Richie Sambora was sober both times he went to rehab

He told the new issue of Guitar World magazine: "I've been in rehab twice, and I went sober both times. I learned a lot, and listen, I'm not bulls******* you - you can ask - I became like a counsellor to people.

"I was going, 'Hold on a minute. Let's go see where the demons are.'"

Richie was committed to doing "the work" in rehab.

He added: "The psychiatrists and everybody were wonderful. I enjoy therapy."

The 65-year-old musician - who has 26-year-old daughter Ava with ex-wife Heather Locklear - wanted to discuss his positive experiences after being frustrated with his depiction in Hulu docuseries 'Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story'.

Referring to his abrupt 2013 departure from the band, he said: "One of the things... that was reflected in the documentary [was] that people thought I was, what, a drunkard? Like I didn't show up one day because I was high? That doesn't make any sense to anybody."

The 'I Pray' rocker writes new music "every day" and has enjoyed reinventing himself away from the band.

He said: "People think I stopped working since I left Bon Jovi, but I went right back to work on solo records and the music I did with [ex-girlfriend Orianthi].

"I look at myself as a new artist. Now, other people might not - they relate to me for what I've done, and I love what I did with Bon Jovi.

"I'm not ever saying anything bad about that because we did a bunch of damage in this world, and we had a great time. But right now, it's a new game."