'second overdose'.

James Argent - 202016 of 16
CREDIT: Instagram / real_arg

James Argent - 2020

While flogging curries on Instagram, Arg showed off his impressive five-stone weight loss.

James Argent sobriety
©Instagram/@real_arg

Last month, Arg, 33, shared a video reflecting on the overdose, which took place on his 32nd birthday.

He told his followers, “A year ago today on my birthday I was rushed into hospital after a near fatal drug overdose.

“Today I’m over 11 months clean & sober, If I can achieve this in 2020 with everything against me then I believe I can achieve anything. Thank you for your love & best wishes. I will continue to make my family, friends and supporters proud of me."

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Arg first began dabbling with drugs when he joined the cast of TOWIE in 2010 but eventually his addiction worsened to the point he suffered two overdoses in the space of the year before he decided to get clean.

The reality star described his addiction as "a never-ending tale of destruction" but after hitting rock bottom on Christmas Day 2019, he rang his BFF Mark Wright and asked for help.

"I just knew that if I don’t get better and I don’t get it right now, I’m gonna die... Mark got in contact with the owners of this boot camp in Thailand who agreed that I could travel there on New Year’s Eve," Arg explained.

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