Former Scandal Star Columbus Short Opens Up About Cocaine Abuse

Columbus Short, the former Scandal star whose life turned into a scandal itself in 2014, appeared on Access Hollywood Wednesday to discuss his eventful year.

The actor, who jokingly compared himself to Lemony Snicket because he's had what he describes as a "series of unfortunate events," revealed that he was struggling with cocaine addiction.

In the wake of his best friend's death (actor Lee Thompson Young committed suicide in 2013), Short says his life spiraled out of control. He was charged with felony battery for allegedly punching a man at a West Hollywood restaurant in March, and was also reportedly arrested twice for alleged physical altercations with his wife. He was eventually fired from Scandal, and his character was written out in Season 4.

"I'll be candid. I was struggling with drugs," Short told Access Hollywood. "I had a lot on my plate, and you know, I was using unhealthy ways to kind of self-medicate and deal with a lot of heavy duty stuff in my life... The real drugs—I did cocaine. I was doing cocaine and drinking a lot, and trying to balance a 16-hour work schedule a day, and a family, and, I just lost myself back then."

Short also admitted in the name of transparency that Shonda Rhimes and his Scandal family knew what was going on and they protected him. "They just wanted me to get my stuff together. Sometimes the bottom has to get dropped out for you to really get it," he said. "So I moved to Atlanta. I've been living there for the last five months, five-and-a-half months, and it's just been great. It's been life-changing."

You can watch Short's entire interview below: