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Backstreet Boys’ A.J. McLean reveals plans to help those battling addiction; says daughters help keep him sober

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ABC/Paula LoboIn the wake of rapper Mac Miller’s death of an apparent overdose last week, Backstreet BoysA.J. McLean has revealed that he’s working on a way to help people break free of addiction.

A.J., who has battled addiction himself, tells Entertainment Tonight he’s getting involved with a pharmaceutical company that will be putting out products for struggling addicts.

“One is an at-home opioid detox kit, non-narcotic because one of the biggest [causes of] deaths in the entire world right now is based on opioids,” he says.

He adds, “This will hopefully help addicts get the help they need for a much more affordable price and without having to suffer going to rehab, which is expensive sometimes. We want to avoid them not getting help at all and ending up dead, in jails or in institutions.”

A.J. previously entered rehab in 2001. He credits his family – particularly his two young daughters Ava and Lyric – for helping to keep him sober.

“Having a family and looking my two girls in the eye every single night and every single morning — they’re my lifeline,” he says. “They’re my everything. Them and my wife. So, I would never in a million years want to let them see me drunk or high or dead or in jail.”

He continues, “I’ve been sober now for quite some time and I couldn’t feel any better, honestly. But I do still go to meetings and I have an amazing sponsor. I try to go to meetings five times a week. Last week I only got to go twice, but next week will be five. I try my best.”

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