By NATASHA HARRIS
Two years ago American pop singer Beth Hart was in Auckland's Odyssey House treating her alcohol and drug addiction.
Yesterday she was back in town, recovered and eager to help troubled youths.
Ms Hart is in town to sing at tomorrow night's Christmas in the Park in Auckland Domain
and promote her new single.
Yesterday she took time to visit Youthline and advise teenagers that there is always help around. "Don't be afraid to raise your hand and ask for help, because you can't get help if you don't ask," said Ms Hart.
"I used to think everyone but me had it together and I felt like a loser. "But then I realised that, yeah, that person may have it together but at some point they've been down too."
The 30-year-old singer said that three years ago, she was so sick she could hardly talk. After the success of her single LA Song, which went to number one in New Zealand, she had ended up in jail and hospital.
"I had success for the first time and because I'd always been the loser guy, I didn't know how to handle it. Now, I feel so grateful to be alive," Ms Hart said.
While she is no longer an addict, Ms Hart said that in order to stay sober, she needs to help people.
All proceeds from her new single, Lifts You Up, sold in New Zealand will go to Youthline.
