Binge drinking, over-medicating and family interventions: Married At First Sight stars reveal how the show ruined their lives - with Ines Basic fearing 'she would die' after the reunion
Married At First Sight's sixth season smashed ratings records earlier this year.
But the explosive social experiment also pushed its most controversial participants over the edge, with some turning to alcohol and pills to cope with their infamy.
Now, almost three months after the finale aired, several cast members have bravely spoken out about how they're gradually re-building their lives.
Binge drinking, over-medicating and family interventions: Married At First Sight stars reveal how the show ruined their lives. Pictured: Ines Basic in Brisbane on Thursday, March 7
Speaking to WHO on Thursday, Ines Basic said she was 'traumatised' after watching her scenes back, adding that they were unfairly edited to make her look bad.
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On the show, she infamously cheated on her 'husband' Bronson Norrish with Sam Ball, before Sam later dumped her despite promising they'd have a future together.
Heartbroken, Ines said she 'can't remember' filming the reunion episode in which she confronted Sam because she was so 'over-medicated' on Valium.
Controversial: On the show, Ines infamously cheated on her 'husband' Bronson Norrish with Sam Ball (right), before Sam later dumped her despite promising they'd have a future together
Heartbroken: Ines 'can't remember' filming the reunion episode in which she confronted Sam because she was so 'over-medicated' on Valium. Pictured arriving for the reunion in January
The 29-year-old was prescribed the 'heavy medication' due to the trauma of filming MAFS and continued to take it after the show began airing on TV.
As the public backlash against her mounted, her wait plummeted by 12kg and Ines feared she would die.
'I was so scared I would die if I lost another kilo,' she said, before adding that she is no longer taking Valium and is on her way back to a healthy weight.
Married At First Sight also took its toll on 'bad boy' Sam, although he did not resort to alcohol or prescription medication to cope.
Valium habit: The 29-year-old was prescribed the 'heavy medication' due to the trauma of filming MAFS and continued to take it after the show began airing on TV
Traumatised: Married At First Sight also took its toll on 'bad boy' Sam, although he did not resort to alcohol or prescription medication to cope. Pictured in April
On Thursday, Sam told WHO that his family staged an intervention, forcing him to seek medical help due to his anxiety and depression.
'My family got into my head and said, "You need to see someone,"' he said.
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old tradesman also decided to take 'break' from social media this week by temporarily deleting his Instagram account.
Rock bottom: On Thursday, Sam told WHO that his family staged an intervention, forcing him to seek medical help due to his anxiety and depression
'I just want a break for a bit, if not indefinitely,' Sam told his 82,000 followers.
'This Instagram s**t, where do I start? I think I need a break. I don't need it, I'm busy. I have great friends and family around me, and a busy lifestyle. I'm getting out of it.'
Sam previously revealed he had suffered with mental health problems for years, and once contemplated taking his own life.
'Severe depression, anxiety, feelings of loneliness, panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, you name it and I have felt it, I broke down,' he said.
Backlash: Jessika Power experienced the worst backlash of all the MAFS participants this year
'I drank four bottles of wine a day': After cheating on her 'husband' Mick Gould with Dan Webb, Jessika started binge drinking and taking prescription medication to cope with the relentless death threats she was receiving from members of the public
Jessika Power experienced the worst backlash of all the MAFS participants this year.
After cheating on her 'husband' Mick Gould with Dan Webb, she started binge drinking and taking prescription medication to cope with the relentless death threats she was receiving from members of the public.
'I drank four bottles of wine a day,' said the 27-year-old, adding that she was almost hospitalised due to her alcohol abuse.
Following her split with Dan, which took place during a live Talking Married interview on April 8, Jessika 'spiralled' into self-destructive behaviour.
She eventually had to seek help from friends and family to get back on track.
Downhill: Following her split with Dan, which took place during a live Talking Married interview on April 8, Jessika 'spiralled' into self-destructive behaviour
A spokesperson for Endemol Shine Australia, who produce Married At First Sight, told WHO magazine: 'The participants' well-being and safety is always our first priority and at no time during filming did anyone express concern for their safety.
'Participants are provided with psychological support throughout filming and the offer to support remains through the broadcast and beyond.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.
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