NEW YORK (AP) - Steven Tyler sought the ''safe environment'' of rehab last month to recover from more than just surgery - the Aerosmith frontman now says was fighting a dependency on pain and sleep medication.

''To have your feet done, to have your leg done, you have to be on narcotics,'' Tyler told The Associated Press on Friday. ''You have to be on sleep aids at night. I don't know about Joe (Perry) but I was off and running and I didn't like the me that was me.''

Tyler released a statement in late May saying he checked into a rehab facility in search of a ''safe environment'' to recover from several foot surgeries and physical therapy. Tyler said the procedures were to correct longtime foot injuries resulting from his physical performances as the singer for the blues-rock band.

''This was a month ago, so I just put the brakes on and checked into detox and just pulled the plug on all of it,'' he told the AP on Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, where he and bandmates were promoting ''Guitar Hero 3: Aerosmith.''

The 60-year-old was known for heavy drug and alcohol abuse in the 1970s and early 1980s, but completed rehabilitation in 1986, after which Aerosmith enjoyed a successful revival.

By JOHN CARUCCI Associated Press Writer

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