Daniel Johns’ heartbreaking message from rehab

Currently in rehab and facing possible jail time over a drink driving charge, the Aussie music star says he “feels like a complete f**k-up.”

Former silverchair frontman Daniel Johns has posted his first message on social media after announcing last month he was heading to rehab to deal with mental health and alcohol issues.

Johns, 42, publicly announced on March 24 that that he’d been in a car accident the day before after becoming “lost” while on the road, and that he’d been suffering from “panic attacks” recently. It was reported this week that he may face jail rime after pleading guilty to high-range drink driving.

“Alongside my therapy, I’ve been self-medicating with alcohol to deal with my anxiety and depression. I know this is not sustainable or healthy,” he wrote last month.

“I have to step back now as I’m self-admitting to a rehabilitation centre and I don’t know how long I’ll be there. Appreciate your love and support as always.”

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Johns at home in Newcastle during a recent TV interview. Picture: The Project / Channel 10

In his first update since entering rehab, Johns today told fans that he was only now realising the severity of his drinking problem.

“My drinking had become a bigger problem than I even realised, and how I have used it to help numb a range of deeper psychological issues that I’ve been living with since childhood. Some of these issues you know, and a lot cut much deeper. Alcohol is not medicine. I should never have treated it like it was. I feel like a complete f**k-up and I’m sorry,” began the note, which was transcribed from a phone call with Johns in rehab.

“I take full responsibility for my actions on the evening of March 23rd, I am deeply remorseful and I am working every day to make amends. I am handling these matters professionally and privately. For legal reasons, I am unable to talk specifics on social media or elsewhere until after June 22nd.”

Johns’ drink driving court case has been adjourned to June 22, with the star this week pleading guilty to high-range drink driving – which could see him serve jail time.

Daniel Johns: “My drinking had become a bigger problem than even I realised.” Picture: Luke Eblen

This personal setback came in the midst of what was supposed to be a career comeback for Johns, who was the subject of a recent podcast series examining his rise to fame and very public struggles. His second solo album FutureNever is set to be released next Friday, and Johns told fans he will still do his best to promote the new record “while I continue this long road of healing – some days are better than others.”

“I spent the last 12 months building this project and did a small amount of long-lead media so I’m hopeful we have enough there for you while I get my s**t together,” he continued.

He also explained that his team would be handling his Instagram account for the foreseeable future while he focused on getting better.

“April 22 represents a new beginning for so many reasons … for anyone facing their own demons, you are not alone. Love you all, see you on the other side.”

Johns (centre) has told fans he wouldn’t reform Silverchair ‘with a gun to my head’.

The Aussie music icon shocked fans during his publicity commitments last month when he confirmed that not only will he never reform silverchair, he never intends to perform live again.

“Some people write records so they can perform it live, which is completely cool, but I don’t write music so I can perform it,” Johns told Rolling Stone.

“I just don’t feel like a performing artist. I don’t feel like a touring artist. I feel like someone who needs to come up with stuff, and come up with new s**t.”

Johns had last year bluntly confirmed silverchair would never reform with him at the helm in the first episode of the podcast Who is Daniel Johns?

“I wouldn’t even get Silverchair back together for a million dollars with a gun to my head,” he said.