Cleveland State basketball Coach Kevin Mackey, describing...

Cleveland State basketball Coach Kevin Mackey, describing the last three years of his life as “the descent into hell,” admitted that he is an alcohol and drug abuser.

Mackey, 43, was arrested in his car along with a female companion Friday night after police, acting on a tip, staked out a suspected drug house, saw Mackey emerge and then drive away erratically.

Mackey, who has not been charged with a crime stemming from drug use, said at a news conference that he has been a drug abuser for about three years and was unable to control his drinking the past five years. The father of three spoke with his wife Kathleen, son Brian and brother Steven near him.

Lawyer David Roth asked Cleveland State officials to grant Mackey a medical leave of absence.