Ex-Nova radio star Ash Bradman confronts his problem with alcohol

DISGRACED radio presenter Ash Bradnam has revealed he became a social recluse who lived a life of lies and deception to hide his addiction to alcohol.

DISGRACED radio presenter Ash Bradnam has revealed that he became a social recluse who lived a life of lies and deception to hide his addiction to alcohol.

The former Brisbane Nova FM morning show presenter kept vodka stashed in his car and would have his first drink of the day as soon as his shift finished, about 9.30am.

He'd then drive home to Surfers Paradise and continue drinking a bottle or more of vodka a day.

He said he kept secret the full extent of his problem, often hiding vodka bottles around the house that he shares with his wife Jodie and two children.

In an interview published in tomorrow's Qweekend in the weekend edition of The Courier-Mail, the popular presenter says that, outside work, he'd been a virtual recluse for the past five years because he could not trust himself socially.

"It took control of my life. The planning that goes into making sure that you're going to have alcohol around and the lies and deception you employ … it's just incredible how much energy that you put into ensuring you have something to drink because you know what the repercussions are going to be if you didn't. There's no-one you can talk to about it because you're living this lie that you're ok.''

The extent of Bradnam's problem became public when he was arrested for drink driving on the morning of his 37th birthday in October last year.

He recorded a blood-alcohol reading of .214 and in December was placed on 18 months' probation and banned from driving for 18 months. In February he was sacked from Nova.

Bradnam says the physical craving for alcohol was so bad he suffered episodes of vomiting and shaking while on-air. "I had really bad shakes. I was so nervous about going into work and keeping my hands in my pockets and having to be careful about picking up a cup of tea, using a pen or logging onto the computer.

"It actually affected my voice. I didn't want to go on air and be under the influence but by the same token I'd get these attacks if I went without alcohol for any length of time."

Bradnam said he had unsuccessfully tried rehabilitation programs on at least four occasions and at the time of the interview with Qweekend he was in a Gold Coast clinic trying to beat his addiction for good.

"I'd been to AA heaps of times before but I've never really listened before. I'd sat there and heard other people's stories and thought, 'yeah, yeah, but I'm strong and I can do it on my own'. It has only been after this last period that I have really listened and that has been the difference.

"I absolutely believe now that I have to lead a life of abstinence."

See Bradnam's full interview with Mike Colman in Saturday's Qweekend magazine.