Drake Bell Talks Overcoming Substance Abuse, 'Darkest Moments’ When 'I Don’t Want to Continue'

“There’s two options: you either let it destroy you or you overcome it,” the 'Drake & Josh' star said

On the heels of the Quiet on Set investigative docuseries, which explored some of the toxic culture of children’s television shows that young actors and others endured in the 1990s and 2000s, Drake Bell is sharing how he’s gotten through some of his “darkest moments.”

During the Wednesday, May 1 episode of the Luminosity podcast and in honor of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the 37-year-old — who revealed the sexual abuse he experienced while working as a child actor for Nickelodeon — discussed his struggle with substance abuse.

The Drake & Josh star said he had an “issue choosing substances over friends” and those closest to him.

“Substances are always temporary, no matter what,” he told host Justin Crawford. “You are always going to crash and burn out. Temporary fix. And then when you’re out of it, you’re left with a mess that you gotta clean up.”

The "I Found a Way" singer said it’s much easier to “stay clean, stay sober, and stay on the right track.”

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Bell said he heard Matthew McConaughey and Mike Tyson both say something about “embracing the failures,” which has stuck with him and helped in his journey. He said his failures make his successes mean even more.

“It’s the people who get over those failures who become the Jeff Bezos, the championship fighters, the number one golfers, the best in business, the employee of the month,” he explained. “Those people who take the failures and are like, ‘Alright, I’m gonna learn from this. I’m not gonna let it destroy me. I’m gonna overcome it.’”

“So, if you’re in that storm, learn from it. Take the lessons. Take the punches,” he added.

Related: Stars Who've Spoken Out About Their Mental Health Struggles

During the podcast, Bell also explained how he has struggled with his mental health over the years, offering his own advice to anyone going through similar battles.

“In those moments where I think it’s over and I don’t want to continue, I really want to see what tomorrow holds,” the Nickelodeon alum explained. “When you’re in that darkness, people tell you, ‘Hey, tomorrow will be a better day.’ You’re like, ‘You don’t get what’s in my brain. You don’t get the hurt that I’m holding inside of me. You don’t understand what’s going on.’”

“And luckily for me, I do [get it],” Bell continued. “I can send that information across and say tomorrow is gonna be a better day. But it’s moment by moment. The next moment you’re gonna be hit by a huge tidal wave that throws you into complete anxiety and freaks you the freak out. But there’s two options: you either let it destroy you or you overcome it. And that’s a superpower.”

The new episode of Luminosity podcast premieres May 1 at 9 a.m. ET on all podcast-streaming platforms.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help or has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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