Ukrainian singer Melovin, also known as Konstantin Bocharov, has for the first time openly shared details of his struggle with alcoholism. The singer admitted that after the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, alcohol became his constant companion.
In an interview with Maria Efrosinina's project “Exam. New Reality,” the artist noted that he started drinking after the start of the full-scale invasion. The Great War caused Melovin to think a lot about his life. He did not understand where to move on and how to build his life. The star tried to quell his obsessive thoughts with alcohol, but this only made it worse.
“The war created a gap between the past life, not because missiles were flying and you adapted to the world differently, but completely mentally. The worldview changed: “Who are you?”, “What do you want to do?”, “Were these your dreams or imposed by someone?” A lot of fears and images of childhood began to surface. It was like a catalyst – all processes were launched simultaneously,” Bocharov recalled.
One day Konstantin woke up and realized that he could not feel his hand at all. It was then that he first understood the seriousness of the situation. Melovin's hand was taken away for three days, after which he went to the doctors, who diagnosed the singer with the initial stage of cirrhosis of the liver.
“I lost my left arm for three days. I woke up like this one day and thought, ‘Well, my arm is numb.’ Evening comes, my arm doesn’t go away. The next day comes, my arm is numb. On the third day, my arm is even more numb. And then I got scared myself, I called my psychiatrist. She said, ‘You’re a f**k.’ The tests showed that I had steatohepatitis of the liver. I went for an ultrasound, and the woman told me, ‘Excuse me, but I’ve only seen livers like this in farmers who poison the fields, and those over 50.’ I said, ‘You just don’t understand the amount of alcohol I drank. I could have drunk two bottles of gin in one evening. I got drunk to oblivion,’” the celebrity shared.
However, even liver problems didn't stop the artist. He continued to drink, which led to him being diagnosed with another disease – diabetes.
“Alcohol provoked diabetes. I took tests and they told me: ‘Congratulations, you had prediabetes, and now you have diabetes.’ My sugar was 12-13 when the norm was 4,” added Konstantin.
Then the experts scared the star that he might not even live to be 30. Melovin then decided to make changes in his life and started with his team. He changed the musicians to those who do not drink alcohol. He was also greatly influenced by reading the book “The Queen's Move”. According to Bocharov, he recognized himself in the main character, because because of drugs and alcohol she lost herself and her career. In April last year, the musician completely gave up alcohol and currently does not drink.
“That day, I wrote on my phone: ‘April 23 – I no longer need alcohol.’ From that moment on, I don’t drink. This is my wartime legacy,” the performer concluded.
