He conquered the charts in the 80s with hits including If You Were Here Tonight and Criticize.
But R&B singer Alexander O'Neal blames the hypocrisy of the music industry for his dwindling fame, claiming that he was never given a fair chance to redeem himself following his well-documented drug addiction.
The 61-year-old star has opened up about his 30-year struggle with cocaine for the first time since he suffered a relapse in February, when he was caught binging on the class-A substance in a budget hotel shortly after leaving the Celebrity Big Brother house.
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Long battle: Alexander O'Neal has opened up with his 30-year struggle with cocaine addiction for the first time since he suffered a public relapse in February
Alexander lamented the fact that drugs are always mentioned in association with his name, citing stars like Ozzy Osbourne as examples of people who have got off scot-free, whereas his own reputation has been tarnished.
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Share 20k shares'I didn't know the music industry was going to hold me hostage with it though for the rest of my career, the rest of my life', he told The Sunday Mirror.
Alexander refused to go to rehab following his relapse earlier this year, revealing that he doesn't feel the need because he's a master of managing his own addiction.
Back in the day: Alexander, pictured in 1989, found fame thanks to R&B classics like Criticize and If You Were Here Tonight
Fall from grace: The star regrets that his well-documented drug use has haunted him throughout his career
'I didn't go to rehab because I am rehab, I've been to enough rehab to teach that s**t', he said. 'When you fall, you just got to keep getting up and keep going.'
The star described himself as an 'admitted addict' during the interview, but declined to say whether he was still using.
He insisted that he won't let his drug battle affect his job and would never go on stage high compared to 'back in the day' because his fans mean too much to him.
Relapse: Alexander, who branded himself an 'admitted addict', claims he doesn't need to go to rehab because he's the only person who can make decisions for himself
Alexander began his music career with R&B group Flyte Tyme, who then became Prince's backing band, before embarking upon a solo career.
Following his short-lived stint in the CBB house the crooner has been masterminding a musical comeback and is due to record a new single with Basement Jaxx called Time To Rectify.
He hit the headlines earlier this year when he clashed with US gossip blogger Perez Hilton during the controversial series of the Channel 5 reality show.
Alexander was given an official warning for using a homophobic slur during an explosive argument with Perez, who had been deliberately trying to wind him up.
The singer made the sensational decision to quit, revealing that his clash with Perez had left him unsettled. He told housemates, 'No man taunts me ever, you don't play with me.'
'I have had a great experience with you guys and I have mad love for almost all of you. I want you guys to not be sad that I'm leaving and to not let my departure interrupt your experience', he declared.
Alexander's spokesperson told MailOnline the singer takes each day as it comes, revealing: 'As Alexander says, every day he doesn't use is a step closer to where he wants to be.'
Sent packing: The 61-year-old star has no regrets about going on Celebrity Big Brother, but wishes he had been able to complete the experience because he's 'no quitter'
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