Kate DeAraugo reveals she went on a meth bender in the disabled toilets at Brisbane Airport and missed FIVE flights: 'I was unable to stop'

Kate DeAraugo has spoken out about the horrific moment she hit rock bottom while struggling with meth addiction, describing it as one of the most difficult periods of her life.

The former Australian Idol star, 40, made the painful admission on a recent episode of the Dos and D podcast, admitting one particularly painful moments saw her missing several flights at an airport, as she took drugs in the bathroom.

'I just had a flashback that I had totally forgotten about. I had sat in the disabled toilets and missed five flights, smoking meth,' DeAraugo began.

'To put it into perspective about how out of control I was, I flew to Brisbane a few months ago and I hadn't been to the airport in ages. I came down to get my bags and I had this flashback I had totally forgotten about,' she added.

'In the toilets, smoking meth... How I didn't get arrested, I don't know how I did it. I was so unable to stop, I couldn't function. I didn't know how I was going to get out of this bathroom, I had to get back to Victoria somehow!

'That's where my using took me... to places where I was just a shell of a human being.'

Fortunately, Kate revealed she was later able to get help after checking into a rehabilitation clinic.

'I did 10 rehabs in like 12 years. My boyfriend at the time had gone to jail so I thought going to rehab would be a really good idea. I needed more help and was recommended a place called Sober Living,' she admitted. 

She then revealed the very surprising person who managed to help her through her darkest days – retired AFL star Gavin Crosisca. 

'He was a safe person, I felt connected to him,' she said. 

In 2023, DeAraugo spoke out about receiving support from the most unlikely source when she hit rock bottom, from the Collingwood player.

DeAraugo – who won the hit reality TV show in 2005 – began her journey to recovery following an arrest in 2017 for possession of crystal meth, a large knife and tomahawk in Bendigo.

She then underwent a long-term stint at the Sober Living Rehab treatment centre – run by 1990 premiership winner Crosisca – and is now celebrating years of sobriety.

'I was there for a long time,' she told the Herald Sun of her friendship with Crosisca. 

'So we had many chats over the time and we were able to relate on another level again.

'But it wasn't about the fame, it was about two people being able to understand the feelings that got us to this place we ended up in.'

Crosisca endured a lengthy two-decade battle with drug addiction and has admitted to snorting speed daily.

Yet regardless of the fame that both DeAraugo and Crosisca had enjoyed, the singer says that the footy star's understanding of her struggles is the point at which they connected.

'That was the greatest support and comfort,' she said.

'It didn't matter how famous or important he was, it didn't matter how famous or important I was. He understood how I felt.

'Despite all the noise and the fame, being able to relate to someone in the darkest times is the most important thing.'

DeAraugo has since given birth to a 'miracle' baby boy, while Crosisca has been sober for 15 years.

If you, or someone you know would like to talk to someone confidentially about addiction, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit au.reachout.com. In an emergency, call 000.