I used alcohol as a crutch to deal with stage anxiety: Eminem

Los Angeles: Rapper Eminem says he began to consume heavy amount of alcohol in the early days of his career as a means to deal with the fear of performing on stage.

The 41-year-old singer, who rose to popularity with the release of his 1999 album The Slim Shady LP, had severe drug issues in the past. "Early in my career when things started happening so fast, I think it was more liquor than anything. I was using it was a crutch more for anxiety to go onstage," Eminem told Rolling Stone magazine. "I`m not saying I wouldn`t have become an addict if I never got famous. It was more about `I need this onstage? I can`t handle this many people looking at me`," he added. The singer, who took help for overcoming his addiction, is happy to have finally conquered his problem. "I`m as happy as I can be, I guess. Hip-hop saved my life, man. It`s the only thing I`ve ever been even decent at. I don`t know how to do anything else," he said.