‘It’s Really Hard’: Matthew Perry Speaks Out On Overcoming Drugs Battle.

He made us laugh as Chandler Bing in ‘Friends’ but most of us were probably oblivious to his personal struggle with substance abuse during the latter years of the show.

Now Matthew Perry, who was given the Phoenix Rising Award from the non-for-profit organisation Pheonix House which helps rehabilitate those with drug and alcohol issues, has opened up about his journey to sobriety.

Credit: AKM-GSI

In a video for the Hollywood Reporter, which was released on his 46th birthday, Matthew talks about his own sober-living facility Perry House and the people he’s helped facing similar issues.

“Getting sober is a really hard thing to do, and I saw hope on the faces of the kids.“ Matthew comments.

Speaking on his dark past, he mused: “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life and a lot of wonderful accolades, but the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me stop drinking?’ I will say, 'Yes. I know how to do that.”

Despite having to deal with the issue while he was still filming the show, Matthew claims he is grateful that his ‘Friends’ fame is allowing him to change people’s lives.

“When I was in big trouble, it was so public because I was on a TV show that 30 million people were watching,“ he explains. "The fact that I [am] on TV makes people listen a little bit more, so I take advantage of that from time to time.”