Former reality television star Jed McIntosh has delivered a stark and shocking confession, stating he is lucky to be alive after a long and perilous struggle with addiction.
A Harrowing Battle with Addiction
The 27-year-old, who appeared on the 2023 season of The Bachelors, revealed he has overdosed three times on a combination of drugs and alcohol during years of substance abuse. McIntosh admitted he has 'done every drug under the sun' and recounted waking up in alleyways, with his habit leading to multiple hospitalisations.
"I really should be dead, to be honest," McIntosh told the Before The Blow Up podcast. "I've ended up in hospital multiple times... I've done so many things to my body that I shouldn't be here." He traced the roots of his addiction back to high school, where he began experimenting with drugs as a way to cope with unresolved childhood trauma, though he takes full responsibility for his actions.
Finding Sobriety Through Faith
Now sober, McIntosh credits his religious faith as the cornerstone of his recovery. He explained that while he was baptised at age six, he only began "living for God" around five years ago. He describes his survival as "by the grace of God," stating that without his faith, he would not be alive today, either physically, spiritually, or mentally.
"He saves me every single day," McIntosh said. "I have not got to this position of heart by my own doing at all, because when I was living my life by my own doing, it was just so crap and so shocking."
Life After Reality TV and Relationship Breakdown
McIntosh's personal struggles unfolded in the public eye following his appearance on The Bachelors. During the show's finale, he proposed to fellow contestant Alésia Delaney, who declined the offer, though the pair initially decided to continue their relationship.
That relationship ended in February 2023, with Delaney announcing the split on social media, noting they had experienced "lots of ups and downs." Just days after the breakup was made public, McIntosh was photographed being affectionate with another woman at an event in Melbourne. All three relationships formed on that season of the dating show have since ended.
If you or someone you know needs confidential support regarding addiction, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Reach Out. In an emergency, always call 000.
