By ROGER HITTS

Country superstar Keith Urban has a hellish drug past that will shock girlfriend Nicole Kidman. The singer has confessed he was brought to his knees by his addiction to cocaine as he battled loneliness and rejection in his quest for stardom.

Friends say the 38-year-old Aussie was also hooked on booze and is known as Nashville's country Casanova, who has left a trail of broken hearts in his wake.

"Keith calls himself a work in progress," a close friend said. "The question is if he can keep on the straight and narrow for Nicole's sake. But I think the real trouble will come when Nicole is not around and he's left to his own devices."

Keith was named Entertainer Of The Year at the CMA Awards on November 15. His ride to the top has brought him fame, money and the girl of his dreams in Oscar-winner Nicole. But by his own admission, he still battles the demons of drugs and alcohol every day of his life. "I don't know that you ever beat it," he said in an interview. "It's a struggle for me, because I hate the straight road, too. I find it very monotonous and boring."

Another close friend said: "He's got his life under control more than ever now, and Nicole has been great for him. But with Keith, it seems there's danger always lurking around the corner. Watch out Nicole — Keith's got a wild streak in him a mile wide!"

For more on Keith Urban, pick up this week's issue of The National Enquirer.