The three-time Olympic champion admitted he had a weakness for alcohol a few weeks after pulling out of the British Swimming Championships, citing mental health issues for his withdrawal.
The 28-year-old said his issues, which he has spoken about in the past, had been exacerbated by both injury and the breakdown of his relationship with his partner.
But he said he was hopeful of coming out the other side as he rebuilds in his quest for yet more Olympic gold at Paris next year.
"It's been an incredibly lonely journey," Peaty told The Times. "The devil on my shoulder says, 'you're missing out on life, you're not good enough, you need a drink, you can't have what you want, you can't be happy.
"Honestly, I've been on a self-destructive spiral, which I don't mind saying, because I'm human. By saying it, I can start to find the answers."
Denne historien er fra April 24, 2023-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra April 24, 2023-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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