Married At First Sight star Gemma Rose Barnes says she used the show as 'rehab' after admitting to downing wine at 11am.
Fans of the show will remember Gemma from the 2022 version of the series, while paired up with personal trainer Matt Murray.
Last month she admitted that alcohol addiction has 'taken over her life'.
On Instagram, Gemma said the Covid-19 outbreak was 'the biggest catalyst', explaining: "I struggled to get better. I've been very, very poorly.
"Addiction is an illness. It's a disease and there is just so much help available. My addiction has left me pushing away friends and family.
Advert
"Pushing people away that were closest to me and still mattered, isolated myself. It left me in a really dark place."
The 31-year-old said that opening up about her struggles was 'hard', but that she'd promised she would 'always be open and honest'.
"I can't live my life with this illness anymore," she continued. "My life has become unmanageable.”
Advert
In a new interview, the MAFS star expanded on her alcohol usage during lockdown, while in isolation with her two sons Ozzy, 11, and Cash, five.
She told The Sun: "Having all that time with them during Covid was brilliant.
"But it was airport rules in my house.
"I was drinking a bottle of Martini Asti at 11 o'clock in the morning. I thought I was having a fantastic time - don't get me wrong - until I wasn't."
Advert
After deciding to join the show - which she says she saw as a little 'rehab' - Gemma says her drinking habit was harder to manage than she initially thought.
She said: "There was just more alcohol than I've ever seen. We had decanters and the production would be pouring six bottles and we'd all be like, 'Get as much wine as possible!'
"When I first went into the experiment, two weeks later than everyone else, I was sat at the table next to Thomas [Hartley] and he said 'Pour a glass of red and a glass of white and you'll see what I mean in a minute,' and it was gone."
Advert
Thankfully, the mum-of-two says she is now in a 'much better place'.
"Since I've been sober I haven't had a day off. I'm getting my passion back, and pushing to go back," she said.
"I really slacked with everything and now I do feel back to myself, and really well-rested.
"I want to be the mother that I was before Covid hit.
Advert
"I'm feeling really healthy and you can only concentrate on the things that you love and enjoy when you feel that way and I love and enjoy my children."
A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "During filming, alcohol consumption is at the discretion of individuals, but it is monitored and limited by the production team."
Topics: Celebrity, Married At First Sight
Anish Vij