Britney Spears had been on a 24-hour meth binge before hospitalization

Britney Spears had been on a 24-hour meth binge before she was rushed to hospital earlier today, according to a shocking new report from the US.

Ironically, the singer - who reportedly hasn't slept for three days, was desperately trying to stay awake - because she was terrified that if she fell asleep, her family would "drag her off to a mental institution," according to sources close to the 26-year-old pop wreck.

The drama unfolded at 2 a.m. Wednesday when Britney and her self-styled manager Sam Lutfi checked into the Beverly Hills Hotel and she began doing meth.

In addition to the Toxic' singer's psychiatric problems, the National Enquirer claims that Britney is addicted to crystal meth - which allegedly  played a key role in her recent hospitalization; friends told her mother, Lynne, that she hadn't slept since last Saturday.

Experts say that Britney's behavior perfectly fits that of someone going on met binges.

"In heavy doses the drug causes nervousness, paranoia, complete loss of judgment, hallucinations ad extremely bizarre behavior," said Dr James Cocores, a well-known expert on drug addiction.

"Meth users lose their grip on reality and will sacrifice their careers, kids and families to keep using the drug."

Her drug-taking went on all day, interrupted only by brief dashes to her home.

Secret arrangements for her hospitalization had been made — but no-one wanted it to happen at the hotel.

Finally, at 8 pm, Brit's on-off paparzzo boyfriend Adnan Ghalib persuaded her to go home.

"The doctor came over but Britney was very spacey," says a source.

"She was eerily quiet — when they called her name she wouldn't even look at them. It was like she was deaf.

"A psychiatrist who came to examine her put the hospital plan into operation.

Spears is currently being held at the UCLA Medical Center, where she is believed to be on a  51500 hold - for the second time in a month.

The first occurred on January 3 this year, when she locked herself in the bathroom and refused to give up custody of her sons to ex-hubby Kevin Federline.

On that night, the 'Gimme More' star was strapped down on a stretcher, looking dazed and confused, before being loaded onto an ambulance and taken to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills.

By Owen Williams, Feb 01 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy