Despite spending nine weeks off illegal substances Hawkins has decided to call it a day, saying that it would be damaging to his recovery if he were to stay with the band.
Prior to Hawkins admittance into the Priory the band had been working on the third album, which was expected to be released in early 2007. Hawkins has said that the band will carry on without him, with new bassist Richie Edwards stepping forward to take charge of the vocals.
Commenting on life in the band and his battle with drugs Hawkins said "I hit absolute rock bottom, I spent over £150,000 on cocaine in three years - a frightening amount. I was consuming up to five grams a day which cost me £1,000 a week, sometimes more."
Now Hawkins wishes to concentrate on a solo album and branch off into writing music for films.
published: 11/10/2006 19:42
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