How Zac Efron kicked cocaine addiction and his 'fears'

Zac Efron overcame his substance abuse struggles by picking up the hobbies he had previously shunned over fears he would be followed.

The actor rose to prominence on Disney franchise High School Musical, but behind the fame and fortune, he struggled to deal with the constant media intrusion and always attracting a crowd whenever he stepped out in public.

He turned to cocaine and alcohol to help him escape his troubles, and ended up undergoing two stints in rehab in 2013.

Now clean and sober, Zac admits he had to make huge changes in his lifestyle to stay on the straight and narrow.

'Crossing the line of fear is what leads to greatness.' Photo / Getty Images

"What I found is structure," he explained to Elle magazine. "That led me to a balance of opposites. You get out of life what you put in."

Describing his previous daily routine, he said, "There was a moment when my morning routine was, like, get up and Google yourself. But that stopped, dramatically and instantly, probably three years ago. I realised that viewing yourself through other people's pictures is not living your own life. I wasn't really being myself. A lot of my hobbies had gone out the window. I couldn't skateboard or surf for fear of being followed."

Zac has since taken back control of his life by resuming the sporting activities he had previously enjoyed, stating, "Crossing the line of fear is what leads to greatness."

The actor is also keeping himself busy with work, starring in the new Bad Neighbours sequel with pal Seth Rogen, and filming the movie reboot of the Baywatch franchise.

Zac Efron stars alongside Seth Rogen in the comedy Bad Neighbours 2.

The 28-year-old strips off his shirt in both films, and although he's gone nude onscreen before, he has yet to do a full-frontal scene - but that doesn't mean he is opposed to the idea - as long as the role is worth it.

"Let's just say I'm not opposed to anything," he smiled. "But if you're gonna pull your d**k out, it'd better be for an Academy Award-winning movie!"

Zac previously showed off his muscly physique in his underwear in 2012 drama Paperboy and disrobed for a funny scene in 2014 comedy That Awkward Moment.

- WENN