Jason Wahler has blamed reality show The Hills for exacerbating his alcohol problems. The 20-year-old checked into rehab in May after a string of booze-related arrests, including an incident in 2006 in which Wahler assaulted and hurled racial abuse at a tow-truck driver.

And despite being under legal drinking age in Los Angeles, Wahler, who is now sober and engaged to marry tennis player Katja Decker-Sadowski, insists being well-known in Hollywood only made his drinking worse.

He explains, "I definitely think being on The Hills influenced my problems. You go out in L.A. and club owners and promoters want people on TV to party at their clubs. They throw bottles at you. It was 100 per cent part of the problem."

Wahler also believes he's far from fully recovered, because people want young stars to fall off the wagon in spectacular style.

He adds, "No one is pulling for anyone in Hollywood. They want everyone to fail at being sober. No one helps young stars get their life on track."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)