WASHINGTON - Michael Jackson battled drug addiction and was advised to lay off anaesthetic Diprivan as a sleep aid, claims the late star’s long-time dermatologist and friend.

Dr. Arnold Klein said that he was aware that the King of Pop, who complained of sleep trouble, was on Diprivan while he toured Germany, and suggested him against its use.

“Michael at one time had an addiction. He went to England and withdrew from that addiction in a secure setting where he went off drugs all together,” CBS News quoted Klein as telling CNN’s Larry King.

He added: “I told him he was absolutely insane. This isn’t a drug you can repeatedly take.”

Jackson died aged 50 on June 25 from an apparent cardiac arrest, which is believed to have stemmed from an overdose of prescription drugs. (ANI)