Scottish Actor Gerard Butler in Rehab For Substance Abuse

Scottish actor Gerard Butler has reportedly checked into a rehab facility following his growing dependence on prescription pills (mainly painkillers), which he used to tackle his back pain.

The 42-year-old star, who reportedly checked into the Betty Ford Centre in Rancho Mirage (California) three weeks ago, claims that he sought professional help after his reliance on pain-killers blew way out of proportion.

However, the "300" star, after completing a successful three-week course, checked out of the facility on February 24.

"Gerard has completed a successful course of treatment and returned home in good health. We will not be making any further comment at this time," The Sun quoted a facility spokesman as saying.

According to TMZ reports, the Paisley-born actor's back problem initially started while filming the hit movie "300."

"When you finish filming your whole routine changes and suddenly you don't have to do what you did anymore. It's kind of weird. You feel a little lost. You don't have to hold yourself the same way physically. There was definitely a period of adjustment and physical pain because I stopped training. That was the worst thing I could have done," The Sun quoted Butler as saying.

The problem worsened after the talented Scot had a bad surfing accident in California, while filming his forthcoming comedy "Of Men And Mavericks."

"It was a pretty close call. The waves just took me in, and I couldn't get up. It was pretty hairy. It was maybe of of the few times that reports were not exaggerated," the Daily Mail quoted Butler as saying.

However, this is not the first addiction related problem that has plagued the scot actor, Butler had earlier revealed in an interview that he had abused alcohol since the age of sixteen and had been drinking ever since till recently, when he decided to give up alcohol.

"I had gone from a 16-year-old who couldn't wait to grasp life to a 22-year-old who didn't care if he died in his sleep. I used to drink until I couldn't remember anything. I was just mad for it and on a death wish," The Sun quoted the actor as saying.

"One or two drinks was never enough for me. I was a foot-on-the-floor-all-the-way drinker, so it had to go. I don't miss it," he added.