Former drug addict Christian admits he has tried to help the 24-year-old star - who finished her fifth rehab stay in early January - by sending her an email because he understands how difficult it is to deal with dependency issues.

He said: "Addiction is not pretty and you don`t fully understand it unless you`re dealing with it head-on.

"That`s why when I see other kids struggling, I will sometimes reach out to them - a call or an email."

Asked specifically if he has helped the `Mean Girls` actress, he said: "Sure, of course.

"I appreciated the people who reached out to me. It`s a brutal position to be in. You feel alone and confused over where your life went and how you got yourself in this situation."

Christian, 41, reveals his time in jail - for drunk driving and assault - helped him sort out his problems because it allowed him to "take some time" away from his friends and family.

He told Details magazine: "Jail was a result of me not taking time for myself. So I was forced to take some time for myself. It was necessary for me. When you`re going down that path, you either kill yourself or you?re forced to take some time out."

Christian - who claims to have been sober for five years - is the second star in recent days to give advice to Lindsay.

Charlie Sheen, who recently went on a 36 hour drink-and-drugs bender, said the actress should learn to work on her "impulse control".

He said: "I`ve got some things I`d recommend she consider. Work on your impulse control. Just try to think things through a little before you do ?em."
sections: Celebrities