Johnny Depp has claimed that Amber Heard's accusations about his 'substance abuse' are 'false' and that he didn't need 'to be high'

Johnny Depp says he's 'not a maniac that needs to be high' as he claims Amber Heard lied

Johnny Depp has claimed Amber Heard's assertions about his 'substance abuse' were 'false' and he is 'no maniac that needs to be high'.

The 58-year-old Hollywood star is suing his ex-wife Amber, 35, for defamation in a $50 million trial after he claimed an article Amber wrote about domestic violence had been directed at him.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star has taken the stand to tell the court his story and he spoke about his 'polysubstance abuse', which means he used various drugs rather than just the one.

Speaking about his childhood, Johnny claimed when he was five, he would bring 'nerve pills' to his mother, who he said was abusive towards him during his formative years.

Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)

The court heard Depp would 'take one myself' after seeing how the pills had made his mother happier and it would help him 'escape the chaotic nature of what we were living through.'

Johnny admitted: 'That was the beginning when I realised that nerve pills calmed the nerve. It was a pretty young age to discover that and I'm not proud to admit it, but there was nothing else I could do.'

The actor went on to claim he used drugs, mainly opioids, to 'numb the ghosts of my youth' and that it was 'self medication' rather than wanting 'to go party'.

Image: JIM WATSON/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) JIM WATSON/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

He said by the time he was 11, his experiment with drugs meant 'I wasn't shy to try a substance to see if the effect of it would maybe take a bit more of the edge off.'

Johnny told the court he then had a period of time when he didn't take any substances.

He said: 'There were many years I didn't touch a substance, or didn't have a drink. It's never been for the 'party effect' but to numb my inside from the things that can plague someone who has experienced trauma.

'But the characterisation of my 'substance abuse' that's been delivered by Ms Heard is grossly embellished and I'm sorry to say but a lot of it is just plainly false.'

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

Continuing to speak about Amber's claims, Johnny said: 'I think it was an easy target for her to hit, because once you've trusted someone for years and told them the many secrets of your life, that information can be used against you especially if it's taken to a point that is teetering over impossible at times.

'I am not some maniac who needs to be high or loaded all the time.' Get in touch with us atwebcelebs@mirror.co.ukor call us direct 0207 29 33033.