Lady Gaga drug and alcohol use after hip surgery: 'ARTPOP' songstress admits to substance abuse during wheelchair stint, 'pure and happy' today

In February 2013, Mother Monster (aka Lady Gaga) underwent hip surgery and was confined to a wheelchair for several weeks. Gaga was forced to cancel a handful of US dates on her "Born This Way Ball" tour, and the release of the songstress' highly-anticipated new album ARTPOP was delayed. In a recent interview with the popular German newspaper Blid, Gaga admits that she turned to alcohol and drugs during this hard time. But the "Applause" beauty has since kicked the dangerous habit, and insists that she's as "pure and happy" as ever.

The 27-year-old pop starlet reveals, "I turned to drugs and alcohol [when in my wheelchair]. Now I want to tell my fans: Don't do the same. Today I feel pure, sheer - happy!"

Thank goodness for that... Little Monsters would be devastated to see Gaga join the "27 Club" along with talented musicians like Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, etc.

Meanwhile, a healthy Lady Gaga continues promoting her highly-anticipated third studio album ARTPOP which hits stores on November 8.