In February 2009, Carter revealed a 10-year struggle with drug and alcohol addiction that resulted in him being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle, in 2007. Now clean and healthy, Carter told People Magazine, "I don't want to die. I don't want to be that person people read about and think, 'That's sad that he couldn't stop it and killed himself.'"People: Nick Carter: Alcohol... (February 5, 2009) Carter also disclosed details of his drug use on The Ellen DeGeneres Show which aired on February 19, 2009.US Weekly: Nick Carter Opens Up About "Excessive" Drug, Alcohol Use (February 19, 2009)

"I would either go out at night or party [while on tour with the Backstreet Boys]. I didn't do a lot of morning drinking or anything of that sort. It would sort of be an occasional thing, but a lot of occasions that I would kind of make excuses to just go out to drink and party. It would be excessive."US Weekly: Nick Carter Opens Up About "Excessive" Drug, Alcohol Use (February 19, 2009)

"I got the DUI and I realized that it was wrong. I decided to go and sort of punish myself. I went to the classes, did the community service and did everything that I was required to do. Then I would end up in a situation where I was like, 'Ok well I'll stop for six months and then after that, I would feel like it's OK to get back into it.' And sort of fool myself in a way."US Weekly: Nick Carter Opens Up About "Excessive" Drug, Alcohol Use (February 19, 2009)

"My goal in life is to be the best person that I can be and try as hard as I can. I make mistakes, but...I realize that I'm human and...I don't punish myself for those mistakes. [I] continuously try to be that better person."US Weekly: Nick Carter Opens Up About "Excessive" Drug, Alcohol Use (February 19, 2009)