Home and Away star Kate Ritchie admits she is in rehab for 'an unhealthy reliance on alcohol' after stepping down from her Nova show due to stress following drink-driving charge

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Home and Away star Kate Ritchie has admitted she has checked into a private Sydney rehab centre to get help for 'alcohol dependency'.

The actress, 44, released a statement on her Instagram page on Thursday, saying  the last year had been challenging and stressful and led to an 'unhealthy reliance on alcohol'. 

It comes after she was spotted entering an exclusive rehab clinic in Sydney on Sunday.  

Ritchie confirmed she would be taking a break from her Nova radio show until 2023. 

She stepped down from her hit show in October after being charged with drink-driving just weeks earlier.

'As announced previously I am taking a break until next year. The last year has been incredibly emotionally challenging, as well as a relentless schedule, stress, and a lack of sleep. I came to realise that this had led to an unhealthy reliance on alcohol,' she said in her statement. 

Home and Away star Kate Ritchie has admitted she is getting help for 'alcohol dependency' after she was spotted entering exclusive rehab centre in Sydney on Sunday

'So I decided to use this time to do something positive by getting the help I need from professionals who specialise in this area. As everyone would understand, this is a very big step for me to take. I want to sincerely thank everybody who is supporting me.' 

The center runs inpatient and day programs for those who 'experience problems with alcohol and other drugs' and the 'assessment and treatment of mental health conditions'.

The clinic has a 'multidisciplinary team including consultant psychiatrists and addictions specialists, nurses, exercise physiologists, social workers, psychologists and psychotherapists'.

On Sunday, Ritchie was seen carrying bags as she entered the facility. 

The actress, 44, released a statement on her Instagram page on Thursday, saying the last year had been challenging and stressful and led to an 'unhealthy reliance on alcohol' 

On Sunday, Ritchie was seen carrying bags as she entered the facility 

Ritchie took one of the family help books she's written, Everyday Play, which includes recipes and activities for children and their parents. 

She was dropped off at the clinic by her mother, Heather.

The following Monday afternoon, Ritchie - dressed casually in blue jeans with matching denim shirt and a handbag over her shoulder - was picked up from the clinic by her mum. 

Ritchie arrived to the clinic with her mother Heather in a SUV, before collecting her items out of the car and entering the facility

Ritchie was carrying several shopping bags and a woven bag

She took one of the family help books she's written, Everyday Play, which includes recipes and activities for children and their parents

Daily Mail Australia made multiple attempts to seek comment from Ritchie's management. 

An industry insider said the clinic was popular with on-air talent as it was relatively discreet. 

'They have a good strike rate and day programs allow patients to come and go and continue to see family and work while getting help,' the insider said.

'This time of year is perfect also as its non-ratings period, most people are out of the city holidaying and networks are winding down'.

Ritchie surprised listeners in October when she announced she was leaving her hit Nova drive show for the rest of the year due to stress. 

Nova announced her departure in a pre-recorded clip rather than it being read live on air, suggesting management might have wanted Ritchie to stick firmly to a prepared script.

On Monday, Ritchie, dressed casually in blue jeans with matching denim shirt and a handbag over her shoulder, was again collected by her mum and returned home 

'Everyone on radio was going: "Wow, that was weird, she ain't coming back",' one radio insider told Daily Mail Australia at the time, with speculation mounting she will never return to the show.

Shortly after the announcement, a radio insider claimed she may not return to the Nova drive program and could be replaced by substitute co-host Ricki-Lee Coulter.

Ritchie is said to have lost the support of fellow presenter Tim Blackwell, who is keen to have popular singer Coulter on the national Kate, Tim & Joel show permanently.

Third team member, comedian Joel Creasey, remains a fan of Ritchie but Blackwell is the 20-year broadcasting professional who runs the program and the industry insider says he will get what he wants.

Coulter, who proved popular as part of Nova's Sydney breakfast team in 2010, was hosting Network Seven's Australia's Got Talent, on which Ritchie was a judge.

'Kate returning next year is not a certainty,' the insider told Daily Mail Australia of Ritchie's future at Nova.

'Management love Kate but she's been MIA a lot this year and Ricki-Lee has done a great job filling in. That's created a dilemma. Tim is a big fan of Ricki-Lee and Joel is in the Kate fan club.' 

She carried just one bag along with her handbag across her chest 

Ritchie shocked her fans and loyal listeners in October when she announced she was leaving her hit Nova drive show for the rest of the year due to stress

Rumours about Ritchie's future at Nova began swirling after it emerged she returned a reading of 0.06 - just over the legal limit - when she was stopped by police for a random breath test in her Subaru station wagon at Pagewood at 2.45pm on August 22.  

Ritchie was fined $600, suspended from driving for three months, and apologised on Instagram.

'Recently I undertook a random breath test,' she wrote. 'Although it was low level, the test came back positive.

'I made a poor decision and there is no doubt I understand the seriousness of my actions. I am truly sorry.'

At the time, listeners noted Ritchie's frequent absences from the show in recent years.

In August she was charged with drink-driving in Sydney's south-east. She was stopped by police for a random breath test in her Subaru station wagon at Pagewood at 2.45pm on August 22 and returned a reading of 0.06 - just over the legal limit 

At one point in 2020, she took seven consecutive weeks of leave from the program, which a radio figure said was 'unheard of' in the industry.

However, another well-placed radio source said her exit had nothing to do with the drink-driving scandal and management was desperate to get her back in the chair.

The source insisted her statement on-air about being stressed and exhausted from her schedule was the real reason for her absence.

Ritchie had said: 'We love our audience and they seem to put up with us.

'And as you may have guessed, I invest a lot of emotional energy into everything I do, my work, and my family especially, and the last few months I have been working on radio, I've been returning to TV and in my spare time, I even wrote a children's book.

Ritchie shocked her fans and loyal listeners in October when she announced she was leaving her hit Nova drive show for the rest of the year due to stress 

'So, it's simple, like some of you, I imagine, I'm tired and I just need a break for a short while and have more time for me, and for my family, to re-energise.

'I have spoken with the bosses at Nova, and they have graciously agreed that this is a good time to take the break, as we approach the end of the year.

'Nova has been fabulous and understanding, so thank you Nova, and thank you Tim, Joel and the team, and most importantly, thank you to all of our fabulous listeners. I really mean that.

'It's time to recharge the batteries and come back fresh next year. And although it's only for a short time, I will miss you all. I'll see you in the New Year.'

Ritchie shares eight-year-old daughter Mae with her ex-husband Stuart Webb.

The couple split in 2020 after 10 years of marriage.

Ritchie grew up in front of Australian television audiences after first appearing as Sally Fletcher on Home and Away at just nine in 1988.

She appeared on the program for the next 20 years, winning the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality in 2007 and 2008 and Silver Logies for Most Popular Actress from 2006 to 2008.

For confidential support call Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on: 13 11 14 or visit  https://www.lifeline.org.au/ 

Ritchie shares one child - eight-year-old daughter Mae - with her ex husband Stuart Webb. The couple split in 2020 after 10 years of marriage (above in happier times)