AUSTIN POWERS - TROYER'S DRINK PROBLEM EXACERBATED BY MARRIAGE

AUSTIN POWERS star VERNE TROYER relied heavily on alcohol to cope with his turbulent marriage to GENEVIEVE GALLEN. The pint-sized actor admits to drinking his weight in alcohol in an attempt to deal with their marital problems, but says it contributed to the eventual break-up of his marriage. In October 2002 the 38-year-old nearly died of alcohol poisoning after being distraught following their split after two months of marriage. He says, "When I was dating her she had a lot of problems. I was trying as much as I could to help her but I couldn't concentrate on myself. "I am not blaming her but while dealing with Genevieve's problems I ended up drinking a lot." Troyer sought help for his alcoholism in Michigan's Jim Gilmore Junior rehab facility, but he suffered a setback in January (07). He says, "I would never say I am cured. I need to stay sober. But I am happy where I am at. I'm in the best place of my life."