Home and Away star Emily Weir explains why she spoke out over alcohol problems

 "I am in pursuit of the truth."

Home and Away actress Emily Weir has spoken candidly about her history of alcohol abuse and how she is on the "pursuit of truth".

Weir joined the Australian soap in 2019 as Mackenzie Booth and is currently appearing on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars.

While speaking to PerthNow about the dancing show, she revealed that the reason she has spoken so openly about her alcohol problems is because "being open" is the best way to be.

She said: "I am in pursuit of the truth. Being open is the way I operate."

Weir added: "There is a thin line between secrecy and privacy and I constantly have to remember that. That's how I learn about myself, by being as honest as I can about my story."

The star praised her mother for supporting her through the good and bad times.

"I owe it to my mum. I was always given my voice. She said raising me was hard because I ask a lot of questions," Weir said.

She had previously mentioned how she turned to drinking to deal with her anxiety and how she was "self-medicating with red wine".

With the help of Alcoholics Anonymous and a counsellor, the star managed to turn things around and own the problem so she could overcome it and move on.

During her interview, she shared that having a solid support unit around her also helped her move on.

She added: "Life is a wild ride and you can't really do it alone. The best thing I learned in my healing journey is to reach out. I don't really like to ask people for help. What I have learnt as I have got older is that is the only way forward. Be as open as you can. If you tell the truth, you can't get that sick. That's what I believe."

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5.