American actress, model, and singer, Hayden Panettiere has opened up for the first time about a secret addiction to opioids and alcohol; saying it took a huge toll on her life and career.

Hayden who is best known for her lead roles as Claire Bennet on the NBC superhero series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in the ABC/CMT musical drama series Nashville has been off the scene for quite some time now. The last time she was heard was when she was in a massive brawl with her boyfriend Brian Hickerson, back in March.

The beautiful actress in an interview on “Good Morning America,” has revealed that she struggled with substance abuse, as well as a battle with postpartum depression after having her 7-year-old daughter, Kaya.

According to her, her addiction did harm her a lot especially in her career saying, “I was on top of the world and I ruined it.” She added that as time went by, the drugs and alcohol became something she almost couldn’t live without.

Hayden says at one point, her alcohol addiction got so bad that she was hospitalized, suffering from jaundice, and the docs warned her liver was going to give out. Now, she seems to be better than ever, happy to be getting a second chance.