FORMER Super League and NRL great James Graham has opened up on alcohol abuse and depression in an emotional revelation.

Graham has long been an outspoken champion of mental health issues as well as depression, but he has now revealed that he suffered a relapse last year, checking himself into rehab.

However, Graham stayed for just one week – when the duration is set at three – with work getting in the way.

“My best mate from school, we talk every day,” Graham explained on The Bye Round podcast.

“When I was away on the tour recently and having a decent drinking sesh, I go off my phone, and the next time we spoke he said something that hit me between the eyes.

“He said, ’Lad, I actually genuinely worry you’ve done something when I don’t hear from you’.

“I’d never do that.

“And I think that’s important to know, and he knows that too, but I think to hear your friend say that (is eye opening).

“Not many people know about this … I made the decision to go to rehab. When I said I was away on holidays, I was a week in a facility for mental health. Which wasn’t long enough.

“You’re supposed to stay there for three but due to the job, I couldn’t disappear for three weeks. Disappearing for one week was difficult enough.

“I’m pretty good at justifying things, if I was involved in an accident and had an illness and I needed three weeks off work I’d do it, but for some strange reason (I didn’t stay).

“One of the reasons why I didn’t was because people would know, but why would I care if they know or not?”

Graham has recommended any person to go to rehab

“I can’t recommend it highly enough,” he continued.

“I had a really good short term fix for me, I felt like a new person.

“Was so nerve wracking going in, in the week I spent there I felt like I learnt so much and started to see things differently, but I’ve started to slip back into old habits.

“Unnecessary drinking and abuse of alcohol.”