That's the truth, he didn't admit his problem at some noble time. He did it when his back was against the wall and the world is crashing down on him. All thanks to drugs.
When is a "noble time?" Maybe until this came out, he hadn't totally recognized how addicted he was, or how addicted he was in the view of the rest of the country. Addiction comes in many forms.
"There, but for the grace of God, go I"