Former Voice Australia contestant Adam Ludewig reveals marijuana addiction – and how he beat it

A former Voice Australia favourite has revealed he’s finally kicked a devastating addiction – and he’s urged others to follow the same tune.

Former Voice Australia star Adam Ludewig has revealed he battled a secret $800-a-week marijuana addiction which almost cost him his music career and affected his mental health.

The singer from Two Wells, who shot to fame on Nine’s reality TV show in 2020, admitted he used marijuana for four years “all day every day” until he kicked the habit about two months ago. Ludewig said he started using marijuana just prior to his appearance on The Voice, but it escalated as he tried to deal with his growing fame post-television.

“Once I came off the Voice, I was using it a bit... I was thrown into fame and it was overwhelming for me. I used that to numb it and it grew into an everyday thing,” he told The Advertiser.

“As soon as I woke up, until I went to bed, I’d smoke a lot. When I was on it, I wasn’t able to write (music), my mind was absolutely blank. Music just wasn’t a priority for me.

“I lost friendships. I lost my music manager. Most importantly, I lost myself along the way.”

Beloved for his flowing locks and booming voice, Ludewig was just 16 when he turned all four coaches’ chairs during his blind audition, eventually joining Guy Sebastian’s team.

Known as Mr Mullet on the singing show, Ludewig said he would spend up to $800-a-week on the addiction - which he kept hidden from all but his closest family and friends - as he went through a string of jobs.

“The only thing I cared about was where my next high was coming from,” he said.

The Voice star Adam Ludewig. Pics: Supplied by Nine.

The Voice Australia SA finalist Adam Ludewig. Picture: Supplied.

Diagnosed with ADHD and autism at an early age, Ludewig often used marijuana while performing on stage to battle his crippling stage fright.

The singer said the addiction affected his mental health and changed him as a person.

“I was never an angry person but if I didn’t have it, I’d get very angry,” he said.

Now working as a traffic controller, Ludewig said an ultimatum from his boss was the catalyst for him to quit the drug “cold turkey”.

“My boss said to me you either give it up or you’ll lose your job,” he said.

“Do I stay on it and lose everything or do I try and make a change. The first two weeks were the hardest. It was constant, every day, I just wanted it... to this day I’m still fighting that.

“Now that I’m off it, I feel like I’m ready to start over. I’ve got mental clarity, I feel better as a person.”

With a renewed love of music, Ludewig is planning to release an album early next year, as he urged other drug addicts to follow his lead.

“I don’t want other people walking in my shoes. It might feel like the hardest thing but it’ll be the best decision you’ll ever make.

“You’ll feel like a normal person again.”