Scott Storch's $30-Million Cocaine Problem

Producer Scott Storch made a fortune supplying beats for and producing the likes of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and even Paris Hilton, but claims he blew $30 million U.S. (about $36.3 million Canadian) on drugs, cars, houses, jewellery, trips, partying and "poor judgment decisions" during three years of major cocaine addiction.

The Nova Scotia-born Storch, who now lives in Miami and sometimes houses fugitive rappers on the run from the law, was charged with grand theft auto earlier this month. He pleaded not guilty.

Storch has also run afoul of authorities for falling behind on child support and property tax payments.

But the Grammy Award winner told MTV News last week that he's kicked his habit, is in recovery and is making music again.

"Being in the life that I was living — very fast-moving, option to do anything you want, go anywhere you wanna go — it definitely takes its toll on you, and you lose your concept of reality.

"I had to get it under control. I had to take it back to the beginning and back to the Hit Factory, where I made a lot of my hits."

Storch is living in what's called a three-quarter house with a counsellor who keeps tabs on him. The 35-year-old is allowed to go to work in a Miami studio, but has to meet curfews.

"Addiction is a disease, and I have to constantly battle it," Storch told MTV. "I feel so much better and have more clarity, especially in the studio.

"It's cool. It's been a really productive period... With the help of my publisher, TVT, I've had the chance to woodshed and come up with a whole new vibe. I'm very happy right now."

Rolling Stone magazine reported that Storch was worth about $70 million in 2006.

American readers can watch the interview below, but MTV is "unable to offer this video to users" in Canada and other regions: