Amanda Bynes tackles the issue of a drug-related disaster in a new interview

After being away from the public for a few years, Amanda Bynes talked about her past – and her present – in Paper Magazine's annual "Break the Internet."

The former star talked about her drug problems and added that she only started to party at age 25 – and that she had never really drunk alcohol.

"I started smoking marijuana at the age of 16," she said. "I did not become addicted [then] and I did not abuse it. And I did not go out to party or ridicule myself … again. "

Bynes' drug use quickly accelerated to become more dangerous drugs, such as molly and ecstasy, although she admitted that she had been consuming the drug. cocaine only three times and did not like it. But the only drug that she liked – and later "abused", in her words – was Adderall.

"[I was] read an article in a magazine that [called Adderall] "The new lean pill" and they talked about how women took it to stay slim. I thought, "Well, I to have to get your hands on it, "said Bynes.

The more the actress had taken Adderall, the less she could focus on the filming of the movie "Hall Pass". Bynes then abandoned the film, but retained her use of Adderall, which she said had caused horrible feelings about her appearance and abilities. in the movie "Easy A."

"I literally could not stand my appearance in this movie and I did not like my performance. I was absolutely convinced that I had to stop acting after seeing it, "she said, before announcing that she was retiring from the office. act in a tweet at that time.

"I was rich in marijuana when I saw that, but for some reason, it really started to affect me. I do not know if it was a drug-induced psychosis or anything, but it affected my brain in a different way than other people. It absolutely changed my perception of things, "said Bynes.

The actress, who has been sober for four years, is rethinking his drug use and his activity on Twitter.

"I am really ashamed and embarrassed by what I said. I can not go back, but if I could, I would do it. And I'm really sorry for those I hurt and for whom I lied because it really eats me up. It makes me feel so horrible and sick with sadness and stomach, "said the 32-year-old.

"Everything I worked for all my life, ruined everything with Twitter," she said. "This is certainly not Twitter fault – it's my fault. "

Bynes has been in the headlines for years after receiving two impaired driving arrests, two hit-and-run offenses and a three-year driver's license. Although many people have wondered about the actress's mental health, she maintains that she is "normal" when she does not take any substances.

"These days of experimentation [with substances] have been for a long time. I am not sad and I do not miss it because I am really ashamed of the way these substances made me act, "said Bynes to Paper.

"When I was outside of them, I was completely back to normal and I immediately realized what I had done – it was as if a Alien had literally invaded my body. It's such a strange feeling. "

Last year, Bynes gave an interview for the first time in four years and talked about his drug use, his subsequent sobriety and his desire to return to the theater.

Read the Bynes interview on Paper Magazine and buy a copy here.

Need help with addiction or mental health issues? In the United States, call 800-662-HELP (4357) to obtain SAMHSA National Telephone Support.