Columbus Short, the former Scandal star who exited the show after a string of incidents including being arrested for public intoxication and battery as well as accusations of domestic abuse, has come clean about drug use and other circumstances that led to him leaving the show.
In a revealing sit-down with Access Hollywood, he revealed that a cocaine problem is to blame for his life unraveling.
"I'll be candid. I was struggling with drugs," he said. "I had a lot on my plate, and you know, I was using unhealthy ways to kind of self-medicate and deal with a lot of heavy duty stuff in my life."
The substance abuse addiction was the catalyst for multiple arrests, which he’s now taking responsibility for.
“I was doing cocaine and drinking a lot, and trying to balance a 16-hour work schedule a day, and a family, and, I just lost myself back then,” he said.
Short said he was dealing with marital issues and the death of his friend, Lee Thompson Young. He said he has since moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta and it has been “life changing” for him.
As for Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes, he said she “did know” about his issues and did her best to help.
“They protected me and they held me down. And that was one of the real reasons,” he said of leaving the show. “They just wanted me to get my stuff together.”
Short has since posted a lengthy message to his fans on Instagram.
image via Instagram from Columbus Short
image via Karl Larsen/INFphoto.com
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