Wendy Williams Starts Substance Abuse Hotline After Bizarre Behavior & Mysterious Absence

Wendy Williams has launched a substance abuse hotline — weeks after she blamed her bizarre on-screen behavior on pain meds and took a weeks-long hiatus from her show for very mysterious reasons.

The host announced the 888-5HUNTER hotline on Monday's episode of The Wendy Williams Show, just one week upon her return.

RadarOnline.com readers know the star struggled with cocaine addiction during the early years of her career. She opened up about her drug habit various times before, even telling ET "It's a miracle I was able to stop" because she was a very "functioning addict" and her drug use never impacted her ability to succeed at her job.

She also talked about her addiction struggles on her show earlier this month.

"You know this about me. I told you I've had my about with substance abuse. Once you're a substance abuse user, you have to battle that for the rest of your life," she said. "Crack is wack. I was a mess, killing myself. I realized I am a walking addict. You can't just clean it up and stop it. I wasted a lot of my life burning my insides."

Now, her 24-hour helpline will be connected with The Hunter Foundation, a philanthropic organization launched by her and her family in 2014.

Addicts seeking help will be aided by certified recovery coaches, who will conduct evaluations and match callers with the appropriate treatment facilities. These include detox, rehabilitation, sober living and outpatient centers, according to the press release.

It will also offer educational resources to the addicts and their families.

"During active addiction we or our loved ones lose the connection to what brings joy, as it is replaced by drugs and alcohol. Through recovery those suffering with addiction are brought back to things that matter most in their lives," reads the description in The Hunter Foundation website.