By Patrice Fidgeon

The former Bardot singer breaks her silence on her secret stint in rehab for marijuana addiction.

She became famous as the outspoken, sassy member of girl group Bardot, but six months ago Katie Underwood was a shadow of her former self.

After her marriage split, Katie — a self-confessed "recreational" marijuana user — developed a full-blown habit, smoking the drug to dull her pain and retreat from the world.

Shutting herself off from her family and friends, she'd stay home every night and smoke joints until she fell into a dreamless sleep. She lost all motivation and stopped writing music. Even the thought of socialising filled her with anxiety.

"I know, unquestionably, that pot [caused my anxiety] and it was one of those light bulb moments when I realised just how it had impacted on my life," Katie reveals to Woman's Day.

But it would take several more months before Katie, 33, finally faced her demons — and checked into rehab.