Adam Clayton credits Eric Clapton for his decision to seek treatment in rehab.

The U2 rocker, who has struggled with depression since he was a teenager, admits that his addiction to alcohol took a serious toll on his relationships with his bandmates, Bono, The Edge and Larry Mullen, before he got sober 21 years ago.

Speaking on RTE's 'The Late Late show,' in Ireland on Friday night (02.05.14), he said: ''Anyone a little bit out of control and drinking too much can be difficult.

''I don't think depression was such a big issue only it led to the drinking and the drinking worsened it.

''I saw the guys in the band the same age as me having much more productive lives than I was.

''I had string of failed relationships and a string of excuses as to why my life wasn't going well and a string of excuses why I wasn't as good a musician as I used to be''.

He added: ''When I was working and on tour I was fine.

''My drinking increased and increased and increased and because I was successful it was covered up and taken care of.''

The 'Ordinary Love' hitmaker, who married Mariana Teixeira De Carvalho last year, realised he need help when he missed a show in Australia in 1993 and turned to his friend Eric for guidance.

The 54-year-old musician said: ''That was the end of my world. The only thing I wanted to do was be in a band and perform great songs.''