Silverchair’s Daniel Johns in rehab after ‘accident’

Former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns has shared a revealing social media post, detailing how he has checked himself into rehabilitation.

Johns, 42, went public with his recent struggle with substance abuse on Thursday, sharing in a statement that he had been “self-medicating” with alcohol to deal with his mental illnesses.

He said his breaking point came when he “got lost while driving”.

“As you know, my mental health is a work in progress. I have good days and bad days but it’s something I always have to manage,” Johns wrote.

“Alongside my therapy, I’ve been self-medicating with alcohol to deal with my PTSD, anxiety and depression. I know this is not sustainable or healthy.

“I have to step back now as I’m self-admitting to a rehabilitation centre and I don’t know how long I’ll be there. Appreciate your love and support as always.”

However, it is also understood the Australian rock legend has been charged with high-level drink-driving after a car accident late on Wednesday.

NSW Police said they had charged a 42-year-old man after two vehicles collided on the Pacific Highway at North Arm Cove, near Port Stephens in NSW, on Wednesday night.

“The northbound SUV and a southbound van collided in the southbound lane, with both vehicles coming to a rest in a nearby nature strip. Emergency services were called and attended a short time later,” police said.

The van driver, a 51-year-old man, and a 55-year-old female passenger were treated at the scene. The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment and has since been released.

“The driver of the SUV – a 42-year-old man – was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District conducted a roadside breath test which returned a positive result,” police said.

“He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he underwent a secondary breath analysis which returned an alleged reading of 0.157.”

He will appear in court on April 11.

In his Instagram post, Johns said he had started experiencing panic attacks in recent days, and admitted he was involved in a car accident on Wednesday night.

Johns said he got “lost” behind the wheel, but assured his fans he was OK, as was everyone involved.

Fans and music industry colleagues were quick to lend their support to Johns after his Instagram post on Thursday.

Among them was former wife Natalie Imbruglia.

“Love you so much. You’ve got this,” she wrote.

Imbruglia and Johns were a couple for more than a decade, and married for five until they split in 2008.

Others to add their support included American songwriter Zach Myers, Jessica Origliasso of the Veronicas, and actors Kenny Caperton and Benjamine Ayres.

Johns has long advocated for mental health awareness and getting help with mental illness.

In 2016 the former Silverchair frontman admitted he had battled crippling stage fright and a “serious” anxiety disorder for 15 years — since the band’s debut album in 1995.

Johns, who was just 15 when Silverchair’s wildly-acclaimed Frogstomp album was released, found himself and his band thrust into the global spotlight.

Their music skyrocketed onto the domestic and international charts and their grudge look and enigmatic sound captured audiences around the world, with songs, including Shade and Suicidal Dream, addressing mental health issues and seeking help.

However, the instant rise to fame sparked what Johns described as a “pretty serious anxiety disorder”, and that he did not know to cope with it.

In 2021, Johns gave insight into his often-private life as part of a Spotify podcast documentary where he discussed the price of fame and further revealed his battle with anxiety.

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