Matthew Perry addresses past addiction problem

VENICE, Calif., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Matthew Perry has opened up about his past addiction to drugs and alcohol.

The 46-year-old actor reflected on his decades-long struggle with substance abuse in a new video in support of the Phoenix House. The nonprofit drug and alcohol rehab organization honored the star with the 2015 Phoenix Rising Award in June.

"You can't have a drug problem for 30 years and expect to have it be solved in 28 days," Perry told The Hollywood Reporter in the video. "I was very moved by the hope that I saw [at Phoenix House], which is what this all about. Getting sober is a really hard thing to do."

The Phoenix House was established in 1972, and serves more than 5,000 men, women and adolescents in 10 states. Perry got involved with the nonprofit earlier this year, and continues to oversee his Perry House sober living facility.

"I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life and a lot of wonderful accolades," he reflected. "But the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me strop drinking?' I will say, 'Yes. I know how to do that.'"

Perry entered rehab several times for his addiction to alcohol, opiods and amphetamines. The actor said he considers himself a "pretty private person," but struggled with his sobriety very publicly given the popularity of Friends. He played Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom for 10 seasons.

Perry went on to star as Matt Albie on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Ben Donovan on Mr. Sunshine and Ryan King on Go On. He currently portrays Oscar Madison on a CBS adaptation of The Odd Couple featuring Thomas Lennon as Felix Unger.